Azul: A Game of Simple Strategies and Endless Evolution

December 4, 2025: This review was originally published in 2022 and has been updated to fit our new format, featuring clear sections and breakdowns for easier navigation.

Azul is a vibrant tile-drafting strategy game designed for up to four players, packed with a variety of logic puzzles that enhance the core gameplay. These systems evolve as you become more familiar with the game, creating a dynamic experience that adjusts to your skill level.

This is a rare find, and aside from a few mid-game balance issues, Azul executes its intricate mechanics impressively. I tested Azul over five weeks, playing with two, three, and four players to determine its standing among the top board games available today.

Price	$39.99/£39.99
Ages	8+
Game type	Abstract/open drafting
Players	2-4
Lasts	20-30mins
Complexity	Moderate
Designers	Michael Kiesling
Publisher	Plan B Games
Play if you enjoy	Kingdomino, Sagrada, Realm of Sand, Spirits of the Forest, Isle of Cats, Patchwork, Splendor

Set against the backdrop of King Manuel I’s return to Portugal, Azul immerses you in the world of tile artistry inspired by the azulejos of the Alhambra palace. As a tile artist, your mission is to fulfill the king’s desire to decorate his palace in this stunning style, which means heading to the market, gathering your tiles, and getting to work.

In each round, players draft tiles from a circular marketplace, taking all tiles of one color at a time and placing the rest in the center. You then arrange these tiles in rows on your board, filling your walls once the market is cleared. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Any tiles that don’t fit your pattern lines—likely due to the restriction of holding only one color at a time and not placing a tile of the same color in the same row—fall to the ground, costing you valuable points.

Points are scored based on how many tiles each new placement touches when added to the wall, with end-game tallies factoring in completed rows, columns, and full color sets. A round concludes when a player completes a full row on their wall.

The abstraction in Azul means that while the Portuguese influences are present in the lore, board design, and overall narrative, the mechanics remain clean and could fit any theme.

This isn’t to criticize Azul’s core logic, but compared to similar games like Kingdomino and Isle of Cats, which weave their themes into gameplay while maintaining competitive strategy, I would have liked to see a bit more atmosphere integrated here.

The strategic depth of Azul sneaks up on you, making it hard to delve into specifics without spoiling the fun of discovery.

While the drafting and machine-building mechanics may appear straightforward at first, each playthrough inspires new tactics and approaches. We experienced plenty of “just one more game, I want to try something different” moments during our testing, keeping everyone engaged.

From the moment those first tiles are laid out, Azul challenges you to adapt your strategy each time. I found myself gravitating toward a starting tactic that shifted slightly based on the color combinations available in the initial round, but I appreciated the need for flexibility throughout the game.

This is likely due to the fact that Azul operates multiple types of logic simultaneously. It’s more than just one puzzle; the interplay of various systems creates a satisfying decision-making process. You’re racing against time, drafting efficiently, and aligning your board for maximum gain while minimizing your opponents’ opportunities. Even selecting your tiles becomes a strategic game of math, probability, and reading your opponents’ moves.

If Azul piques your interest, consider checking out Splendor Duel as well; it features a similar drafting mechanic and vibe. We’re big fans, awarding it four and a half stars out of five.

The result of this intricate blend of systems is a strategy experience that players shape individually. In a good drafting game, everyone at the table is playing a slightly different game and gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanics with each round.

This dynamic difficulty makes Azul suitable for families, easily transitioning from a kid-friendly game to a more intense adult experience.

However, if one player starts strong with two or three excellent rounds, they can quickly build an insurmountable lead. I often found that once a player gained a significant advantage (around 10 points) by mid-game, catching up became nearly impossible. This meant that many victories were often decided well before the end, despite attempts to balance scoring at the conclusion.

I’ve taught two players how to play Azul on separate occasions, and both quickly grasped the game, developing their own strategies and engaging with its intricate systems within just a few games. Once the phases and processes are understood, the necessary strategies naturally evolve. Azul accommodates up to four players but shines as one of the best two-player board games for a head-to-head challenge.

Each game lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, making Azul an ideal choice for a quick weeknight session. However, it’s just as easy to slip into a “best of three” or “best of five” mindset due to its deceptively simple strategy and personal evolution.

Criteria	Notes	Score
Game mechanics	This is an incredibly smart, compelling system that belies its apparent simplicity.	5/5
Accessibility	It’s fairly easy to get your head around Azul, making it a great family game.	4/5
Replayability	You’ll need to be flexible in your planning here, and this means you have plenty to come back for – there’s always one more thing to try.	5/5
Setup and pack-down	Azul is fairly compact and focused despite all those tiles – them being kept in orderly rows helps.	4/5
Component quality	Although it doesn’t have a huge impact on gameplay, the art design here is exquisite.	5/5

✅ You want an accessible yet captivating puzzle game. Despite its straightforward rules, Azul offers a depth that gradually reveals itself, making it utterly engaging.

✅ You seek longevity. There’s always a new strategy to explore in Azul, ensuring you’ll keep coming back for more.

❌ You prefer a less cerebral game. If you’re not in the mood for deep thinking at the table, this might not be the right fit.

❌ You’re buying for young kids. While children can play, the game may be too dry for their tastes.

This review was based on a copy purchased by the writer.

Our reviewer has been playing Azul for years, applying that experience to this review while ensuring they were thoroughly familiar with the game beforehand.