Azul Collection

Azul is a critically acclaimed tile-drafting board game designed by Michael Kiesling and published in 2017. In Azul, players take on the role of artisans decorating the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora with beautiful mosaic tiles. The game is played over several rounds, where players select tiles from a central market to place on their player board, aiming to complete specific patterns and sets to score points. Strategic selection and placement of tiles are crucial, as players must balance between advancing their own board and preventing their opponents from scoring.

Azul is celebrated for its simple yet deep gameplay mechanics, stunning visual design, and high-quality components, making it accessible to casual gamers while offering enough strategic depth to engage more seasoned players.

The success of Azul has led to the release of several expansions and standalone sequels, each introducing new gameplay elements and challenges:

1. Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra - This standalone sequel shifts the focus to creating stained glass windows instead of tiling walls. Players select glass panes to complete their windows while managing the placement to optimize scoring opportunities.
2. Azul: Summer Pavilion - Another standalone sequel where players collect tiles to construct the summer pavilion, a never-built part of the Royal Palace. This version introduces new strategies with wildcard tiles and the ability to save tiles for future rounds.
3. Azul: Crystal Mosaic - An expansion for the original Azul, featuring new player boards and a plastic overlay to keep tiles in place, enhancing the gameplay experience.
4. Azul: Queen's Garden - The latest addition to the Azul family, introducing a new theme of designing a garden for the Queen with more complex patterns and tile selection strategies.

Each version of Azul builds on the core mechanics of tile drafting and placement, offering unique twists and challenges that keep the game fresh and engaging for players. Azul and its expansions have solidified their place in the board gaming world, winning numerous awards and captivating players with their beautiful aesthetics and thoughtful gameplay.