Azul Summer Pavilion - Mini: Rapid Review
Information:
Player Age: 8+
Player Count: 2 - 4 Players
BGG Weight: 2.06
Time to Play: 30 - 45 Minutes
Year Published: 2019 (original edition)
Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the VR Distribution.
Rundown:
Azul is a popular franchise of drafting/abstract games, containing at least four unique games in this franchise, and they are now entering portable editions. Azul Summer Pavilion Mini is a travel-friendly edition that still packs the same punch of tense drafting and decision-making. There are six rounds in the game, each consisting of a drafting phase followed by a playing phase. At the end of all the rounds, there is an additional bonus scoring phase.
A Travel Edition:
This edition is designed with travellers and confined spaces in mind with a small case and small pieces. More important for travelling is the raised plastic overlays that keep the tiles in place during that pesky turbulence.
Phases:
Each round contains two phases; drafting and placing. At the end of the six rounds the game is concluded with an end-game scoring phase.
Phase 1 - Acquire Tiles:
When you acquire tiles you will take all of the same colour from either the factory displays or the centre of the table.
Whenever you acquire, if there is a wild-coloured tile you must additionally take one of these tiles. The wild tile will change each round as shown on the supply board.
Whenever you take any tiles from a factory display, the remainder will be moved to the centre of the table. The other rule to be mindful of is that the first player to take from the centre will gain the first player token (for the playing phase and the next drafting phase) while also losing one point for every tile drafted this one turn.
Phase 2 - Pick, Play and Score Tiles:
In turn order, players will place a tile in the matching coloured display star by discarding tiles equal to the value on the segment they are placing on minus 1. This one tile not discarded will be placed on the star. As long as you have one tile of the star colour you are placing in, any wild tiles can be used by the player to reach the count.
Whenever a tile is placed the player will gain one point immediately and then one point for every tile connected to the newly placed tile in the segment. When players are finished placing they can pass and save up to four tiles for the next round.
The middle segment has no assigned colour attached to it as it will be made up of one from each colour. In this segment, each colour can only be used once and for it to be completed each colour will be represented.
When filling up segments players will come across either a pillar, statue or window. When these spots have tiles surrounding it.
The active player will be able to choose one, two or three tiles (respectively) from the supply board as a bonus action.
End Game Scoring:
At the end of the game, there is one final scoring phase that players have to factor in; completed segments and completed numbers. Each completed segment will score a different amount based on the colour. Players can score 4, 8, 12 or 16 points if they fill in every 1, 2, 3 or 4 numbered segments respectively. These points are a vital part of a player's final score so it is crucial to keep these goals in mind during the game.
Interaction:
Azul Summer Pavilion isn't a cutthroat drafting game, however, it can be very important to gain the first place marker (by drafting from the centre first and paying points). This marker can allow players the first pick of the supply board, any available wilds for the round, or even help to gain multiple tiles of one colour to finalise the 5 and 6 spaces on a segment. Even though the rules are easy the game has more in common with the tension of a back-and-forth abstract game as opposed to a common drafting game.
Determination:
- Easy rules but tense decision space.
- Enjoyed the supply board, giving the players another thing to plan for as they try and surround the symbols to gain the colour they require.
Azul is a classic in anyone's collection. These days though, players have a vast range of choices when it comes to Azul. I have only ever played Azul Summer Pavilion and the original Azul so I cannot speak for the entire franchise overall. However, something that the Azul Summer Pavilion does great is keep the essence of the drafting, abstract, and set collection nature but create a different puzzle. This time around the puzzle comes from trying to complete certain sets of colours through different tools at your disposal such as saving tiles between rounds, the wild tokens and gaining more tiles through clever placement. With a proven track record of a modern classic, I can't see any reason not to add Azul Summer Pavilion to your luggage.
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