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rating
Ludopedia
7.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy party games with an extra dose of strategy and lots of laughter, Banned Words is a sure bet! It takes the classic idea of guessing words and adds a brilliant layer of bluffing and anticipation, turning every clue into a fun minefield. It's the kind of game that generates hilarious moments and lively discussions about 'how could you possibly use THAT word?!'.
Highlights
- Intense team interaction
- Clever bluffing and anticipation
- Generates lots of laughter
- Easy to learn
- High replayability
Keep in mind
- Best with larger groups
- Depends on player creativity
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About the game
What you do in a play session
In Banned Words, get ready for a battle of wits and vocabulary where communication is everything... but with a treacherous twist! The goal is simple: get your teammates to guess five secret words or phrases. The catch? The opposing team is actively trying to sabotage you by creating a list of 'banned words' that, if spoken, earn them points. And the best part: you can only *guess* which words they've chosen to trip you up!
The game unfolds over three exciting rounds. At the start of each round, both teams (red and blue) receive a card with five secret words or phrases. Here's where the twist comes in: each team then writes down up to sixteen words they *think* the opposing team might use when giving clues. Once the banned word lists are complete, a 'clue-giver' is designated on each team, and the secret word cards are swapped. The blue team's clue-giver then starts giving clues to their teammates. If, by chance, they utter one of the words the red team wrote down as banned, someone on the red team holds up the corresponding card and announces it aloud – point for them! When time runs out, the blue team scores one point for each correctly guessed secret word or phrase, and the red team scores one point for each time the blue clue-giver used a banned word. Then, it's the red clue-giver's turn. After three complete rounds, the team with the most points wins. It's a true mental tug-of-war, where guessing what the other team is thinking is just as crucial as being creative with your clues!
The game unfolds over three exciting rounds. At the start of each round, both teams (red and blue) receive a card with five secret words or phrases. Here's where the twist comes in: each team then writes down up to sixteen words they *think* the opposing team might use when giving clues. Once the banned word lists are complete, a 'clue-giver' is designated on each team, and the secret word cards are swapped. The blue team's clue-giver then starts giving clues to their teammates. If, by chance, they utter one of the words the red team wrote down as banned, someone on the red team holds up the corresponding card and announces it aloud – point for them! When time runs out, the blue team scores one point for each correctly guessed secret word or phrase, and the red team scores one point for each time the blue clue-giver used a banned word. Then, it's the red clue-giver's turn. After three complete rounds, the team with the most points wins. It's a true mental tug-of-war, where guessing what the other team is thinking is just as crucial as being creative with your clues!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
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Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Categories
Families
Publisher
Wonder Forge
Designer
Forrest-Pruzan Creative, Prospero Hall, Sean Fletcher
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
780owners
356wishlist
40want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can participate in Banned Words?
Banned Words is super flexible! It's designed for 4 to 99 players, making it perfect for any group size, from a small gathering to a huge party.
What's the average game duration?
A game of Banned Words is quite dynamic, lasting between 30 to 30 minutes. It's ideal for filling some time or for multiple rounds on a game night.
Is it a complex game to learn?
Not at all! Banned Words has a BGG complexity rating of 1.2/5, which means the rules are super simple and easy to pick up. You'll be playing in minutes!
What are the main components of the game?
The game is quite minimalist, focusing on interaction. You'll have secret word cards and will need paper and pens for each team to write down their banned words. Simple and effective!
Who is Banned Words recommended for?
It's highly recommended for anyone who loves party games, word games, and communication puzzles. If you enjoy laughing, bluffing, and trying to guess what others are thinking, this game is for you!
Does Banned Words have any expansions?
As of now, Banned Words is a standalone game and does not have official expansions. Replayability comes from the variety of words and the players' creativity.
What is the main mechanic of the game?
The core mechanic is restricted communication, where you try to get your team to guess words while avoiding specific terms that the opposing team has 'banned.' It's a guessing game with a sabotage twist!
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