Our Take
Azul is an abstract tile-drafting board game for two to four players in which you collect and arrange colourful Portuguese azulejo tiles on a personal mosaic board. Designed by Michael Kiesling and published by Next Move Games, it won the Spiel des Jahres in 2018. It appeals to casual and hobbyist gamers alike and sits comfortably in the mid-weight family game market.
Key Features
Players: 2–4, with a recommended age of 8 and above
Average play time: approximately 30–45 minutes per session
Tile-drafting mechanism using circular factory displays as the central draw system
Heavy, satisfying resin-style plastic tiles in five distinct colours, praised for their tactile quality
Point-scoring rewards complete rows, columns, and colour sets on the individual player boards
Negative scoring applies for leftover tiles, adding genuine strategic tension
Our Verdict
Azul is an excellent choice for families wanting something more engaging than a classic roll-and-move game, and for hobby gamers seeking a polished gateway title. Those craving deep narrative, heavy strategy, or direct player conflict should look elsewhere, but as an elegant, replayable abstract game it is genuinely hard to fault.