Gameplay

In Machi Koro 2 players build a city out of establishments and landmarks, just as in the first version of the game.

Players roll 1 or 2 dice, collect coins if they've got establishments gaining them coins and get to build either one establishment or one landmark each turn paying its cost. The first player to build three landmarks wins the game.

👉 So where lie the differences with the first game?

✨ The establishments and landmarks are seperated in decks. 2 decks for Establishments, 1-6 and 7-12 and 1 deck for the Landmarks. This ensures more variety in different games.

✨ There are more/different landmarks available to choose from and to buy them you pay the 1st, 2nd or 3rd price, depending on how many landmarks you already built.

✨ You may start with rolling 1 or 2 dice immediately.

✨ The artwork is borderless and the graphic design show combo when the cards are combocards.

✨ There are some new cards and there is a playeraid included in the new version.

Thoughts

Overall I appreciate Machi Koro. It's a fun filler game and a great game to play with kids, it has that addictive vibe to it!

MK2 specifically has some really nice improvements in comparison to MK1, so if choosing between the two I'd definitely recommend getting this second version. If however you own the 1st game, you should keep in mind that the gameplay remains the same.

👍 The push your luck and take that elements work very well with the length of the game. Kids often tend to like these mechanics.

👍 I really like the implementation of the market of cards, especially for the Landmark cards. Because different cards show up each game feels different and players are able to try out new strategies.

👍 The borderless artwork is great!

➖ MK2 doesn't really feel like a new game, more like an improved version of the first version. I would've liked to see some new ways to combine cards or in general some new elements.

8/10