Codenames challenges you to gauge how well you understand your friends, and when that understanding falls short – to rely on astute guessing. Recognized as a great party game, Codenames excels in bringing people together with its capacity for large teams, straightforward rules, quick rounds, and endless replayability, all while fostering a collaborative and lively atmosphere. It’s often lauded as the quintessential party game, defined by its ease of learning, swift setup, and adaptability to large groups. Its acclaim has even secured it a spot on our list of top party games worth playing! Its widespread popularity ensures availability in various venues, from Barnes and Noble to Amazon, and, naturally, at your favorite local game stores. Moreover, there are several versions available, offering diverse ways to enjoy this beloved game.
Reviewing one of the modern classic party games: Codenames
What is Codenames Board Game?
Codenames is a captivating social deduction game designed for 2-8 players, ideally enjoyed with four or more participants. It’s a team-based activity where players, divided into red and blue teams, attempt to identify specific words from a shared array, guided by a single clue provided by their team’s clue-giver. The role of giving clues is central to the gameplay, as both teams operate from the same set of words but receive distinct clues, speed and precision are crucial to successfully clear your board before the opposition. Moreover, the challenge is heightened by the inclusion of penalty cards, demanding that clues are carefully crafted to avoid these pitfalls. Team mates must work closely together to interpret these clues correctly, enhancing the game’s collaborative spirit.
The brain behind Codenames is Vlaada Chvátil, a renowned game designer known for creating several other celebrated board games including Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization, its sequel, and Mage Knight. These titles are highly esteemed within the gaming community, often ranking in the top 100 on Board Game Geek—a comprehensive database and hub for board game enthusiasts. Although Codenames is ranked at 129, standing out among over 400,000 entries is an impressive achievement. Its rules are simple and intuitive, allowing players to quickly grasp the game mechanics and dive into play. This accessibility contributed to its success, earning Codenames the prestigious Spiel Des Jahres award, a testament to its excellence in the board game realm.
Since its debut in 2015, Codenames has significantly expanded its reach and is now available in digital format and as a mobile app, along with several expansions and variants. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the original version of Codenames and its enduring appeal.
How to Play Codenames
To set up a game of Codenames, arrange 25 cards in a 5×5 grid. Each card displays a word, and with cards being double-sided, the game offers thousands of potential variations. These cards are visible to all participants.
Though the Codenames rulebook presents a two-player gameplay option, the game truly shines with four or more players, allowing for the formation of two teams. In each team, one player assumes the role of the spymaster, while the others act as field operatives. This team dynamic is precisely why Codenames excels as a party game, benefiting greatly from larger groups.
Codenames makes one player give clues, and the other try to find their operatives…
While both spymasters and field operatives have visibility of the words, only spymasters have access to the key – a randomly selected card that initiates the game. This key displays a 5×5 grid mirroring the words positioned before the players, yet it distinguishes certain spaces in red and others in blue, denoting the two competing teams. Consequently, the red team endeavors for their operatives to identify the team’s words marked in red exclusively. Additionally, there’s a black tile known as the assassin – selecting this tile results in an immediate end to the game!
If you see this character, you’ve ended your game of Codenames!
The objective is for field operatives to identify concealed spies at the table, referred to by their codenames, by deciphering clues provided by the spymaster. They aim to accomplish this task more swiftly and accurately than the opposing team. When offering a clue, the spymaster delivers one word hint that ties multiple words together, accompanied by a number indicating how many words it relates to. For instance, to prompt players to choose the words “nut” and “bark”, one might say “tree, 2”. This strategic element of connecting one word to multiple words on the board is crucial for the entire game, as it encourages players to make connections between as many words as possible, pushing the limits of their daring and requiring comprehensive engagement from the entire team throughout the game.
What would be your best Codenames Clue on this board?
Additional rules apply – choosing incorrectly means you’ve identified an innocent bystander, giving the opposing team a chance to guess, or inadvertently assisted them. Sand timers can be used to pressure other players (or yourself), and while there’s guidance on clue-giving, the real enjoyment is for you to discover.
Codenames Game Review
Codenames is a Great Party Game
We’ve referenced player count several times, highlighting how rare it is to find a game that remains engaging with many players. Codenames stands out in this regard, offering an experience that can bring laughter to any social gathering. Its rules are straightforward, making it easy to teach and quickly turning it into a group favorite. Ultimately, Codenames excels at delivering fun, and there’s nothing better than enjoying great times with friends.
Codenames gets you talking
While there are moments you’ll need to maintain silence—especially when it’s not your team’s turn—engaging in discussions within your team is not only encouraged but essential for formulating your guesses. Understanding word associations plays a crucial role in this process, as it involves the cognitive and collaborative effort of interpreting the spymaster’s clues through the lens of mental connections between words. You’ll soon discover that the challenge lies not merely in guessing the word intended by the spymasters, but also in unraveling the connections they’ve drawn or understanding their thought process through word associations. Was the clue tailored to appeal to someone with a specific interest, or was it simply a coincidence? Assigning personality to the guesses adds a delightful layer to the game, and listening to both teams debate over a given clue often results in sheer hilarity. This dynamic also serves as an excellent icebreaker for new groups. Moreover, the post-game debrief—questioning missed clues or the rationale behind certain decisions—proves to be just as entertaining as the game itself.
The silhouette in the figure means someone lost this game!
Codenames is available online
Czech Games Edition, the publisher of Codenames and its physical variants, has also made a foray into the digital realm. Players can enjoy Codenames through an app that complements the physical game or fully online. Codenames Online provides a seamless experience by generating a unique URL for players to share with friends, making it easy to connect via Discord, Facetime, or other communication platforms. The game is entirely free to play online and simplifies setup even further, enhancing accessibility. So, if you’ve been searching for where or how to play Codenames, look no further than the comfort of your favorite chair!
Codenames Versions
Codenames stands out because it offers a version that appeals to every type of player. We’ve highlighted three popular versions to give you a glimpse, but with a variety of franchise and style options available, there’s truly a Codenames for every audience.
Disney Codenames: Family Version
Disney Codenames is the family version of the Codenames, featuring our favorite characters
If you already enjoy Codenames for group activities, Disney Codenames is the ideal choice for family fun. By incorporating familiar Disney characters, it becomes an even more attractive option for game nights, using images instead of words to engage players. This adaptation is particularly beneficial for early readers or those who may not feel as confident with complex vocabulary, as the pictures remove any reading barriers, allowing for seamless play. Disney Codenames empowers younger players by enabling them to participate fully without adult intervention. While they delight in playing with Disney characters, they’re also honing their critical thinking skills without even realizing it.
Codenames Duet
It may look similar, but Codenames Duet gives a good alternative for two players
Codenames stands out for its flexible player count, accommodating larger groups more effectively than many other games. However, this strength can become a limitation for those wishing to play more frequently, particularly with fewer players. The standard rules provide a two-player variant, but it lacks the excitement of the full game. Enter Codenames Duet: designed specifically for two players, this version encourages collaboration as you work together to guess all the words on the board with a limited number of attempts. It doesn’t drastically alter the original formula, but Codenames Duet refines the experience into a more intimate, cooperative game, packing the same enjoyable gameplay into a tailored two-player format.
Codenames Pictures
Just like Disney Codenames, Codenames Pictures replaces text with images, eliminating the need for reading. This shift means gameplay isn’t dependent on language proficiency; however, it doesn’t simplify the challenge of making connections! While some images are straightforward and clear, many feature wildly imaginative combinations – such as a globe made of footballs, a penguin-shaped ice pop, or a suitcase filled with trees – which makes providing a single-word clue even more challenging than before.
What clue would you give? Codenames Pictures offers some real abstract images
Where to buy or play Codenames
Codenames can be found at your friendly neighborhood game store or on platforms like Amazon.
Remember, it’s also available online at https://codenames.game/!
Interested in exploring more? Browse our curated selection of the best board games for couples, where you might spot some recognizable titles…
Playing Codenames offers a unique blend of teamwork and competition, whether you’re strategizing with a team member or trying to outsmart the other team, making it a versatile game for various social settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can Codenames be played with only two people?
A: Yes! While Codenames is traditionally a group game, Codenames Duet is specifically designed for two players, offering a unique cooperative experience.
Q: Is Codenames suitable for children?
A: Absolutely. The Disney Codenames version is perfect for families, enabling children to engage with the game through familiar characters and images instead of words, making it accessible and fun for early readers.
Q: How long does a game of Codenames typically last?
A: A game of Codenames usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the number of players and how quickly teams decide on their clues and guesses.
Q: Do I need the internet to play Codenames Online?
A: Yes, an internet connection is required to play Codenames Online as it involves accessing a website and playing with others remotely.
Q: Are there any resources for coming up with good clues?
A: While there are no official resources, many players share tips and strategies on forums and social media platforms. Practicing the game and getting to know your teammates’ thinking patterns also greatly help.
Q: Can I create a private game on Codenames Online to play with my friends?
A: Yes, Codenames Online allows you to create a private game. You can share the unique URL with your friends to join.
Q: Are there any expansions or other versions of Codenames I should try?
A: In addition to the versions mentioned, there are several other Codenames variants and expansions available, including themed packs and versions that add new dimensions to the gameplay. It’s worth exploring them to find your favorites!