Maui

In Maui, you're tasked with organizing the perfect beach day for vacationers in a tropical paradise. This game is a pattern-building challenge where your main goal is to strategically place beach towels on your individual player board. Each towel features different patterns, and as you place them side-by-side, you must ensure the designs match up with the previous tile. The more matches you create, the higher your score, but be careful: placement is everything. Positioning towels near the ocean or under the shade of trees can yield valuable bonuses, but the risk of miscalculating and losing points is always looming.

The core gameplay revolves around a towel market. On your turn, you choose between picking up new towels or collecting sand dollars, which serve as the currency to acquire the most desirable pieces. Each player's board is limited and features specific spots for umbrellas, which provide scoring bonuses or extra pearls if covered correctly. The game concludes once someone fills their final column, and the final tally includes points from patterns, pearls, and any leftover sand dollars.

For those seeking an extra challenge, the game includes an advanced mode where, instead of umbrellas, you deal with sand crabs. If you cover a crab, it 'crawls' onto your towel, blocking that space and costing you precious points. It's a light, visually charming experience that requires quick, puzzle-like thinking. It's perfect for those who enjoy abstract games with a relaxing theme but don't mind a bit of strategic tension. The learning curve is gentle, making it accessible for newcomers, while the need to optimize every move keeps veterans engaged. If you enjoy games like Azul or Sagrada, Maui will feel right at home on your shelf, bringing a vacation vibe to your table while exercising your brain with clever choices and just the right amount of pressure.