Codenames

I put off trying this game for so long because the premise didn't really interest me; I'm not normally a huge fan of word games. However, I regret not buying it when I first heard about it. The Good: This game is comprised of a stack of double-sided codenames cards, stack of key cards, cardboard agent/bystander cards, a plastic card stand, and a timer. That's it, and there's nothing wrong with any of it. Cards are easily readable from either side of the table, colors on the "key" cards are vibrant, and the cardboard cards are solid with good artwork. Setup is super quick - lay out a grid of 25 codenames, separate the agent/bystander cards, and draw a key card - done. Instructions are easy to understand, and easy to teach to new players. We take this game almost everywhere we go and have taught countless people to play, both gamers & non-gamers alike. Gameplay is team-based, and your experience can vary widely (in a good way) depending on the group you play with. As a spy master, you are playing to your teammates. Sometimes that's super thinky, other times fairly simple. While sometimes a really close or thinky game can last for a while, I've never once gotten this game out and stopped at a single game. The design of the key cards & random layout of the codenames cards means the game has virtually unlimited replayability. The Bad: If I had to pick something, I would say the downtime while the spymasters come up with their clues. This will also depend on your group. While there isn't much for teams to do while spymasters think, our groups typically use that time to sow confusion among the other teams, so it's rarely a dull time. The Indifferent: I definitely consider this a party game. I don't feel it can be played at anything less than 4 players, and really shines at 6 and up. If you want a 2-player version, try Codenames: Duet. If you're considering this game, all I can say is "buy it". Play it, and I don't think you'll regret it. It's one of those games that is really hard to explain what it is that grabs you, but once it does you'll want to keep playing. I watched countless reviewers singing this game's praises, but still didn't think it sounded like something I would enjoy. How wrong I was. You can find this game on sale anywhere from $10-$20, and I can think of very few games that bring as much fun and replayability at such a low cost.

I purchased Codenames as a gift for a friend, and I can honestly say it was a home run in every way! The game itself is a fantastic blend of clever wordplay, lighthearted competition, and team strategy. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned board game enthusiast, it’s quick to learn but offers endless replay value — every round feels fresh and different. One of the things I love about Codenames is its versatility. You can play it with just a few people for an intimate, puzzle-solving experience or with a larger group for a hilarious, high-energy party vibe. It works equally well for game nights, holiday gatherings, or even casual afternoons when you want something fun and engaging that gets everyone talking and laughing. On the delivery side, I was extremely impressed — the shipping was blazing fast, and it arrived in perfect condition. The box was crisp and undamaged, the cards were neatly sealed, and everything felt brand new and high quality. It’s the kind of presentation that makes it feel special right out of the package, so I didn’t even have to wrap it much to make it gift-ready. Overall, I can’t recommend Codenames enough. It’s clever without being complicated, social without being chaotic, and the quality and speed of delivery just made the whole purchase experience a 10/10. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that works for almost any group of people, this is it. Totally recommend

Every once in awhile at my church, we do a game night with the the youth group. I was looking for a game I could play with my junior high and high school students, and came across Codenames. It was easy to learn and you can play multiple rounds quickly. We were able to play a bunch of times in a row with a total of 8 people. The wrinkle of accidentally choosing the assassin was always exciting each time we played. The teens of various ages all were engaged and found the game fun. Would definitely recommend!

Great game! It's good for hosting game night because everyone can play. It's one of the favorites!

Amazon service, shipping, packaging were all excellent and fast. The game is a birthday gift, so it is still u opened. We have played it before, and it is an interesting game!

Our friends brought this to one of our Game Nights, and I have to admit that I was a little skeptical based on corny "spy" theme and the overall look of the packaging. Boy oh boy, was a I pleasantly surprised!! In a nutshell, I loved this game for its simplicity in pieces (no crazy board or obnoxious amount of accessories) and its requirement to creatively think. The Rules: 1. Prepare the board. To do this, you simply lay out 25 white cards in a 5 by 5 grid. 2. Divide into two teams: red and blue. We had a group of 4, so we did 2 teams of 2. On each team, nominate one person to be the clue-giver. All remaining players are the guessers. 3. Let the clue-givers (one for each team) pick the one code-breaker card. This will essentially map the grid of white cards by assigning which cards belong to which team. For example, this means that the clue-giver on the red team is going to have to get the red team guesser(s) to guess the cards that are tagged as red. In addition to noting which of the 25 white cards are red and which are blue, the code-breaker card also selects one that is black (the assassin). If any guesser names the black card, the game is over. Untagged cards remain white. They are neutral, meaning that nothing happens if they are guessed. 4. Let the first team start. The clue-guesser must look at all of the cards that have been tagged to their team, and with one word, try to have the guesser(s) on their team say as many of the cards. The guessers look to all 25 cards, and not knowing which belong to their team, which belong to the other team, and which is the black assassin, try to name only cards that belong to their team. Example: The cards lips, lemon, mango, and ear are 4 cards on the 25 card grid. You are giving the clues and lips and lemon are tagged to your team. Mango and ear are tagged to the other team. This means you want to try to get your teammate(s) to say lemon and/or lips and NOT mango nor ear. If you say "flavor" it is not enough to distinguish between lemon and mango. If say "body part" it is not enough to distinguish between ear and lips. But maybe the clue "pucker" could be enough?! 5. Continue in this manner, going back and forth, until one team identifies all of their cards. That team is the winner! One thing I will note is that this game can move along rather slowly, because of its requirement to think. This means there can be a lot of downtime while you are waiting for the clue giver to come up with their clue. We were OK with this, but you might want to have some music or TV on in the background.

Fun game. Takes thought so doesn’t move fast.

Great game. Lots of fun!

Go through the rules first to enjoy this amazing game!

ممتعة، مفيدة ، عائلية ، حبيت

Excelente juego de mesa, muy recomendable para todos 🌝

Love this game, a go-to game for me and my friends.

The quality of the product is good and as represented. Must have for kids and family time. Quick and fun game.