The Voyages of Marco Polo

Item: The Voyages of Marco Polo
Rating: 69
Author: Board Game Tavern

Overall rankJoint#151 of 353

Cross Asia on dice, camels and rule-bending character powers.

Game rating: 69/100
Players: 2–4
Play time: 100min
Age: 12+

Buy the game

Our review

A dice placement game about following Marco Polo's route. You place dice to buy camels, spice, silk and gold, fill contracts and travel through cities between Europe and Beijing. Each player gets a different historical character whose power bends the rules. It suits anyone who likes a tight economy with a strong personal twist.

About the game

Cross Asia on dice, camels and rule-bending character powers.

Rating breakdown

Fun Factor: 20/25; How engaging and enjoyable the game is.
Gameplay Depth: 17/25; Meaningful choices, replayability, and room to improve.
Ease of Use: 14/25; How easy it is to learn the rules and get started.
Craftsmanship: 18/25; Component quality, artwork, and production finish.

What works

Ten character tiles in the box, from changing any die face to starting on the far side of the board.
A taken space is still open, but you pay extra based on the die already there.
Goal cards reward reaching matching cities, so the map pulls you in a direction.