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Codenames

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description Codenames Overview

Codenames remains the gold standard for accessible and engaging party games. Two teams compete to identify their secret agents based on one-word clues given by their spymasters. Its simple rules belie a surprising depth of strategy and clever wordplay. The game's adaptability makes it perfect for large or small groups, and the ever-changing word combinations ensure high replayability.

It consistently sparks laughter and lively debate, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The physical components are also well-designed and durable.

help Codenames FAQ

How does the assassin card work in Codenames?

Codenames uses a 5 by 5 grid of 25 word cards, and one hidden square is the assassin. If a team guesses the assassin, that team loses immediately, even if the clue was otherwise clever.

Who designed Codenames and when did it come out?

Codenames was designed by Vlaada Chvatil and published by Czech Games Edition in 2015. It won the Spiel des Jahres in 2016, which helped make it one of the modern party-game standards.

What is the difference between Codenames and Codenames: Duet?

Codenames is a team game where two spymasters compete to guide their sides to the right agents. Codenames: Duet turns the idea into a cooperative two-player format with shared pressure and a different key-card structure.

Can Codenames work with people who do not play board games?

Yes, because the core rule is easy: give one word plus a number, then let your team guess related words. The depth comes from word association and risk management, not from a long rulebook or complex components.

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