Azul is a tile-placement board game that was designed by Michael Kiesling and published by Plan B Games in 2017. This game has quickly become a fan favorite, earning multiple awards and nominations, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2018. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Azul and provide an overview of the artwork, rules, difficulty level, and overall gameplay experience.
Artwork
The artwork in Azul is one of its standout features. The game’s tiles are adorned with beautiful, intricate patterns that are inspired by traditional Portuguese azulejos, which are decorative tiles often used in the design of palaces, churches, and other buildings. The tiles in Azul are made of high-quality materials and have a satisfying weight to them. The game board is also well-designed, with clear markings to help players keep track of their scores.
Rules
Azul is a relatively simple game to learn, but it offers a lot of strategic depth. The game is played over several rounds, with each round consisting of three phases. In the first phase, players take turns drafting tiles from a central factory display and placing them on their individual player boards. In the second phase, players score points based on how they’ve arranged their tiles on their boards. In the final phase, players subtract points for any unused tiles they have on their boards.
Difficulty
Azul is a game that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. The rules are easy to understand, but there are plenty of strategic choices to be made throughout the game. Players must balance the desire to collect as many tiles as possible with the need to avoid penalty points for unused tiles. The game also rewards players who can think ahead and plan their moves several turns in advance.
Gameplay
Azul is a game that is easy to learn, but difficult to master. The gameplay is engaging and satisfying, with each turn presenting players with meaningful decisions. The game has a nice pacing, with each round lasting around 20-30 minutes. The game can be played with 2-4 players and is suitable for ages 8 and up.
Overall
Azul is a fantastic game that is sure to please both casual and serious gamers alike. The artwork is stunning, the rules are straightforward, and the gameplay is strategic and rewarding. The only slight drawback is that the game can feel a bit repetitive after multiple plays, but the overall experience is still highly enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great tile-placement game to add to your collection, Azul is definitely worth checking out.
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