Codenames: Pictures

Czech Games Edition (CGE), Boardgame Space, Brain Games · Board game · 2016
2–8 · best 6 15 min Weight 1.2/5
8.1 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 19.14
8.1 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're looking for a quick, engaging party game that tests your lateral thinking, Codenames: Pictures is a fantastic choice that brings a fresh visual twist to the beloved word association formula.

Highlights
  • Visually stimulating clue-giving and deduction
  • Excellent for diverse player counts
  • Quick to learn, easy to teach
  • Engaging, tense team competition
Keep in mind
  • Can be frustrating with poor clues
  • Less strategic depth than heavier games
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
Codenames: Pictures throws you into the heart of a secret war where communication is key... and your biggest challenge! Imagine a map filled with enigmatic symbols. Each one hides a secret agent your team needs to contact before the rival team does. Two spymasters, one from each side, are the only ones who know the identity and location of every agent. Their mission? To give single-word clues to their field operatives, who must decipher these visual hints to find their allied agents. But beware! A decoding mistake could lead your operatives to an unpleasant encounter with an enemy agent, or worse, with the dreaded assassin, which ends the game immediately. It's a race against time and against your opponent's intelligence. Who will be cleverer at cracking the codes and contacting all their agents first? The big twist in Codenames: Pictures, which sets it apart from the original Codenames, is that agents are no longer represented by words, but by images. And these images are packed with details, elements, and possible interpretations, making the challenge of giving and receiving clues even more intriguing and fun. Get ready to exercise your creativity and visual association skills, because here, a picture is worth a thousand words... and can mean victory or defeat!
Expansions
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Codenames: Pictures English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 OK
3 OK
4 REC
5 REC
6 BEST
7 REC
8 REC
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Game details

Families

Game: Codenames Mechanism: Image Interpretation
Publisher Czech Games Edition (CGE), Boardgame Space, Brain Games, Cranio Creations, Devir, DiceTree Games
Designer Vlaada Chvátil
Artist David Cochard, Dávid Jablonovský, Jana Kilianová, Martin "Skam" Krejčí, Štěpán Drašťák, Tomáš Kučerovský
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Codenames: Pictures?
The game is super flexible and works well with 2 to 8 players, being ideal for larger groups where team dynamics truly shine.
What is the average game length?
A game is quick! It usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, making it perfect for multiple rounds or to fill a short time slot.
Is it a complex game to learn?
Not at all! The complexity is quite low (BGG weight of 1.2388). The rules are easy to understand and teach, allowing everyone to jump into the fun quickly.
What comes in the game box?
The box typically contains image cards, key cards, a key card stand, agent cards in two colors, double agent cards, an assassin card, and a rulebook. Everything you need to start your espionage!
Is Codenames: Pictures good for those who already know the original Codenames?
Absolutely! If you already love the original Codenames, the Pictures version offers a refreshing experience and a new challenge, as clues are based on images, not words. It's a great addition to your collection.
What is the main difference between Codenames: Pictures and the original Codenames?
The key difference lies in the agent cards: in the original Codenames, they are words. In Codenames: Pictures, they are images. This completely changes the dynamic of clues and deduction, requiring visual associations instead of textual ones.