C*den@^^es

stop....!
You can read this coded message below or watch this video, that will self destruct in 18 minutes...

Codenames is one of those games that fit the party style genera. Or for me personally, the "game show" genera. Because, when I am playing it, I feel the weight of a TV crew on my shoulders as well as the weight of me fellow team mates.

It's a game that puts the pressure on you, whether your giving clues or trying to deduce them.
​
It's a game that, no matter if you win or loose, you will have a laugh for being a good contestant.

It's a game were intelligence and cool thinking will prevail.

In this game, two teams of players will be trying to find their Spies out in the field, where there are the other teams spies. Civilians. And also an Assassin.

One player from each team will become a Master (operator) and have information to the location of their Spies, Civies and Assassin. Then try to communicate the location of their own Spies to the team, by using one clue word and a number. This one word clue will represent a connection to the "Codenames" of their Spies. The Number is the number of their Spies, who's Codename relates to the clue.

The game uses a rather dull looking set of cards. Each of them contains a word, much like other games of this ilk. But all the words are simple and clear to understand. Out of the hundreds of double sided cards, only 25 of them are used in a round. Laid out in a 5 by 5 grid, creating a field that corresponds to a card that the Masters will have.  

The game sounds easier than it look or than you think. But that is the great challenge about it. Being open minded and quick thinking in making chains words between the words on display.

Not particularly fun for the unimaginative as they will slowly work through the game while the quick witted will whiz through. So balancing the teams is important in the fun factor. But also, those unimaginative player will bring lots of laughter and light hearted-ness to the game.

The game works in all sorts of environments. Playing couples against each other or large teams going head to head. The saying, the more the merrier differently fits this game. Bring laughter and wackiness to the table.

---

Codenames now comes in many disguises.
From kid friendly Disney to adult not-so-friendly Deep Undercover

My ratings on the game are:
Technical score 7.5/10
Dull to look at / Great mechanics
My BGG score 9/10
Great fun to play / A little difficult to master
Combined score of 8.25/10

This game is definitely 
​"my cuppa tea"