Azul

Azul is the board game equivalent of a beautiful puzzle. Designed by Michael Kiesling and published by Plan B Games in 2017, it won the Spiel des Jahres in 2018. Inspired by the azulejo tiles of Portuguese palaces, it combines simple rules with deep tactical decisions and some of the most satisfying components in any modern board game.

Why This One

Azul is the perfect “next step” game. If Ticket to Ride is your first modern board game, Azul is a great second one. The rules are minimal: you draft colored tiles from shared factory displays and place them on your player board, trying to complete rows and score points for clever placement. A full rules explanation takes about five minutes.

What makes Azul special is the tension between what you want and what you are forced to take. Every tile you draft changes what is available for your opponents, and leftover tiles you cannot place cost you points. This creates a delicious push-and-pull where every choice matters, even on your very first turn.

The game plays 2 to 4 players and takes 30 to 45 minutes. It is excellent at two players, which sets it apart from many gateway games that need larger groups to shine.

What to Expect

Chunky, colorful resin tiles that feel wonderful in your hands. A personal player board with a mosaic pattern to fill. The game has a quiet, focused atmosphere where players study the available tiles, plan their moves, and occasionally groan when someone takes exactly the tiles they needed. There is no luck beyond the random tile draw, which means skilled players will consistently do well, but the game is accessible enough that a newcomer can win their first game.