Azul review

It's time to take a look at this year's great champion, Azul , the winner of the world's most prestigious gaming award, Spiel des Jahres. Is this game as good as it's hyped? Yes! Go to the store and buy! But if you want to know more, read the game review.

Subject matter

Players create beautiful mosaics of Portuguese tiles on their playing fields. This is also the whole theme, which seems like nothing when described like this, but during the course of the game it is felt. The asceticism and high quality of the components make you feel as if we are really painting something together, but try as we might, the game is not very thematic.

Components

The components are very austere, of high quality and with a thoughtful design. This is one of those games, the parts of which, when you pick them up, you get the feeling that you are lifting something valuable. The basic element of the game is very durable and thick plates that make a pleasant clatter when hitting each other. Designers could easily choose cardboard plates, which would not change the mechanics of the game at all, but believe me - the game would then lose something. Each player has an individual playing field where everything can be conveniently placed. But the method of counting points is confusing, because in a game where asceticism is so much thought, the cube with which the points are counted and which is so easy to push out looks like a replacement component taken from another game.

Mechanics

The game is simply elegant. At the beginning of the game, several round squares are created, but 4 tiles are placed on each. During his turn, the player chooses one tile type from one of the squares, takes all the tiles of that type, and pushes the remaining ones into the middle of the playing field. Actions then take place with the individual playing field where these tiles are placed. The catch is that placement options are limited, and pretty soon you don't want to take the 6 orange tiles anymore, because every tile you can't place will give you minus points.

Although at first it seems that the choices are simple and all options are equally good, after the first few rounds you start to study, calculate and see what your opponents need. One of the reasons Azul is great is that not only do you have to think about what you need, but you also have to constantly look at what your opponents are stockpiling.

The game usually lasts 5-6 rounds, during which someone has managed to collect a row that initiates the end of the game, but this is a game of skill, not speed, as the player who has placed their tiles better and managed to get various bonuses will usually win.

Multiplayer

Each game does the same thing, there is no different game setup, but the player interaction is so high that the multiplayer is very high. Every time I've played Azul so far, I've played it at least twice. The game is very exciting, and for those who did not win, it creates a deep excitement for a rematch. Considering that the game can be played in 40 minutes, it is optimal to call for a rematch.

Rating

The title of the game is well deserved. Azul is an atypically addictive abstract game accessible to any player, with plenty of tactics for seasoned players as well as competition for newcomers. I think this is one of the best and most accessible abstract games of recent times. The only downside is that the number of players is limited to 4 people, but otherwise it is one of the safest choices to buy a game that will appeal to everyone. Rating 9 out of 10.

You can buy the game in Brain Games stores on the 1st floor of Rīga Plaza or K. Barona Street 55, or in the online store*: Azul

Board Game Geek Rating:8.0

Author: Kristaps Auzāns

Pictures from Board Game Geek.

*Free delivery throughout Latvia. When shopping in the online store, take part in the draw " Shop and win!" "