We’re taking a look at the card game 5211: Azul edition. The gameplay shares none of the elements that made previous Azul games. Instead, the card game uses Azul-inspired artwork to replace the original game’s art. (Read this post for a comparison of the four current Azul games.) 

Does the game 5211 do justice to the Azul brand, which implies a quick, easy-to-learn game with a hidden depth of strategy? Or is it a strange reskin making use of the famous “Azul theme”?

Quick Overview of 5211

5211 is a card game from Next Move Games. The Azul Edition rules are identical to the original game.  The only difference is the card art. 

In this game players have a hand of five cards. They’ll each play two cards face down and reveal simultaneously. Refill their hands and repeat the process two times except with only one card.

Get it? 5 cards, play 2 cards, then 1, then 1 more. 5211.

The cards in the majority color will score, unless to many are present and bust. If that happens then the second most color scores. If there’s a tie, those tied cards are also out. Players take their winning cards into their victory pile. 

After the deck runs out, the player with the most points wins.

Card Design leaves a Bit to be Desired.  

Neither the original game nor the Azul edition would win a beauty pageant. The original art design was chaotic and distracting. The Azul edition cards, while better, also lack the beauty of its inspiration. The Azul edition has one glaring issue though: the yellow cards are horrendous.

Everyone we played this game with commented on how much they disliked looking at the yellow color. It is difficult to read on the table. The yellow is too light without enough contrast or outline to the numbers to make the cards easily readable. Especially in evening light.

While we don’t consider it a deal breaker for the game, it seems like an obvious issue that could have easily been corrected.

Is 5211 Fun?

So is “5211 Azul Edition” card game fun? Absolutely, yes!

What this card game does so well is create great moments each round where you’re trying to guess what others will play and plan accordingly. Players can impact the scoring each round by which colors they choose to play. Busting by intentionally exceeding the card-color limit, or creating ties that force those colors not to score. Each turn has these little tense moments as you wait for the reveal of the played cards in the final round.  

5211 plays well at all player counts. While 5211 is a straightforward game our 6-year-old can play independently, the strategies for winning require tactical thinking and feels extremely rewarding and earned. 

Azul is also full of those great, tense moments where players are strategically working to get the colors they want while sticking their opponents with many tiles they don’t, hurting their score. These similarities combined with the straightforward, family friendly game play makes the Azul theme for 5211 make a lot of sense. Azul’s name should work well as a recognizable brand to hopefully get folks to stop and consider it on the shelves.

5211 Is a Good Fit For:

• Anyone who enjoys a card game that can be played while holding a conversation
• Families looking to play games with grandparents and children.
• People who like reading other players’ mind.

5211 is an excellent card game that is on par with other family favorites card games of No Thanks! And 6 Nimmit.

Pick up a copy of 5211 Azul Edition for your home.
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Game Info
Title: 5211 Azul Edition
Players: 2-5 Players
Designer: Tsuyoshi Hashiguchi
Artist: Chris Quilliams
Publisher: Next Move Games

a special thank you to our friends at Asmodee for sending this copy of 5211 Azul Edition for review. As always our thoughts and opinions are our own.

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