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.