Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra

I've been a fan of the Azul series for a while now, and when I saw "Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra," I knew I had to give it a try. The description promised new art and components, and I was excited to see what it would bring to the table. I'm happy to report that it didn't disappoint!

The game is, at its core, still Azul, but with some exciting new twists. You're still choosing colored tiles to complete your window panels, but now there's a geographic consideration: you need to move your glazier around the board to place the tiles. This adds a new layer of strategy and complexity, and it really makes the game feel fresh. I also love the double-sided window panels, which provide a dynamic and nearly infinite variability in how you can set up the board.

As for the components, they are absolutely beautiful. The translucent window pane pieces are stunning, and the tower for discarded tiles is a nice touch. The overall quality feels very high, which is important for a game that you're going to be playing and looking at for a long time.

I have to admit, learning the rules was a little bit confusing at first. I found the instructions a bit unclear and ended up watching some YouTube videos to get a better grasp of the game. But once I understood the mechanics, I found the game to be very engaging and fun.

Overall, I highly recommend "Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra." It's a great addition to the Azul family, and I think it's a must-have for any fan of the series. Even if you've never played Azul before, I think this would be a great place to start. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the rules.