The Voyages of Marco Polo
- Designer Simone Luciani , Daniele Tascini
- Publisher Hans im Glück , 999 Games , Albi , Albi Polska , Arclight Games
- Illustration Dennis Lohausen
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players recreate journeys along the Silk Road, starting in Venice and placing trading posts in cities like Samarkand and Beijing. Over five rounds each player rolls personal dice and places them to take actions: gather resources or money, acquire contracts, travel or use city powers. Higher dice values unlock better options but can increase costs if opponents contest the same action. Endgame scoring rewards contracts, trading posts in Beijing and secret destination cards.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at medium-weight gamers (expert/enthusiast audience), it suits players who enjoy engine-building and resource management. With a playtime around 100 minutes it requires planning and patience. Familiarity with dice-placement and euro mechanisms helps.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Dice Rolling, Contracts and Point-to-Point Movement: each round players roll personal dice and place them to claim actions that produce resources, money, contracts or allow travel. Turn Order: Claim Action affects costs when multiple players take the same action. End Game Bonuses and fulfilled contracts determine final scoring.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, the game combines dice placement with route selection and contract fulfilment. It won the International Gamers Award (Multiplayer) 2015 and the Deutscher Spiele Preis 2015 (Best Family/Adult Game). The historical Silk Road setting with cities like Venice and Beijing frames decisions.
Awards
2015
2015
2015
2015
- 2016 Niederländischer Spielepreis - Expertenspiel — Winner
- 2015 Cardboard Republic Tactician Laurel — Nominated
- 2015 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game — Winner
Pro
- Effective blend of dice-placement and route planning
- Different historical characters with unique abilities increase replayability
- Contracts and endgame bonuses create clear strategic aims
- Award-winning: Deutscher Spiele Preis 2015 and International Gamers Award 2015
Contra
- Playtime (~100 minutes) can feel long for casual groups
- Learning curve for new players due to multiple interacting mechanics
Setting & Atmosphäre
A 13th-century trade and travel theme along the Silk Road: from Venice through cities such as Samarkand to Beijing. The setting is focused on trading posts and city-based actions.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus early on familiarizing yourself with basic actions (resources, contracts, travel) and how varying dice values change options before pursuing complex combos.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is listed for 2–4 players; a solo mode is not indicated.
How long does a game really take?
Typical playtime is about 100 minutes; explanation and setup will extend total session time.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with euro mechanics like resource management and dice placement is helpful; the game fits a medium-weight audience.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its mix of Dice Rolling for action choice, Point-to-Point Movement and Contracts emphasizes route and contract management within a euro framework.
Is this suitable for families?
Minimum age is 12; due to complexity and length it is more suitable for older family members or hobby families.
What mechanic makes it special?
The standout mechanic is Dice Rolling combined with Turn Order: Claim Action, which ties action selection to dice values and contested costs.
Fazit
A strong pick for players who like strategic dice management and route planning; best if you have 90–120 minutes and some euro-game experience.
