If you are searching for an abstract strategy game you can comfortably play with your friends and family, Azul might be the game for you. Azul was created by one of the most celebrated designers Michael Kiesling. As most critics expected, the game won the ‘game of the year’ award shortly after its release. It was produced by Next Move Games and Plan B Games in October 2017. Due to the impressive reception from gamers and critics, Michael subsequently created more Azul games like Queen’s Garden, Summer Pavilion, and Stained Glass of Cintra. 

The Simplest Game With The Toughest Strategy

Azul pits players against each other in an intense tile-laying contest where precision and planning are as important as speed and ruthlessness. In Azul, the players take on the role of master artisans competing to finish the most valuable masterpiece in the Emperor’s palace. It is a multiplayer game that allows two to four players. 

In Azul, players take turns selecting tiles from a pool and adding them to their player board in an attempt to match colors and complete various goals before they run out of space. Each player receives a single tile with their player color on it, along with several tiles that represent resources they will use during gameplay.

Simple, Yet Complicated Rules

Azul creates a challenging yet rewarding experience for players, irrespective of their ages or experience levels. To first-timers, the rules may seem overwhelming or complex. When you break it down, however, it’s rather simple. You’re trying to score points by playing tiles that are either laid out in front of you or stored in your hand. These tiles must be placed adjacent to others already on the table, so if you can’t make a move, then you lose points instead. However, as soon as one player places his last tile on the table, everyone else gets one more turn before scores are tallied up.

You must analyze the costs and benefits of every tile you place and avoid wastage at all costs. For instance, you can’t place two tiles of the same color consecutively, as one of them will fall off, causing you to waste resources. 

Straightforward Scoring System: Simply Follow the Rules

As mentioned earlier, players take turns drafting tiles from a central pool and using them to build up their tableau. Each of these tiles bears one of four different colors. During play, each color must be placed in specific areas—the wall of your mosaic palace, your reserve (which can be used during later rounds), or on a tower space that matches its color. 

Players score points for completing towers but lose points if they cannot complete towers. It’s an elegant game with a lot of strategic depth, but it’s also easy to learn and play quickly. This makes it great for families looking for an accessible strategy game that doesn’t require much time commitment or mental energy. If you like abstract games like Blokus or Carcassonne, you’ll probably enjoy Azul!

Score Points Through Well-laid Strategies

In Azul, your mission is to try to collect as many points as possible by creating solid lines or rows of tiles on your board. You will earn points by creating mosaics out of different colors of tiles. You’ll have to plan your moves accordingly to get those tiles you need while blocking your opponents from getting theirs. 

On your turn, players will choose to either draft (take) or reserve (leave). Drafting allows you to take a tile from anywhere on the board that matches one on your player board. Reserving lets you take a tile from anywhere on the board, but you have to build it onto one of your quadrants immediately after you take it and cannot return any tiles into play.

What You Will Find in the Package 

I was impressed when I first bought the Azul game. It was clear that the designer paid attention to detail in every little tile piece and the entire board. Each tile fits well with its color while also fitting in with other tiles. There are no ties or wasted pieces, and even if you’re only using two colors, they look great together on your board. The board itself feels very sturdy and sits flat on your table. The rulebook has plenty of examples and clarifies how to play each player count making it easy for new players to join at any time! 

Brilliant Theme and Simple Mechanics

The two aspects of Azul that elevate it from a standard puzzle game to something more are its theme and its mechanics. Its simple rules hide brilliant depth and an elegant difficulty curve as you progress through multiple layers of increasing difficulty.

Azul gives players enough choices to be engaged and challenged but not overwhelmed. I was struck by how simple it was to grasp and how fun it was right from the beginning. The rules are easy to teach (though some need to be pointed out or explained in detail). After playing my first game, I knew that I had found my new favorite game.

You Can’t Get Tired of Playing this Game

As soon as Azul ends, you want to play it again—and then again. From deciding which dice to select each round to optimize your strategy based on what’s still in play, every decision feels meaningful and fun. By carefully crafting every aspect of Azul—from its gorgeous components to its intricate gameplay— Plan B Games have taken a normal puzzle idea and turned it into an unforgettable gaming experience. 

Conclusion 

Azul takes its inspiration from classic Mediterranean designs and blends them with modern elements to create an abstract strategy board game that’s easy to learn but challenging to master. It’s an immensely satisfying experience and will keep players coming back more time and time again. It may be pricey for a board game, but it’s worth it if you enjoy puzzles and have 30 minutes to spare.