Azul

Azul’s staying power in the collection stems from its blend of tactile satisfaction and sharp, defensive interaction. The resin tiles are high-quality "table candy" that bait players into a game rewarding calculated blocking and opportunistic drafting. Unlike more passive gateway titles, Azul rewards reading the table and denying opponents their ideal moves. Every draft is an opportunity to turn the screws, and the penalty system ensures that over-drafting is felt immediately. It remains the definitive choice for groups that want a quick, accessible session that still punishes sloppy play. Logistically, the game presents similar challenges to other mid-box abstracts. The box is bulkier than necessary, and the original insert is a failure—it’s more of an obstacle than an organizer, especially if you intend to add the "Crystal Mosaic" overlays. However, the presence of actual player boards helps justify the shelf space more than its competitors. Setup is straightforward and fast, taking under five minutes to get tiles bagged and boards down. It isn't a filler, but it doesn't overstay its welcome, fitting best as a strong opener before moving into heavier fare. Teaching Azul is primarily about walking players through the scoring logic. While the drafting rules are intuitive, the interplay between horizontal and vertical tallies requires hands-on guidance for the first few rounds. The "Floor Line" is the ultimate kicker, and explaining the pain of breaking tiles is essential for a fair first experience. Once the scoring clicks, the game runs itself, though the competitive drafting keeps the table vocal and the energy high. While the market is flooded with sequels, the original remains the collection's anchor, as the subsequent iterations often feel like "more of the same" across too many boxes.