Codenames is a social word game with a simple premise and challenging game play. Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames. The teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the table. Their teammates try to guess words of their color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin. The game works very well with 4 players if you prefer to guess without help. Or you can add more players if you prefer lively discussion. There is also a cooperative variant where a single team tries to achieve the highest score they can by playing against the game itself.

The two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their Codenames.

The teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin.

Codenames: win or lose, it’s fun to figure out the clues.

Components

16 agent cards in two colors.

1 double agent card.

7 innocent bystander cards.

1 assassin card.

40 key cards.

1 rulebook.

1 card stand

1 timer

and 200 cards with 400 codenames

Shut up & Sit down

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.

Peter H. Møller from Tabletop Together

This game is a blast to play.

Cardboard Quest

Ocean:3 No wait! Don't Say Shark. Don't Say Shark.