The Voyages of Marco Polo, designed by Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, the team behind Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar and Lorenzo il Magnifico, was a 2015 Kennerspiel des Jahres Recommended game and end up on several “Best of 2015” game lists (see “Two 'Best New Games of 2015' Lists”).
Now Z-Man will release Agents of Venice, which contains two modules that can be played individually with the base game or together. Marco Polo has returned to Venice and players will now need to build their reputations to gain access to the city’s bazaars (or use the companions from their travels to give them a boost). The business associates/companions module allows players to bring interesting people along on their travels. Each companion provides a unique benefit, such as reducing the number of goods needed for a contract, or lending money. Companions only stick around for one round though. The expansion also includes new contracts, city cards, goals, bonuses and characters.The box contains 14 contracts & other tiles, 9 companions, 5 characters, 1 player board, 20 cards, 48 tokens & 6 dice, 1 Venice board, and a rulebook. The game is for 2 – 5 players, ages 12 and up, and plays in 60 – 150 minutes. As an expansion, it requires the base game to play. MSRP is $39.99.