Azul Board Game Review

The Art of Portuguese Tiles

Azul, designed by Michael Kiesling and published in 2017, draws inspiration from the azulejos, the ornate ceramic tiles that decorate Portuguese buildings. The game challenges players to draft colorful tiles and arrange them strategically on their personal boards, creating patterns that score points.

The game won the 2018 Spiel des Jahres award, joining elite company in the board gaming world. Its combination of accessible rules, strategic depth, and outstanding tactile components has made it one of the most celebrated modern abstract games.

How the Game Flows

The game takes place over multiple rounds. Each round begins with factory displays, circular platforms holding four random tiles each. A central market area starts empty but fills as play progresses.

On your turn, you select all tiles of one color from a single factory display or from the center market. Any tiles you do not take from a factory move to the center. This creates an interesting dynamic where the center accumulates tiles, sometimes offering powerful selections but with the penalty of taking the first player marker.

Selected tiles go onto pattern lines on the left side of your player board. Each line holds a specific number of tiles (1-5), and each line can only contain tiles of one color per round. When a pattern line is complete, one tile moves to the corresponding row on your wall, scoring points based on adjacent tiles already placed.

Tiles that cannot be legally placed go to your floor line, where they represent broken tiles and cost points. Managing this penalty while maximizing scoring opportunities drives the strategic decisions.

The Tactical Experience

Azul rewards forward planning but punishes rigidity. You must constantly adapt to what tiles become available and what opponents take. A color you planned to collect might disappear, forcing quick recalculation.

The interaction between players is indirect but constant. Taking tiles from a factory affects what others can select. Sometimes you take tiles primarily to prevent an opponent from completing a valuable row. This defensive drafting adds tension without creating direct conflict.

The wall building aspect creates puzzle-like satisfaction. Each completed row, column, or color set provides bonus points at game end. Planning your wall layout to maximize these bonuses while adapting to available tiles requires both strategic vision and tactical flexibility.

The Physical Experience

The component quality in Azul deserves special mention. The tiles are made of resin with a satisfying weight and smooth finish. They feel substantial in hand and produce pleasant sounds when placed. This tactile element elevates the entire gaming experience.

The visual design reinforces the Portuguese tile theme without being ostentatious. The colors are distinct and attractive, the boards are clear and functional, and the overall presentation creates an inviting table presence.

Strategic Considerations

Early rounds should focus on setting up efficient patterns. Complete shorter pattern lines (1-2 tiles) early to start building your wall and scoring points. This creates scoring opportunities in subsequent rounds as you add adjacent tiles.

Watch the floor line carefully. Taking tiles you cannot use costs points, but sometimes accepting a small penalty to deny opponents valuable tiles makes strategic sense. Calculate the trade-off before committing.

End-game bonuses significantly impact final scores. Complete rows give 2 points each, complete columns give 7 points each, and complete color sets give 10 points each. Plan your wall placement to work toward multiple bonuses simultaneously.

Pay attention to what colors opponents need. If someone has nearly completed a color set, denying them the final tiles might be worth a small floor penalty. Defensive drafting becomes increasingly important in close games.

Variants and Expansions

The base game includes an alternate wall variant on the reverse side of player boards. This version allows placing tiles anywhere in a row (rather than predetermined positions), increasing strategic freedom but also complexity.

Several standalone Azul games offer different experiences:

Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra features transparent tiles and column-based scoring. It is slightly more complex with additional decision points.

Azul: Summer Pavilion introduces diamond-shaped tiles and a new drafting mechanism. Many consider it the most strategic version.

Azul: Master Chocolatier reimagines the original with chocolate-themed components and minor rule adjustments.

Who Should Play Azul

Azul appeals to a remarkably broad audience. The rules are simple enough for casual players and families, while the strategic depth satisfies experienced gamers. The short playtime makes it easy to fit into any occasion.

The abstract nature may not appeal to players who prefer thematic games with stories and characters. If you need narrative context to enjoy games, Azul might feel cold despite its beauty.

Two-player games work extremely well, arguably better than some higher player counts. The interaction is more direct and the strategy more calculable. For couples or gaming pairs, Azul is an excellent choice.

Buying Azul in Czech Republic

Azul is widely available through Czech retailers in both Czech and English editions:

• Blackfire - Major distributor with all Azul titles
• Alza - Competitive pricing on base game
• Svet her - Specialty retailer with expansion availability

The base game typically costs 700-1000 CZK. Standalone sequels are priced similarly. For beginners, the original Azul provides the best introduction to the system.

Final Thoughts

Azul succeeds by doing what it does exceptionally well. The combination of accessible rules, meaningful decisions, and outstanding production creates a game that earns its place in nearly any collection.

It may not offer the thematic richness of adventure games or the epic scope of civilization builders, but within its domain, Azul approaches perfection. For abstract puzzle-like experiences, few modern games match its achievement.

Explore more of our reviews: Catan for trading and negotiation, Ticket to Ride for route building, or return to our homepage for more recommendations.