- Publisher : Plan B Games
- Designer(s) : Michael Kiesling
- Artist(s) : Philippe Guérin, Chris Quilliams
- Players : 2–4
- Playing time : 30–45 Min
- Weight BGG : 1.77
What's this?
Each player embodies a craftsman in charge of decorating the Royal Palace of Évora with magnificent azulejos (earthenware tiles). The goal is to create the most harmonious patterns and to earn the most points at the end of the game.
How do you play?
Game progress:
➡️ Manufacturing phase: Colored tiles are placed on factories.
➡️ Selection phase: In turn, players choose a factory and take all the tiles of a single color. The remaining tiles of this factory are placed in the center of the table.
➡️ Placement phase: The selected tiles are placed on the player’s personal board, respecting certain rules:
Pattern lines: The tiles must be placed on specific lines, respecting the colors. (only one tile of each color per line).
➡️ Waste: The excess tiles are placed in a dedicated space, which earns negative points.
➡️ End of the game: The game ends when a player has completed a line of 5 tiles on his wall.
Scoring: Players count points based on completed patterns, tiles placed on the wall. (rows, columns etc.)
Is it good?
Azul is a great choice for evenings with friends or family. Its simple and intuitive rules make it a perfect introduction to the world of board games, while offering a strategic depth that will satisfy more experienced players.
The game stands out for its neat aesthetics. The magnificent ceramic tiles, reminiscent of real Portuguese azulejos. Azul remains visually very attractive.
Speed and replayability are also there. A game generally lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, which allows you to play several games in a row. Although the basic mechanics remain the same from one game to the next, the random configuration of the tiles and the many placement possibilities offer great replayability.
In summary, Azul is a popular abstract game that seduces with its accessibility and depth. Whether you are a novice in board games or a seasoned player, you will find what you are looking for in this elegant and strategic title. Its theme, mechanics and aesthetics make it a must-have for game libraries.
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Review Azul
Positives
- Accessible and strategic
- Visually appealing
- Fast and replayable
Negatives
- Quality of the player board
- Lack of interaction
Breakdown
- Components and illustrations 8.0
- Mechanics 7.5
- Thematic 5.0
- Replayability 10.0
- Handling 10.0
- Interaction 6.5
- Originality 9.0
