Codenames (2015)

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Codenames as an unbelievable and fantastic word-based party game, highlighting the unique synergy developed with a partner over time and the rewarding feeling of successful clue deduction. He considers it one of the best party games he has ever played.

“I really love Codenames and Duet is a nice implementation of it for two. If that is you, just buy this.”

“The game's simple concept, combined with the challenge of interpreting clues and avoiding the assassin, makes Codenames a compelling game that brings people together and keeps them engaged.”

“Codenames, Vlaada Chvátil’s new word game for two to eight players, is a perfect ten, a titan standing head and shoulders above the rest of the scene. Codenames is an instant classic, a game of stunning elegance and endless fun.”

“Everyone had fun and it was, by far, the game at the top of every GeekDad’s list for best game of Gen Con. Codenames is a lot of fun and it is a game that plays so quickly (average game is about 15 minutes) that you can rip out several games in an hour, cycling through teams and spymasters.”

“Codenames earns the top spot on my list for the year because it’s a game that has managed to be engaging with every audience I’ve played with. But, what really makes Codenames stand out to me is that it is one of the very, very few games this year that, no matter who I’ve played it with, the initial reaction after finishing a game has been, “let’s play that again”!”

The reviewer highly recommends Codenames, calling it a phenomenal and incredibly clever game that stands out as one of the best party games ever created, offering a consistently enjoyable strategic experience for groups of four to eight players.

“This terrific party game is eminently suitable to non-gamers.”

“Where simple rules meet complex emotions, Codenames has dealt a hand of spectacular success.”

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Codenames as an awesome and super fun game, calling it the game of Gen Con 2015 and highlighting its versatility for various player counts and atmospheres.

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Codenames as an outstanding and versatile party game, highlighting its engaging word association mechanics and fun for various group sizes. While it can sometimes slow down with very large player counts, it's considered one of the best games played that year and possibly ever.

“Codenames is a deep game with simple rules, it’s tense and silly at the same time, and it’s fun when you’re winning and even better when you’re losing.”

“Codenames is a unique and fun word game for parties. We recently recommended Codenames in our 2015 Board Game Gift Guide because it’s a fantastic game!”

“That’s what makes the family party game Codenames so amazing. Board-game snobs and newbies love it; 8-year-olds and grandparents love it; word-puzzle people and strategy buffs love it.”

“It’s a simple idea, and the result is a clever, funny and instantly accessible experience. I think one of the great things is the way the game tailors itself to the personality of the group that’s playing.”

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Codenames as an awesome and surprisingly engaging deduction game, highlighting its high replayability and the enjoyable tension for both clue-givers and guessers, while noting it may not suit all players due to its thoughtful nature.

“It's intelligent without being smug about it, just complicated enough to allow strategy without being bogged down in heavy rules and best of all guaranteed to bring out laughs and banter around the table.”

The reviewer enthusiastically recommends Codenames as a fun, quick-to-learn word association game that is a must-have for any game collection and perfect for drawing in non-gamers at family gatherings. The only minor drawback noted is that the experience can suffer if players are not skilled clue-givers.

The reviewer highly recommends Codenames as an addictive, easy-to-learn word association game that offers competitive play and will become a staple at social gatherings, despite relying on good clue-givers.

The reviewer found Codenames to be a fantastic and highly replayable word deduction party game, praising its engaging gameplay and easy setup that encourages multiple plays.

The reviewer rates Codenames as a fantastic and highly replayable word deduction party game, highlighting its easy setup and varied configurations that encourage players to play multiple times.

“Overall, Codenames is great, and anyone who likes guessing games of any kind will love it.”

“Codenames is a fascinating game. Almost all of the words have multiple meanings or can be related to multiple things, so you always have a lot to think about when coming up with your clues (or when deciphering the clues).”

The reviewer highly recommends Codenames, praising its versatility and accessibility for both gamers and non-gamers. They highlight its ability to create engaging social interactions as a "thinky" party game, despite the potential for spymasters to experience analysis paralysis.

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Codenames as a lightweight, endlessly replayable, and easy-to-learn party game, considering it their most played game of all time despite minor issues with downtime and policing clues, ultimately giving it the Abroad Games' seal of approval.

The reviewer highlights Codenames as an easy-to-learn and simple word association game that is a blast to play, despite occasional frustration with teammates. He praises its engaging tension and broad appeal, recommending it highly as a fun party game.

The reviewer praises Codenames as a fun, light, and casual party game that is very easy to learn, highlighting its great replayability and the fun derived from creative clue-giving.

“The version of Codenames I never even knew I was looking for. Codename: Duet is fun, engaging, and hits the table often.”

“As a competitive team game then, Codenames sounds like it has the potential to be a lesson in frustration, but it’s really not. The arguments are hilarious, and trying to get into the same mindset as your operatives in order to deliver genuinely useful clues is a very tricky thing to do, but very awesome when it actually works.”

“Codenames has been a game that has really broken through the hobby wall and found its way onto many game shelves all throughout the country. We brought it to a family Christmas about three years ago and it was such a hit, we have been requested (required?) to bring it to nearly every gathering since!”

“Ultimately, Codenames excels at delivering fun, and there’s nothing better than enjoying great times with friends. Its rules are straightforward, making it easy to teach and quickly turning it into a group favorite.”

“Codenames is one of the best party games on the market. It’s easy to teach and plays quickly at around 15 minutes.”

“Overall, I’m a huge fan of this game. Currently won’t turn down a game, and expect that not to change for a while.”

Codenames is praised as an exceedingly simple and clever word game that thrives with groups who appreciate wordplay and deduction. The reviewer finds the spymaster role rewarding despite the high pressure, highlighting the game's quick setup and breakdown as key strengths, though noting it functions more as a subdued parlor game than a raucous party game.

“Played Codenames last night! You realize how challenging it is when its your turn to give the clues as you have to make sure that your clues don’t relate to any of your opponent’s words as well. It was a lot of fun.”

“Codenames is a modern classic, created by one of the most interesting board game designers around today. It’s accessible, yet offers a challenging puzzle that anyone can pick up and enjoy.”

“A quick and cleverly designed word/party/family communication game, suitable for everyone. Surprisingly hard to do well, and really encourages lateral thinking.”

The reviewer praises Codenames as a great word association game, ideal for gatherings and as an icebreaker due to its short playtime, though notes that it can suffer from downtime if players take too long. While the new edition offers minor improvements, current owners of the original may not need to upgrade unless their copy is well-used.

“I think a lot of people would really enjoy playing Codenames as it requires some really interesting thinking. It sparks fun conversation, and is a really good time for a fairly “light-weight” game.”

“The game is quick, simple, and family friendly while still allowing players to relax, be social and spend time together, which after all is what board games and this community is about!”

“I think Codenames is a brilliant party game for those who like word games.”

The Shelfside review praises Codenames for its clever word association mechanics, endless replayability, and broad accessibility, but it is criticized for significant downtime and the high pressure placed on the clue-giver, ultimately preferring games like Decrypto due to its reduced idle time and increased player interaction.

ProZD's video humorously portrays the common frustrations that arise when playing word-association board games like Codenames, often stemming from teammates overthinking clues or spymasters struggling to maintain a poker face.

“I have enjoyed my time with Codenames XXL. It gives me great satisfaction looking across the table at my friends and family as they’re deep in contemplation and dialogue trying to parse out the meaning of the clue that I have given them.”

“It’s okay – it’s absolutely fine. I don’t feel any great agitation at the accolades it has accumulated. I’m willing to accept it’s a wonderful experience if you can get the stars to align. They just haven’t for me, and I’m losing hope that they ever will.”