Marco Polo II: In the Service of the Khan Review with Tom Vasel

Tom Vasel takes a look at the new Marco Polo!

00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Overview
11:11 - Final Thoughts

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[guillermoz]

I've had Marco Polo in my wishlist since I got into this hobby years back but never got the chance to pick it up..
Excited that Tom was excited for this new game and Seal of Excellence!
Must buy for sure 😁

[matthew.strout]

I LOVE the first and I’ll be getting this as well. I’m very glad they decided to make it!

[esbenarildrasmussen]

"I think traveling in Marco Polo 2 is much more interesting". Just the thing I wanted to hear! Sold my copy of the first one cause the traveling so rarely was a liable strategy, at least in the 6 games I played.

[adamp]

I own the first, and love it. I'm fine with a new Marco Polo map, so this is a solid addition to my collection.

[graphycus]

I don't know. It definitely feels a very solid game, but it also seems that there is too much going on there. There's stuff everywhere you go, anything you do and the board itself is just feels "too much". I think MP1 is a bit more streamlined, more straightforward as well as the characters of it, but it's also more unforgiving. If you don't plan carefully ahead you'll screw yourself up. MP2 seems a bit more sandboxy and point-salady than MP1. You can't go wrong, because you always have an almost-ideal spot where you can go.

[benlauson]

I love the first one, and love playing with the Marco Polo character haha. I never thought of the travel being very restricting till I read everyone else complain about it.

[Reterte]

I own Marco Polo and at first, from just the quick look, I thought they just re-designed the art on the box :-) But I was so wrong! My friend picked a copy of MP2 at Essen for me, I've played quite a few games already and I just love it! It's quite similar (iconology is the same, usage of the dice as well...) but there are some really good working new mechanics, especially travelling is sooo much fun! I absolutely recommend this to worker-placement lovers, including the ones who already have and like original MP. I honestly think it's worth the investment.

[nickwatt]

The whole time Tom was saying you don't need both, all I could hear was, "Figure out a way to buy this and make room for it to set next to it's predecessor on your shelf."

[chadikewood]

I loved how tight the traveling is in Marco polo. after a few plays you should be able to get to 2-3 of your city goals fairly easy. four is a good feeling of accomplishment and can come down to the final round. I have lost to contract only players and I have had victories vs. contract only players. I don't care, I just have fun trying to accomplish my goals. I'm excited to try the new one out. Anyone know when it's supposed to hit the U.S.?

[Fighterfan]

Great review and interesting conundrum to own both or not. My wife really likes Marco Polo yet the movement restrictions kind of hamper it for her. This one looks better in part there's more you can do. That said, I have everything for Marco Polo. I don't think I will own this one for quite some time. There are many games on the horizon coming to me from Kickstarters and others that I have either traded or pre-ordered that will keep us busy for quite some time.

[DolGuldur]

Hello, I have a question, on a trip with 3 dice, all fives, from Hormuz to Kabul, I arrive at the 3rd city and I find an output bonus tile that allows me to travel one more place and continue to Chengdu. Do I place my trading posts in Pagan Kabul and Chengdu? Or only in Kabul, where do I end my trip and a bonus for using 3 dice, would I have to choose between pagan or chengdul? Is the bonus tile cancelled? I appreciate if you help me, thank you!!

[PhilHenDrums]

Very helpful thoughts. We love the first VoMP, but I really was wondering whether having both is worthwhile. Happy to save my money for something different.

[РоманЦирулев]

I was wondering why you hadn't mentioned it in your pre-Essen podcast among dozens of other anticipated games!

[chrismusix]

They were going to call it 'Marco Pollo', but they were too chicken.

[bruchino]

IMO: MP1 is sweaty brain burner (although I played it just a few times), MP2 is much more fun, gives more satisfaction at the end (own it).

[windyhillbomber]

Have never played MPI. But if forced to buy, MPII looks the better option

[MrGgabber]

Not trying to be mean, but it's very "noob" to think you don't need to travel in MP1

[briancherry]

Its too bad I just got Marco Polo then. I think I would have rather this one... but don't need both, and cant be bothered to sell it. Thanks for the review!

[Bierzgal]

So we kind of know how well does MP1 fare vs. MP2. But how about MP1+expansion vs. MP2? I'd love to know since I own and really like MP1 but I'm yet to buy the expansion for it. Unless the opinion at the end of the review allready considered MP1 with the Agents of Venice expansion.

[Puzzu]

Awesome, thanks for the great review and comparison, I don’t own the first but really enjoyed it so this is a no brainer to get!