Azul Board Game Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Lisa
As a couple with young children, an evening in playing board games is one of our favourite ways to hang out together and have some fun. However, it also means that we get familiar with games very easily and are always on the lookout for something different to keep us entertained. Azul is one of those games that sneaks up on you—in the best way possible! At the outset, figuring out the rules was a bit tricky and I wasn’t sure how much we were going to enjoy it, but once we got the hang of it, we wanted to keep playing all evening! And trust me, the more you play, the more you start to see all the clever strategies that can help you win.
The game itself is very colourful and engaging. The quality of the game is very good. It’s in a fairly large box to store, but the chunky, smooth tiles feel great to handle, and the whole game has a satisfying, polished look to it. Even setting it up feels like a fun part of the experience! The tiles are beautiful colours and placing them on the board to create a mosaic feels satisfying. It’s easy to get lost in trying to make the prettiest patterns while also making smart choices to get the big scores! The way to play is placing tiles on your board to try and make straight lines, but only certain tiles can go in each place. If you get too many of one colour in a turn, you end up having to take points off too! The balance between planning ahead and adapting to what’s available makes each round exciting and different – as well as trying to stop your opposition from getting the tiles they need!
We haven’t tried to play this with our children yet, but I think they will enjoy it too. It would definitely be a different sort of game with more players as well, as it is for 2-4 players and you use a different number of tiles depending on how many are playing. It says age 8+ on the box which I think is accurate, although at this age they may not get all of the strategy that is needed, but they could still enjoy the game. I don’t think it will ever get boring as the tiles change every time, so no two games will ever feel the same, and we’re excited to play it again already!
At the end of the day, I think Azul is a fantastic mix of beauty, strategy, and pure fun, so I would definitely recommend it. Once you crack the rules, it becomes one of those games that keeps you hooked, eager to improve your skills and play “just one more round” before finally going to bed. If you’re looking for a board game that’s engaging, rewarding, and a joy to play, either as a couple or a family with older kids, Azul is an absolute winner!
Tile Laying Game | Ages 8+ | 2 to 4 Players | 30 to 45 Minutes Playing Time
Rating: 5/5
Price: from around £30 depending on where you purchase it from.
Available to buy from Amazon here