Codenames: Critical Role Adventures
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 25 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.5 / 5
- Year
- 2026
About the game
Codenames: Critical Role Adventures reimagines Codenames as a fully cooperative campaign set in the world of Exandria, with one game master guiding a party of heroes from the first three Critical Role campaigns through a series of perilous missions. Characters level up between missions as the party works toward defeating a final boss. Each mission adds its own twist on the classic Codenames clue-giving rules, layering campaign structure over the series' familiar word-association core.
Hobbli's Notes
Codenames: Critical Role Adventures reworks the classic word-association formula into a fully cooperative campaign, with one player acting as GM to guide a party of Critical Role heroes through a sequence of linked missions. Leveling up characters between missions and layering in new twists on the core clue-giving rules gives it far more structure and progression than a normal Codenames night, while keeping the clever, tense clue-giving that makes the series work. Critical Role fans will find plenty to love here, and even players unfamiliar with the show should enjoy the added campaign structure over vanilla Codenames.
What we like
- Clever cooperative reworking of Codenames with genuine campaign progression.
- Character leveling gives missions a satisfying sense of momentum.
- Strong Critical Role theming for fans of the show.
- Retains the tense, clever clue-giving that makes the base game work.
Keep in mind
- One-GM structure means that role carries more responsibility than the rest of the party.
- Full appreciation benefits from familiarity with the Critical Role universe.
- Campaign structure means it's less of a quick pick-up-and-play than standard Codenames.
Who it's for
Great for Codenames fans and Critical Role viewers looking for a cooperative campaign, ages 10+, in groups of 2-4.
