Azul
Choose Azul when the pleasure is the puzzle on your own board and you do not mind a mean draft. It is the better pick when someone at the table likes a physical pattern more than an engine.
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Board games
Azul vs Splendor
Both won Spiel des Jahres, both sit in the half-hour range, and both get suggested the moment someone says they want a modern game that is not Catan.
Azul, designed by Michael Kiesling and published in 2017, is a tile draft for 2–4 players, often 30–45 minutes. You take tiles from factory displays and fill a wall. Splendor, designed by Marc André and published in 2014, is a chip-and-card engine for 2–4 players, about 30 minutes. You collect gems and buy cards that make the next card cheaper.
They are not the same kind of quiet. Azul punishes a sloppy draft because a row you cannot place costs points. Splendor punishes hoarding chips, then gets out of your way. If your group talks while they play, say so before you choose. Azul wants a look at what everyone else took. Splendor can be played with less table talk.
Splendor
Choose Splendor when you want turns that stay short and a game that teaches in a few minutes. It is the better pick for a mixed table that will get distracted and come back.
What actually differs
| Difference | Azul | Splendor |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 2–4 | 2–4 |
| Usual length | About 30–45 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| Designer, year | Michael Kiesling, 2017 | Marc André, 2014 |
| Award | Spiel des Jahres 2018 | Spiel des Jahres 2014 |
| Main action | Draft tiles onto a board | Take chips, buy cards |
Questions about this choice
Do I need the expansions?
No. This comparison is the base games. Azul has stained-glass and other standalone versions that are different games. Splendor has expansions that add cities and more. Start with the box you can borrow.
Which is better at two players?
Both play two. Azul at two is a tighter fight over the same tiles. Splendor at two moves quickly and can feel like parallel puzzles. Neither needs a partner who already knows the game.