The Travels of Marco Polo
- May 5, 2015
- Totem Studio
- 30h median play time
An Historical Point & Click Casual Adventure. Discover the extraordinary story of Marco Polo. Back from 25 years of traveling, the Venetian explorer began recounting his adventures.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures, with nice graphics and an engaging story.
- It provides educational content related to Marco Polo and the Silk Road, making it enjoyable for history enthusiasts.
- The gameplay is straightforward and casual, making it accessible for players who may not be skilled at point-and-click games.
- The game is very short, with some players completing it in under two hours, which may not justify the price.
- Puzzles can be overly simplistic and lack challenge, leading to a less engaging experience.
- Technical issues such as small click zones and sluggish performance detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its moral lessons and immersive narrative, while others criticize it for being too short and lacking depth. Although the story is noted for its loyalty to the source material and engaging graphics, many feel it does not effectively complement the gameplay, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, while the story has its merits, it leaves players wanting more in terms of length and complexity.
“The story is remarkably loyal to the book (actually called 'Book of the Marvels of the World') and the narrative and dialogue are surprisingly immersive, enhanced by wonderfully drawn graphics, all well researched and educational.”
“The story is nice and not too murky.”
“Story is nice, but just when you get into it the end appears.”
“Half hidden object / half adventure, this game adds up to less than the sum of its parts as the story cannot keep up with the gameplay and each feels at odds with the other.”
“Way too short, easy puzzles, and a silly storyline.”
“Could have and should have been better technically, graphically, and in terms of story.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising their immersive and well-researched quality, while others felt they could have been technically improved. Despite a few criticisms, many users appreciated the visuals as a strong complement to the narrative and educational aspects of the game. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight, enhancing the historical adventure experience.
“The story is remarkably loyal to the book (actually called 'Book of the Marvels of the World') and the narrative and dialogue surprisingly immersive, enhanced by wonderfully drawn graphics, all well researched and educational.”
“In 'Marco Polo', the edutainment component is kept at a minimum, as well as the story, but they both are still present, and combined with some pretty visuals it makes a nice little historical adventure.”
“Nice graphics”
“Don't let the MS-DOS era graphics fool you; this will challenge you like no other.”
“The graphics could have and should have been better technically, graphically, and in terms of story.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of hidden object and adventure elements, but many users feel that the story fails to complement the gameplay, resulting in a disjointed experience. Additionally, while some players find the game too short, others believe its length is appropriate given the price point.
“The gameplay is a perfect blend of hidden object and adventure elements, creating an engaging experience.”
“At this price point, the game offers a satisfying amount of gameplay without overstaying its welcome.”
“Half hidden object, half adventure, this game adds up to less than the sum of its parts as the story cannot keep up with the gameplay, and each feels at odds with the other.”
“To the guy who feels it's too short: at this price, I wouldn't expect the game to have 30 hours of gameplay.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its calming and soothing qualities, providing a relaxing experience that can help players feel at ease.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features touch-optimized puzzles that enhance gameplay by allowing players to interact with elements through intuitive swiping and lever-turning mechanics, effectively utilizing the device's capabilities for a smoother experience.
“The touch-optimized puzzles have you using physics to navigate by swiping open handles and turning levers.”
“The game's optimization allows for smooth gameplay, making every action feel responsive and satisfying.”
“I love how the optimization enhances the user experience, ensuring that even complex tasks are easy to manage.”
“The touch-optimized puzzles require you to navigate through by swiping open handles and turning levers, but the controls often feel unresponsive.”
“The optimization for mobile devices is lacking, leading to frequent lag and frustrating gameplay.”
“Despite the game's potential, the optimization issues make it nearly unplayable on lower-end devices.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as captivating, drawing players into its immersive environment and enhancing the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is absolutely captivating.”
“The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world.”
“Every detail contributes to an incredibly immersive atmosphere.”