It isn’t onerous to see why the tabletop group seems so enamored by Azul. The colourful tile-drafting game is easy enough to choose up in a spherical or two, however the strategy at larger ranges can get comparatively deep. Because Azul is so approachable, it’s broadly thought of to be one of the best family board games accessible. That stated, the addictive gameplay and wealth of totally different variations have additionally made Azul a favourite amongst severe hobbyists.
Outside of the satisfying-feeling tiles and the easy-to-pick-up gameplay, the magic of Azul is that it scales extremely properly. Many video games, whereas claiming to accommodate a vary of rivals, don’t play as properly with some participant counts as others. On the opposite hand, whereas we picked Azul as one of the best board games for three players, it’s simply pretty much as good with two or 4 people.
Later iterations of Azul have launched wildly totally different rulesets, additional deepening the expertise. Each model doesn’t play like a easy adaption, nonetheless. Sure, the varied entries all ask gamers to draft fantastically crafted tiles and place them on a board, however these packages are sometimes so diverse that proudly owning a number of variations truly is sensible for more than simply the hardcore Azul fanatic. All the varied titles and expansions may be a bit complicated at first, nevertheless it helps to know that there isn’t a dangerous option within the bunch. That stated, for many people, it in all probability makes probably the most sense to start with the title that began all of it.
The Games
Azul
MSRP: $44.99 USD
- Age: 8+
- Players: 2-4
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Azul asks gamers to draft tiles and place them in designated spots on their boards. The goal is to finish columns, rows, and colours, all of which award a set quantity of factors. Of course, the participant with probably the most factors on the finish of the game wins. However, strategic gamers will wish to block their opponent from finishing their respective board, that means Azul is a game about each offense and protection. This stability is a component of what makes Azul great, and the power to eye a number of boards is what separates novice gamers from expert ones. Like any great strategy game, it's about being one step forward of the competitors.
Azul scored high in our and gained a number of Board Game of the Year awards due to its easy but elegant gameplay. The fantastically crafted tiles each look phenomenal and really feel great within the hand. As that is probably the most fundamental iteration of Azul, it’s the really helpful place for many gamers to begin. Don’t let its simplicity idiot you, nonetheless. review matches can get fairly cutthroat, as a lot of the game revolves round blocking opponents from deciding on the tiles they need to finish their boards. Still, if you happen to’re searching for one thing more advanced, the subsequent few titles within the franchise offer wrinkles that add a bit of depth to the core gameplay.
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
MSRP: $44.99 USD
- Age: 8+
- Players: 2-4
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
While there are no dangerous Azul video games, Stained Glass of Sintra is about as divisive a title because the collection has. Azul followers who aren’t as scorching on Stained Glass of Sintra are typically nonetheless constructive about it, however, understandably, gamers have been a bit bowled over by this entry as it’s fairly the departure from the unique. Sure, gamers are nonetheless tasked with drafting colourful tiles and enjoying them on their board, however tile placement works a lot in another way in Stained Glass of Sintra.
Rather than making an attempt to finish columns and rows, the follow-up focuses more closely on vertical gameplay. Additionally, a meeple is launched to the collection (however by no means seen again afterward) which strikes gamers from one stained glass board to the subsequent. Players conversant in Azul will undoubtedly catch on moderately shortly, however these new mechanics do add some complexity to the unique gameplay. For these searching for one thing barely deeper than Azul, Stained Glass of Sintra is actually price testing, as are the subsequent couple of entries on this record. Additionally, that is an simple suggestion for gamers who have already got Azul and are searching for one thing a bit totally different that also manages to scratch the identical itch. But again, perhaps try the subsequent couple of entries first.
Azul: Summer Pavillion
MSRP: $44.99 USD
- Age: 8+
- Players: 2-4
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Like Stained Glass of Sintra, Azul: Summer Pavilion maintains the identical tile drafting system as the unique game however differentiates itself within the placement part. The greatest change to gameplay with Summer Pavilion is the introduction of the wild card tile. Each spherical a new coloration is chosen to be the wild card, that means it may be utilized in place of any tile within the game.
Like the sooner entries within the collection, Summer Pavilion maintains its tense drafting part that requires gamers to consider future turns and predict the strikes of their opponents, however the wild card provides a enjoyable and significant twist to the components. The new board additionally gives even more room to attain bonus factors, making Summer Pavilion considerably deeper than the earlier two entries. Not to sound like a damaged document, however many will wish to grab the unique Azul first and later graduate to a title like Summer Pavilion. However, the wild card component and the deeper scoring system may be enough to influence first-time patrons searching for one thing more superior. If that’s you, then Summer Pavilion is an glorious place to begin.
Azul: Queen’s Garden
MSRP: $44.99 USD
- Age: 10+
- Players: 2-4
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Azul: Queen’s Garden is definitely the farthest departure from the unique title. Both the tile drafting and placement phases are fairly totally different, albeit nonetheless considerably reminiscent of Azul. However, Queen’s Garden makes a substantial leap in complexity due to tiles that adjust in coloration and design. Additionally, not solely are gamers drafting tiles, however they’re additionally drafting expansions to their board. These board expansions additionally need to share a sort or a coloration with the adjoining tile, including one other wrinkle to the participant’s strategy.
Despite differing so drastically from earlier iterations of Azul, Queen’s Garden continues to be an glorious title. In reality, many gamers take pleasure in it as a result of of its deeper gameplay. Again, newer gamers will doubtless wish to begin with the unique Azul earlier than making an attempt out one of the later entries, however, on this case, liking one isn’t essentially an indicator of having fun with the opposite as they’re so totally different. This is actually probably the most troublesome title within the collection, with Summer Pavilion being a good center ground between it and the unique.
Azul Duel
MSRP: $26.99 USD
- Age: 10+
- Players: 2
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
There's a present trend for specialised 2-player variants of standard board video games, and Azul now has it's own devoted Duel model. It has the identical fundamental gameplay of grabbing teams of matching tiles and assigning them to lanes which go on to create patterns, however there are some attention-grabbing new wrinkles to maintain issues contemporary. Most notably, you now create your goal sample as you go, by deciding on dome tiles, moderately than utilizing pre-printed boards. Other modifications embrace the possibility to choose up bonus jokers you possibly can exchange at no cost tiles, and the power to stack rejected tiles in an order of your alternative, making certain Azul Duel has its own distinctive really feel among the many collection, whereas nonetheless retaining its pleasant visible and tactile aesthetics.
Azul: Master Chocolatier
MSRP: $44.99 USD
- Age: 8+
- Players: 2-4
- Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Azul: Master Chocolatier is more or much less a reskin of the unique game, however with a chocolatey theme. Master Chocolatier does add an Advanced Mode that introduces a slight tweak to the drafting course of thanks to numerous symbols on the reverse facet of the mats that may have an effect on scoring or tile placement. If performed on the usual facet, nonetheless, the gameplay stays the identical. The solely different distinction between Master Chocolatier and the unique is the design of the boards and the tiles.
The introduction of the Advanced Mode makes this an intriguing option over the unique model just because there may be some extra variability. Other than that, it's really helpful that gamers select the design and theme that almost all appeals to them.
The Expansions
Azul: Crystal Mozaic
MSRP: $14.99 USD
Components (REQUIRES AZUL)
- 4 new double-sided participant boards
- Plastic overlays to maintain tiles in place
Crystal Mozaic is a comparatively small and cheap enlargement to Azul. The huge change comes within the kind of the brand new participant boards that alter the tile placement course of. Scoring is barely totally different, reducing some penalties for unused tiles and including new bonuses for numerous placements.
At its core, that is nonetheless Azul, however Crystal Mozaic provides variability for many who have performed the unique game numerous instances and are searching for one thing barely totally different. It’s not a game-changer by any means, however it could offer more replayability to your current copy of Azul.
Azul: Glazed Pavilion
MSRP: $14.99 USD
Components (REQUIRES AZUL: SUMMER PAVILION)
- 4 new double-sided participant boards
- 1 new double-sided central board
- Plastic overlays to maintain tiles in place
Glazed Pavilion basically does for Summer Pavilion what Crystal Mozaic does for the unique Azul. The new double-sided participant boards offer totally different scoring choices that adjust barely from Summer Pavilion.
Like Crystal Mozaic, Glazed Pavilion is really helpful for gamers who’ve run their copy of Summer Pavilion into the ground and are searching for a new technique to expertise an previous favourite. It’s not an exceptionally thrilling change, nevertheless it’s a comparatively cheap option so as to add more replayability to a great game.
Other Versions
Azul Mini
Azul Mini is precisely what it appears like; it’s simply Azul however at a fraction of the dimensions. Azul Mini is right for anybody operating out of space on their bookshelf or of their closet however nonetheless desires to own one of the very best household video games lately. Not to say, this model is great for touring. Just don’t misplace the smaller elements.
5211: Azul Edition
MSRP: $12.99 USD
- Age: 8+
- Players: 2-5
- Play Time: 20 minutes
5211: Azul Edition isn’t an Azul title in any respect, however moderately, a reskinned model of the 5211 card game. 5211 is a fairly easy and quick-playing game the place gamers draw 5 playing cards, and every spherical has them enjoying two playing cards, one card, after which one again. (See what they did there?) After figuring out the bulk coloration on the desk on the finish of every spherical, gamers take back their playing cards of that coloration to tally up on the finish of the game for factors. There are some enjoyable twists baked in as properly. For instance, too many playing cards of the identical coloration on the desk can result in a bust, and the subsequent hottest coloration playing cards are taken.
There are 5 totally different colours of playing cards in 5211, however within the Azul Edition, these colours are changed by 5 tile designs impressed by the aesthetic of the unique Azul. That’s actually the one distinction. It’s a good tactic from writer Next Move Games as Azul is one of the preferred titles within the medium. Despite its lack of similarities, nonetheless, followers of Azul should take pleasure in 5211 as it’s one more simple-to-learn game with layers of strategy.
Azul: Digital
There’s nothing like getting a group of associates or relations round a desk to take pleasure in a enjoyable game, however when that isn’t an option, enjoying online is usually a stable technique to go. Along with tons of of different titles, Azul is obtainable to play on Board Game Arena with a Premium Membership. Board Game Arena does offer many free titles, however video games like Azul, Wingspan, Ark Nova, Terraforming Mars, CATAN, Ticket to Ride, and tons of of others can be found to play online for simply $3.00 per 30 days, billed at $36.00 yearly.
Bottom Line
Azul is such a versatile game that it suits properly in just about any assortment. The Azul collection has progressively moved additional and additional away from the easy gameplay mechanics that made the title well-known, nevertheless it has nonetheless managed to keep up a cohesive feel and appear all through. For most gamers, the primary entry is an glorious place to begin with a number of choices to degree up to afterward. Queen’s Garden gives one thing for hardcore strategists whereas Summer Pavilion lies someplace in between. Of course, many of these titles will be bought properly beneath the said MSRP at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. To doubtlessly rating the very best price, make sure to observe our board game deals coverage which is consistently up to date with the latest gross sales.
For some great tabletop suggestions, see our collections of the best four-player board games along with our picks for the best two-player board games.
Bobby Anhalt is a contributing freelancer for IGN protecting board video games and LEGOs. He has more than eight years of expertise writing in regards to the gaming industry with bylines at Game Rant, Screen Rant, TheXboxHub, and Ranker. You can observe him on Twitter.