Codenames
- Players
- 2-8
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 6 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 15 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.3 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
In Codenames, two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents laid out as a grid of code-name cards, while their teammates only know the words. Each spymaster gives a one-word clue and a number, hinting how many cards on the board relate to that clue, and their team must guess the correct agents without accidentally contacting an innocent bystander, the other team's agent, or the deadly assassin. Teams race to make contact with all of their agents first, balancing bold, efficient clues against the risk of a costly mistake. It's a clever word-association game that plays beautifully with almost any group size.
Hobbli's Notes
Codenames is a modern classic for good reason: it's fast to teach, wildly replayable since the cards never change meaning, and it scales from small groups to big parties effortlessly. The tension of giving a clue that's clever but not too clever is endlessly fun to navigate, and it consistently produces the kind of "why did you guess that" moments that make for great group memories. It's an easy, near-universal recommendation.
What we like
- It's extremely quick and easy to teach to new players.
- The word grid changes every game, keeping it endlessly replayable.
- It scales smoothly from small groups up to large parties.
- Clever clue-giving creates memorable, laugh-worthy moments.
Keep in mind
- Overly cautious clue-givers can slow the pace of a game.
- Uneven guessing skill between teammates can create imbalance.
- Downtime while teammates deliberate can drag for larger groups.
- Success depends on shared cultural or verbal associations between players.
Who it's for
Excellent for groups of 2-8 players ages 10+ looking for a clever, social word-association game for parties or game night.
