8.7
rating
Ludopedia
7.7
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you're looking for a beautiful and engaging abstract strategy game, Azul is a fantastic choice that will have you meticulously placing tiles to create stunning patterns and outwit your opponents.
Highlights
- Visually stunning tile-laying experience
- Engaging strategic depth
- Easy to learn, difficult to master
- Satisfying pattern completion
Keep in mind
- Can be prone to "hate drafting"
- Limited player interaction beyond drafting
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Get ready for a journey back in time to the Royal Palace of Evora, in Portugal, where the beauty of Moorish tiles captivated King Manuel I. He was so impressed by the art of the Alhambra Palace that he ordered his own palace to be decorated with these incredible patterns. Now, the mission is yours! In Azul, you take on the role of a tile-laying artist, challenged to embellish the palace walls with the most beautiful patterns. The game is a visual and strategic delight, where every decision counts. Players take turns drafting colored tiles from suppliers and arranging them on their individual player boards. The trick is that the way you arrange these tiles will determine your score. You earn points for completing rows and columns, creating specific patterns, and finishing sets of colors. But beware! Wasting tiles can cost you dearly, resulting in negative points. With each round, the tension builds as you try to optimize your choices while also keeping an eye on what your opponents are doing. The player who achieves the highest score at the end of the game, with the most dazzling palace, is the grand winner. Azul is a game that blends planning, tactics, and a touch of interaction, perfect for those who enjoy an elegant and rewarding challenge.
GALLERY
11 photos · from the community
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
In English
-
How to Play Azul
-
Azul - How to Play - Complete Game Rules in 3 minutes - BoardgameNinja
-
How To Play - Azul
-
The Ultimate Azul Strategy Gide
-
Azul - Board Game Rules - English
-
Azul: How to play and why you should!
-
How to Play Azul
-
How to Play Azul in about 5 minutes
-
How to play in 5 minutes
-
AZUL: How to Play / DIGITAL TUTORIAL WALKTHROUGH
-
Azul [Board Game] - Tutorial / How to Play with Examples
-
How to Play AZUL!
2
BEST
3
REC
4
REC
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Next Move Games, Plan B Games, Belleville (Бельвіль), Broadway Toys LTD, Divercentro, Galápagos Jogos
Designer
Michael Kiesling
Artist
Chris Quilliams, Philippe Guérin
How many players can participate in a game of Azul?
Azul is ideal for 2 to 4 players, working very well at all counts, but the dynamic changes slightly depending on the number of people at the table.
What is the average duration of a game?
A game of Azul usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes, making it perfect for a quick session or to fit between longer games.
Is Azul a complex game for beginners?
Not at all! With a BGG weight of 1.774/5, Azul is considered a light-complexity game. The rules are easy to pick up, but the strategy deepens with each play.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find many beautiful colored tiles, individual player boards, a scoring board, and scoring markers. All of excellent quality!
Who is Azul recommended for?
Azul is perfect for anyone looking for an elegant abstract strategy game with simple rules and tactical depth. Great for families, couples, and groups of friends who appreciate a good mental challenge without being exhausting.
Is there any language dependency to play Azul?
No, Azul has zero language dependency. The components are iconic, and there is no text in the game, which makes it very easy to play with people who speak different languages.
Has Azul won any major awards?
Yes, several! It was the winner of the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2018, and also took home the Ludopedia Family Game of the Year 2018 Award (popular and jury vote).