Elements consists of cards with two properties: the element (earth, water, air, fire) and the shape (circle, triangle, square, pentagon). There are also Single Cards with only one property and the rare Element Cards that can transform into any card.
Each player starts with eight random cards. The first card from the drawing pile gets turned over and the players continue the series. The first player who has laid out all of their cards wins the game.
In their turn, a player can lay out as many cards as they want as long as the element or the shape from the top card is continued. Once made, the decision between element or shape cannot be changed while laying out cards (For example: A water circle is the top card. The player lays out a water circle and then a fire circle. With the fire circle they chose "shape" and are able to lay out earth or air circles but no other shapes).
If a player is unable to lay out any card, they draw three cards and the direction of the game changes. This enables the players to make strategic decisions on which cards to lay out and in what order.
-description from designer