A slightly educated review of ZU Tiles. Is it trying to market as a card game? What's happening?!

About ZU Tiles: Hime – Starter Set 1, from BoardGameGeek:

ZU Tiles: Hime is a strategic tile placement game based loosely on the creatures of the Chinese Zodiac. Players choose a creature (or creatures) to build customized decks around in order to out think and out play their opponent(s). Players earn points by creating patterns of “compatible squares” using creatures or by battling and capturing opposing creatures. The first player to 12 points wins! Think Collectable Card Game meets Dominoes...but with amazing anime inspired art and super fun tile interactions. ZU Tiles: Hime is a quick and easy game for the whole family, focusing more on its unique compatibility mechanics than it does on combat. We're hoping you have more fun and more genuine enjoyment of playing vs. the sometimes cutthroat competition that other more competitive deck building games can become. Relax. Take your time. Smile more. Laugh a bit. Enjoy yourself. Starter Set 1 consists of the Pig, Rabbit, Ram, Tiger, Horse, and Dog tiles. Starter Set 2 consists of the Dragon, Snake, Rooster, Rat, Ox, and Monkey tiles. AWARDS AND HONORS 2020 Board Game Spotlight Top Game of 2020 Silver Spotlight Award Top 5 Game of 2020: Minimum Player Count