Azimuth: Ride The Winds (2018) Board Game

Azimuth: Ride The Winds is a board game released in 2018 by designer José Daniel Cabrera Peña and artist Tyto Games. It falls under the category of Abstract Strategy games, which focus on strategic thinking and planning rather than luck or direct conflict. The game is designed for 2-4 players, with a recommended age of 10 and up. Players will engage in area majority and influence mechanics while navigating a grid-based movement system.

Game Components of Azimuth: Ride The Winds

24 rafts (6 of each color)

28 wind tokens (7 of each color)

4 wooden castaways

16 coconut tokens

4 wooden lighthouses (4 colors)

4 beach tokens

1 island

1 ocean die

How To Setup Azimuth: Ride The Winds

To set up the game, players start by placing their castaways on a small desert island. The rafts are randomly distributed across the ocean, each colored to match one of the players. Lighthouses, which serve as the players’ goals, are positioned on islands within the ocean. Each player receives a set of wind tokens, mostly of their own color, but possibly including tokens of other players’ colors in games with more than two players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: The first player to guide their castaway to their lighthouse wins.

Wind Tokens: Players place wind tokens to propel adjacent rafts of the matching color in the direction the token points.

Castaway Movement: Players can swim their castaway from one raft to an orthogonally adjacent raft of their own color.

Wind Manipulation: After using all wind tokens, players can move their winds to empty, adjacent spots or rotate other players’ winds 90 degrees, re-triggering the wind’s effect on surrounding rafts.

Raft Interactions: If a wind propels one raft into another, the moving raft stacks on top of the static raft.

Player Experience

Azimuth: Ride The Winds offers a mix of strategy and thematic immersion. The game feels elegant and precise, with simple core rules that belie deep strategic complexity. Players must skillfully manipulate ocean winds to navigate their rafts towards their lighthouse while hindering their opponents. The game’s dynamics ensure continuous progress, avoiding the feeling of being stuck in a tug-of-war. However, the game can be fiddly at first, with a lengthy rulebook explaining various “if-then” scenarios.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite simple core rules, the game offers deep strategic complexity.

Thematic Immersion: Players feel like stranded seamen navigating through the ocean.

Dynamic Gameplay: Continuous progress keeps the game engaging.

Visual Appeal: Stunning lighthouse game pieces and a well-designed board.

Cons

Initial Complexity: The rulebook is lengthy and explains many “if-then” scenarios, which can be overwhelming at first.

Fiddly Mechanics: The game requires careful manipulation of wind tokens and rafts, which can be fiddly.

Limited Player Count: Suitable for 2-4 players, which may limit its appeal for larger groups.

Personal Thoughts on Azimuth: Ride The Winds

Azimuth: Ride The Winds is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong thematic element. It appeals to those who like abstract mechanics but also appreciate an immersive narrative. The game is perfect for families or casual gaming groups looking for a challenging yet engaging experience. However, it may not be the best fit for very young children due to the small parts and initial complexity.

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