Should I Play Codenames?
Players: 2 – 8 players | Game Duration 10 – 20 mins |
Min. Age 14+ | Game complexity: EASY Genre: Card Games, Deduction, Party Game, Spies, Word Game
Solo game mode: No | Co-op: No |
Online Version: Yes
Hate Rulebooks? Check out our condensed How to Play Codenames Rules Guide
What is Codenames about?
If you’re a fan of board games, then chances are you’ve heard of the hit party game, Codenames. If not, let me introduce this fun and addictive game that is perfect for game nights.
Game Overview
The goal of Codenames is to work together as a team to identify all of your own secret agents before the other team. Each team’s spymaster gives one-word clues to help their teammates guess which word cards on the board belong to their team. However, they must be careful not to accidentally lead their teammates to guess opposing team cards or the assassin.
25 word cards are laid in a 5×5 grid. These words represent secret agents that the two teams, red and blue, must identify. Each team’s spymaster have access to a key card that shows which words belong to their team, which belong to the other team, and which one is the assassin.
The spymaster gives a one-word clue followed by a number, indicating how many words on the board relate to that clue. For example, if the spymaster says “fruit: 2”, it means there are two word cards related to fruit on the board. The teammates discuss and choose which word cards they think relates to the clue. For each correct guess, teams continue guessing until they either reach the maximum number of guesses or decide to end their turn. If they choose a card belonging to the opposing team, it becomes the other team’s turn. And if they accidentally choose the assassin, the game ends immediately and that team loses.
Who Can Play
Codenames is suitable for ages 14 and up, and can be played with 2-8 players divided into two teams. It’s a great game for parties or family gatherings because it requires both strategy and teamwork, making it perfect for players of all ages to enjoy.
What Makes It Fun
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Codenames is trying to come up with creative one-word clues that will lead your teammates to guess the correct words. This often leads to hilarious and unexpected connections being made between seemingly unrelated words. It’s also entertaining to watch your teammates’ thought process as they try to decipher your clues and make their guesses.
Additionally, the game offers endless replayability as the word cards are always shuffled differently, making each round a unique experience.
Rules
Condensed How to Play Codenames Rules Guide for rulebook haters
Where to play Codenames online?
Codenames Videos
Awards Won by Codenames
2017 MinD-Spielepreis Short Game Winner
2017 MinD-Spielepreis Short Game Nominee
2017 As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année Nominee
2016 UK Games Expo Best Party Game Winner
2016 Tric Trac Nominee
2016 Tric Trac d’Argent
2016 SXSW Tabletop Game of the Year Nominee
2016 Swiss Gamers Award Nominee
2016 Spiel des Jahres Winner
2016 Spiel des Jahres Nominee
2016 Spiel der Spiele Hit mit Freunden Recommended
2016 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Family Game Nominee
2016 Lys Grand Public Finalist
2016 Juego del Año Finalist
2016 Japan Boardgame Prize Voters’ Selection Winner
2016 International Gamers Award – General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee
2016 Hra roku Winner
2016 Guldbrikken Best Adult Game Winner
2016 Guldbrikken Best Adult Game Nominee
2016 Gra Roku Game of the Year Winner
2016 Gra Roku Game of the Year Nominee
2016 Gouden Ludo Best Family Game Winner
2016 Gouden Ludo Best Family Game Nominee
2016 Gioco dell’Anno Nominee
2016 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up
2016 Boardgames Australia Awards Best International Game Winner
2016 Boardgames Australia Awards Best International Game Nominee
2016 Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game Nominee
2016 Årets Spill Best Party Game Winner
2016 Årets Spill Best Party Game Nominee
2016 Årets Spel Best Adult Game Nominee
2015 Meeples’ Choice Winner
2015 Meeples’ Choice Nominee
2015 Jocul Anului în România Best Game in Romanian Winner
2015 Jocul Anului în România Beginners Finalist
2015 Hra roku Recommended
2015 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Best Party Board Game Winner
2015 Golden Geek Best Party Board Game Nominee
2015 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Winner
2015 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
2015 Cardboard Republic Socializer Laurel Winner
2015 Cardboard Republic Socializer Laurel Nominee
2015 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year Nominee
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