8.3
rating
Ludopedia
7.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Codenames is a fantastic party game for anyone who loves word association and deduction, offering a unique blend of strategic thinking and creative communication that makes every game feel fresh.
Highlights
- Engaging team-based word association
- Clever spymaster clue-giving mechanic
- High replayability with varied words
- Excellent for larger groups
- Simple rules, quick to learn
Keep in mind
- Can have downtime with slow spymasters
- Some clues can be frustratingly vague
About the game
What you do in a play session
In Codenames, you and your team dive into the world of espionage, where communication is key and every word counts! Two teams of secret agents, each led by a spymaster, compete to be the first to contact all their agents. The game unfolds with 25 word cards spread on the table, each representing a potential codename. The spymasters, and only they, have access to a secret map revealing which words belong to their team, which are neutral, and, most importantly, where the dreaded assassin lies. The spymaster's task is to give a single one-word clue and a number, for example, 'Fruit 3', to guide their teammates to identify the correct cards. The number indicates how many words on the table are associated with the given clue. The team's agents then discuss and try to guess the words their spymaster has in mind. Guessing a word from your team allows them to continue guessing, up to the limit of the number given in the clue plus one extra chance. But beware! If they select an opposing team's word or an innocent bystander, the team's turn ends. And if, by a terrible mistake, they point to the assassin, the game immediately ends in defeat for the team that made the error. The game continues with spymasters alternately giving clues until one team finds all their agents or, unfortunately, the assassin is revealed.
Expansions
Published additional content
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
In English
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Better 2-player variant!
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How to Play Codenames [Official Video]
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How to Play Codenames online
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How to Play Codenames
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Learn to Play Codenames
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Codenames & Skeleton Revival - Tabletop & Brews Review and Tutorial
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How to play Codenames
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How to play Codenames in 3 minutes
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Nights Around a Table - How to Play Codenames
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Quick, Complete Rules Explanation for Codenames!
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Board Game Bakes: Create your own edible Codenames board!
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Code Names HINDI How to Play | Simple Explanation Code Names | Party Words Game // Chai & Games
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
3
OK
4
REC
5
REC
6
BEST
7
REC
8
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Czech Games Edition (CGE), asmodee, Boardgame Space, Brädspel.se, Brain Games, Broadway Toys LTD
Designer
Vlaada Chvátil
Artist
Dávid Jablonovský, Filip Murmak, František Sedláček, Stéphane Gantiez, Tomáš Kučerovský, Vlaada Chvátil
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
183,093owners
8,046wishlist
364want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can participate in Codenames?
Codenames is ideal for groups, playable from 2 to 8 people. The more, the merrier, and the more fun the team dynamics!
What is the average game duration?
A game of Codenames is super quick! It usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, making it perfect for multiple rounds or as a warm-up for game night.
Is Codenames a complex game to learn?
Not at all! The complexity is quite low, with a BGG weight of 1.26/5. The rules can be explained in just a few minutes, and the fun starts right away.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find 25 codename cards (with words), key cards for the spymasters, agent cards (blue and red), bystander cards, and the dreaded assassin card, plus a stand for the key card.
Who is Codenames best suited for?
It's perfect for those who enjoy party games, deduction, and word games. If you like a good communication challenge and teamwork, Codenames is a sure bet for gathering friends and family!
Is there any language dependency to play Codenames?
Yes, Codenames is quite language-dependent, as the game is entirely based on words and associations. It's essential that players speak the same language to fully enjoy the experience.
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