Machi Koro: Harbor Expansion

My kids introduced me to Machi Koro last year and it quickly became a standard part of game nights. Due to the rapid play of the original, we could get in two or three games before going on to something more involved. On it's own, the original version was quick but somewhat limited as we found winning was more about the luck of the roll than anything else.With Harbor Expansion, it's as if the designers re-invented their own game, adding so many new elements and businesses that the game itself plays quite differently, especially from a strategic point of view. The aspect of luck still plays a huge part because if you don't roll the number(s) you need, you'll not get the money required to buy your target cards. However, the drawing from the deck factor brings a new level of strategy and luck to the mix, and forces you to choose between waiting for the things you want or buying repeats or less desired ones to open up new space for another draw.We found that the breezy sprint to the finish concept of the original was replaced by a longer, and, at times, more stressful and competitive game. Indeed, there are more red cards in this expansion so that no number is safe from another player stealing your money on any roll. The longer time to complete means that your luck could change over the course of the play, giving everyone a chance. There are a lot of ways to win and each game presents fresh chances to adapt to the luck of the draw.We liked this game a lot as it felt like a brand new game. Many of the strategies you used for the original Machi Koro are useless here. You can't base your plans on buying certain cards because those cards might not be available until it's too late. Example: last night's game was completed without every turning up a forest (5) or a ranch (2), heretofore good cards to buy early in the game when you are likely to only be rolling one die. Also the purple 6 cards, powerful players in the original version, have been rendered somewhat irrelevant by more powerful new choices.The only downside for some is that it's now a longer and a bit more intense. Then again, as I keep repeating, this is essentially a new game, so throw a lot of your preconceptions out the window. If your family is up for a smart mix of the old and the new, you'll love Machi Koro: Harbor Expansion. Just enter with an open mind.

A very solid expansion. It adds some great cards, no surprise. More of the cards you need to complete means the game goes longer now. I think that's good. We sort of felt like we were just getting rolling in the base game, and then someone would win. That makes it a little bit of a sprint, and maybe that's a good feel for you, our group felt rushed. The expansion adds a marketplace concept too, so not all the cards are available to buy, all the time. That's a good thing, avoids the rush for certain cards, forces you to consider some of the other cards. Brings all the cards into the game. Machi Koro was a good game, the expansion improves on it. I'd recommend it. To update: Machi Koro with the expansion has hit the table many times since I wrote this review. Still solid. Probably my daughters favorite board game.

We bought the original at GENCON just this past weekend and LOVED it. However, the expansion was sold out everywhere. Not here on Amazon!I loved the Harbor expansion! Our first and only game played was longgggg. It was a little complicated at first since we had new cards and a different way to play but it soon picked up speed quickly.Simple explanation is all the different decks are shuffled and combined, basic and expansion. 10 different random decks are then placed on the table. The 10 cards laid out can be from 1 - 14 (new card lets you add 2 to your roll). Our one and only game played last night had a majority of cards needing twice dice being rolled. Took a while but WOW, my 10 year old picked up the strategy of some cards pretty quick, he was brutal! However, I was lucky and picked up a card (several rounds down) to put him into place. He still won, of course.Here is a hint: Mark your Habor cards before you start play. Unlike Dominion, the cards are all the same on the facing side. My daughter wanted to play but only the basic game (shorter and way faster). We couldn't remember all of the new cards (we only played the Basic twice) quickly enough which was Basic and which was Harbor. To the Internet we went. I wrote a small H with a Sharpie on the lower right corner. Will be making a small M for the Millionaires set as well.Also, 10 is a perfect age to start. However, if you have a young gamer that is great at reading and understands the concept of being a shrewd buyer this expansion is good for someone who is nine and maybe even eight.All in all, great game. Husband (true gamer) lost - the dice rolls just didn't work for him, 10 year old came in 1st with the 12 year old a very close 2nd.Enjoy and Keep Gaming!