Here's a helpful rundown on finding the right Azul version for you. Who thought a game about stained glass could be so easy to play, fun to replay and generally addicting. Azul is great for players of all types. Our friends that don't really play games love it. Our friends that are deep into strategy love it. And our friends that consider themselves board game aficionados love it. If you haven't played any of these versions of Azul, now is the time to start.
(2-4 players, ages 8+, 30-45 minute playtime)
In Azul, players take turns drafting colored tiles from the center of the table and adding them to their player board. Later in the round, players score points based on how they've placed their tiles to decorate their board. Extra points are awarded for specific patterns and for completing rows, columns, and color sets. Tiles chosen by a player that cannot be used on their player board result in negative points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
(2-4 players, ages 8+, 30-45 minute playtime)
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra challenges players to carefully select tiles (representing glass panes) from the center of the table to complete their player board (their stained glass window) while being careful not to damage or waste the tiles in the process. The “stained glass window” player boards are double-sided, providing players with a dynamic play space that is nearly infinitely replayable! Players can expect to discover new unique art and components in Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra, including translucent window pane pieces, a tower to hold discarded glass panes, and double-sided player boards and window pane panels.
(2-4 players, ages 8+, 30-45 minute playtime)
In Azul: Summer Pavilion, players must use the finest materials to create a beautiful summer pavilion while carefully avoiding wasting supplies. In each round players draft tiles from the center of the table and hold them in their personal play space. After all tiles have been claimed, players then take turns placing tiles on their individual boards, attempting to complete the seven different colored stars. Points are awarded for each tile placed, and bonus points are given for placing tiles adjacent to one another. Surrounding one of the many statues, columns, or windows on a player’s board will grant that player additional tiles to place.
(2-4 players, ages 8+, 30-45 minute playtime)
Azul: Crystal Mosaic is an expansion specifically made for Azul (the first game in the series). It contains double-sided player boards, with each board offering new challenges and exciting new strategic opportunities. The "Crystal Mosaic" of the title is actually a plastic overlay that keeps tiles from being accidentally bumped out of place. Four overlays are included in this expansion.
(2-5 players, ages 8+, 20-30 minute playtime)
While not part of the actual lineup of Azul games, 5211: Azul takes the beautiful tile artwork of Azul and adds it to 5211, a fast-playing card game with a unique scoring method that rewards clever play. The cards in 5211 contain the numbers 1-6 in five different colors. Players will each have a hand of five cards. Each player will simultaneously play two cards from their hand, facedown, and then reveal them. Players will then refill their hands and repeat this process twice more, playing only one card each time. Once all cards are played, the cards that are in the majority color will score - unless they bust. If the color in the majority busts, the second most color scores. In the case of ties for majority, all tied colors are eliminated. This process is repeated until the deck of cards runs out. The player with the most points is the winner.
