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Description
Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their codenames — single-word labels like "disease", "Germany", and "carrot". Yes, carrot. It's a legitimate codename. Each spymaster wants their team to identify their agents first...without uncovering the assassin by mistake.
In Codenames, two teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Lay out 25 cards, each bearing a single word. The spymasters look at a card showing the identity of each card, then take turns clueing their teammates. A clue consists of a single word and a number, with the number suggesting how many cards in play have some association to the given clue word. The teammates then identify one agent they think is on their team; if they're correct, they can keep guessing up to the stated number of times; if the agent belongs to the opposing team or is an innocent bystander, the team's turn ends; and if they fingered the assassin, they lose the game.
Spymasters continue giving clues until one team has identified all of their agents or the assassin has removed one team from play.
Year Published
2015
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 20
This page: 20
Sentiment:
pos 18 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–20 of 20
Video U98QQzXm-zg
playthrough at 6:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12967 · mention_pk 37929
Click to watch at 6:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- team-based fun
- great party game
Cons
- requires at least two teams
- hints can be too vague for some players
Thematic elements
- communication and deduction
- spy-themed word game
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- word deduction — teams give hints to guide teammates to identify agents
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a great simple trick taking game for kids where you don't see your own cards
- the top rated two-player game for us on this channel
- exit could be a good option as a co-op game
- Skull here we go a super great little party game about bluffing
- Sleeping Gods the other great great story game here is a area control game in ancient Egypt you're playing Gods Railroad
- Leave a comment down below and I think if you would share this video with somebody who also would comment underneath
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aV07kxG67-4
Actual Oil q_and_a sentiment: positive
video_pk 12733 · mention_pk 37147
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Endlessly replayable
- Requires interesting understanding of friends
- Thinky gameplay
- Interesting push-or-luck aspect
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Word-based word association
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- word association — Players give one-word clues to help teammates guess words
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- You are being marketed to, this is all part of their plan
- I don't think board games are a hobby for a type of person
- Try as much as possible
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rdc4-jgHCz0
Watch It Played / Rodney Smith general_discussion at 2:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12141 · mention_pk 35522
Click to watch at 2:38
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- spies
- teams
- deduction
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's simple but brings so much emotions
- really really underrated game really love it
- i went all in on that kickstarter this is going to be the ultimate batman game in which it wasn't
- picking up phone checking stuff on phones your turn
- you didn't listen and another you explain all the rules
- if you don't like the game push through the end and never play it again but don't start saying that you hate the game
- just because we can reach bigger audience
- and we're friends so you can definitely be just don't talk about it
- i throw out the rules i don't like and put in rules i like and then i hope the game sells
- all euro games are the same
- they just feel so very similar
- they kind of kind of mush into one this big euro game mask
- sandwiches don't come free you know we need money to make sandwiches
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4vAcBW5146o
Board Game Hangover top_6_list at 1:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12055 · mention_pk 35333
Click to watch at 1:18
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong identification as a party-leaning game with broad appeal
- Excellent for video-call play with a simple app-assisted setup
Cons
- Requires coordination and good communication among players
- Can be challenging with very large groups if not moderated
Thematic elements
- Communication, deduction, and subtlety
- Spy-themed word-guessing competition in teams.
- Team-based clue-giving and guessing
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clue-giving by a captain — Each team captain provides a one-word clue and a number to guide teammates.
- word guessing — Teams attempt to find their words based on cryptic messages.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The aim of the game is to think exactly how everyone else thinks you get a question like what's the best hot drink
- Simple but there is this one trickery the pink cow
- the game is best played from four to eight players
- Codenames is a party game that blew up in 2015.
- the basic idea is that you're all spies and you give each other cryptic messages to find the right answers
- the best way to play this game on a video call is through this app and we're going to link it down in the description
- we feel that this game is best for 4 to 12 people
- this is the localized version but it's just one so this is the localized version
- it's a word guessing game it's a co-op game where all of you give clues to a single player that tries to guess his word
- the trick is that before we show these clues to the guesser we compare them and all clues that are the same or similar gets erased
- it's a really good party game for all ages
- one person to have the physical version and everybody else can just have a paper and pen
- i'm a bit biased here but i would say this is my favorite game to play on video call
- the best part is that you basically can play from three to unlimited number of players
- they are all accessible meaning that they are for free or really really cheap
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ayRMhIac3ms
Going Analog interview at 1:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11468 · mention_pk 33720
Click to watch at 1:40
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high energy and social interaction
- easy to teach and learn quickly
- great for larger groups and stream-friendly play
Cons
- vocabulary-dependent
- can become chaotic with very large player counts or players unfamiliar with clues
Thematic elements
- word association and teamwork under time pressure
- Spy/secret agents operate in a tense, coded environment where teams race to identify their agents through clues.
- lighthearted and party-like with high social interaction
Comparison games
- Decrypto
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- limited information signaling — Clues must be concise and strategic, balancing breadth of hint with precision.
- team-based play — Two teams compete to identify their assigned words first, fostering quick social dynamics and bluffing.
- word guessing — Teams attempt to guess their own words on a grid using one-word clues given by their spymaster, aiming to avoid opposing words and the assassin.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm very scared I even like I had a nightmare last night I was like I know I'm going to do so bad
- Camel Up does in fact actually play up to eight players
- you didn't fail you job number two man if I gotten eight that would have been perfect
- ark nova but you did quite well
- Baron Park you can add three points and you are now at four points for the game so far
- takenoko the chibies EXP Manion because it's from a panda
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video src84T3EnZo
Might I Suggest a Game top_10_list at 0:16 sentiment: other
video_pk 9655 · mention_pk 28522
Click to watch at 0:16
Overall sentiment (raw)
Great idea with execution problems
Pros
- Great concept
- Popular since 2015 release
- Engaging word association
- Fun party game
Cons
- Analysis paralysis from clue givers
- Excessive waiting time
- Competitive pressure adds stress
- Not ideal for party atmosphere
- Slow play pace
- Clue giver burden
Thematic elements
- Espionage
- Hidden words
- Word association
- Team competition
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Saying that Catan is the best game out there is like saying a 95 Camry is the best car ever - sure it set the standard in its day but things have progressed since then
- Are you looking to take your game collection to the next level?
- The castles of burgundy is the perfect next step for someone who's out there wondering if there's more to life than Catan
- Metro X is a much smaller and much lighter game that carries the joy of Ticket to Ride in a package you could bring on an actual train and enjoy
- That's Pretty Clever feels like if Yahtzee had an older brother that went to college got his degree and didn't develop a gambling addiction
- Hive is just the right amount of abstract thinking to feel like a challenge while still being fun
- Picture Perfect has those elements of Clue that have made it a staple for so many years - it cranks the deduction all the way up to 11
- When was the last time you made it to the end of a game of Trivial Pursuit without either cheating or giving up or throwing the game?
- Half Truth is a trivia game the way it's meant to be played - it's quick, it's fun, and it doesn't punish you too hard if you don't know something
- If your clue giver has any form of analysis paralysis at all then you might as well pick up a new hobby because you're going to be waiting forever
- So Clover is low stakes, it's quick, it's really easy to teach and you still get all the fun of hidden clues and word association
- You still get that Scrabble satisfaction of making the perfect word but it's in a time frame that's incredibly manageable
- The Crew takes the classic trick taking game formula and adds just enough of that special sauce to make it one of the most accessible and most fun games
- There are better games out there, there are way better games out there that fit those criteria and don't make your grandma cringe
- Monikers is a perfect party game that's super easy to learn and leads to a ton of memorable moments
- I'm a board game sommelier
- I hope this list gives you some ideas on what to give or what to ask for this holiday season
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4K26gqbkYwE
John Perkis general_discussion at 23:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8830 · mention_pk 26055
Click to watch at 23:19
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, fast, and highly social
- Excellent gateway to social deduction and party games
Cons
- Can lead to frustration if clues miss the mark
Thematic elements
- Social deduction through clues
- Word association party game
Comparison games
- Balderdash
- Dixit
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- word association / clue giving — Teams compete to identify their agents based on one-word clues.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a terrible game I have done a video about why you should never play Monopoly
- this is a cooperative word building game this is quite a clever idea you've got letter cards you can't communicate and you're trying to
- this is a big group game a massive group game that you can play with like 30 people
- Sushi Go Party is a brilliant gateway hand drafting game where you're trying to eat the best meal of sushi
- Forbidden Island this is a very simple cooperative game from Matt Leacock the designer of pandemic
- Santorini is a wonderful abstract game it looks amazing on the table
- Mysterium does an incredible job of showing how different and exciting board games can be to new audiences
- I love Pandemic the original game which is now in this box
- it's a huge entertainment experience that has a lot of storytelling potential and a social component that keeps people engaged
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IUJNR05X4G4
game_setup at 0:00 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 8585 · mention_pk 25284
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team play — Players divided into teams (Hot and Cool)
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Do you want a safe one or a dangerous three?
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video AVPQ0Qou9X0
Techos top_15_list at 4:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8342 · mention_pk 24557
Click to watch at 4:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- party-friendly
- easy to teach
- great social interaction
Cons
- wordplay can be hit or miss with groups
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- word guessing — team-based word association and clue giving
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love Wingspan. As you know, it's my number one board game of all time.
- My number one game this year is Date of Merchants.
- This is like one of my most favorite games ever.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video y6a2NxC02xg
general_discussion at 8:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8147 · mention_pk 23918
Click to watch at 8:55
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High mass-appeal and accessibility
- Easy to teach and quick to play
- Engages mixed groups of gamers and non-gamers
Cons
- Can hinge on social dynamics and luck of the clue grid
Thematic elements
- Secret clues and word associations
- Office/spy-themed word game
- Team-based deduction with word networks
Comparison games
- Connections
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team guessing — Guess words while avoiding the assassin and opposing agents
- word association — Teams clue words on a grid to guide teammates toward their agents
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Wavelength has a lot of good things going for it
- it's perfect for close friends at a holiday party
- Poetry for neanderthals is a team based game that's all about using one syllable words
- Codenames is an ultra popular board game about giving secret clues to your teammates
- Blood in the Clock Tower is an evolution of the classic Mafia and Werewolf
- Camel Up is the greatest crowd pleaser of them all
- Skull comes in a small box and it's a super quick teach and keeps the attention on one another
- Zuus is a negotiation game where up to seven people are trying to make their animal faction the star attraction in a zoo
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kTOVCUF7MsA
Actualol general_discussion at 0:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7791 · mention_pk 23037
Click to watch at 0:22
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast-paced and highly social
- Great party/game-night staple
- Simple to learn but hard to master
Cons
- Can be punishing if clue interpretation goes wrong
- Requires players comfortable with abstract wordplay
Thematic elements
- communication, deduction, social bluffing
- Character-driven word association party game set in a spy-themed milieu.
- light, social, competitive wordplay
Comparison games
- Pandemic
- Sushi Go!
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team play — Two teams compete to locate agents on the grid via clues.
- word association — Teams give one-word clues to help teammates identify their agents.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It’s not just for geeks anymore!
- Board games are not just for geeks anymore!
- If you are socially able You’re invited to the table
- Take shots at your friends, playing Cash ‘n’ Guns
- Buy a Ticket to Ride
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0br4tFM8YHc
Shelf Elf - Holiday Game Night general_discussion at 0:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5643 · mention_pk 16741
Click to watch at 0:43
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast rounds
- great ice-breaker for groups
Cons
- clues can misfire and stall the game
- solitaire players may feel less engaged
Thematic elements
- covert communication and team play
- modern espionage word game
- light-hearted party game with competitive deduction
Comparison games
- Space Base
- Patchwork
- Wingspan
- Blood Rage
- The Crew
- Splendor
- Catan
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team-based play — two teams compete to identify their agents on a shared grid
- word association — teammates guess agent words based on a one-word clue from the spymaster
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "Code Names, now Space Base, now Patchwork and Wingspan, on Blood Rage, on the crew, on Splendor and Katan."
- "Take your turn. Take your turn. Take your turn. Play."
- "He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work."
- "Take care cuz I'll be back again."
- "For gamers who cheat or gamers who whine, or gamers whose turns take up far too much time, they bend up the cards."
- "The shelf elf gives them what they deserve."
- "happy gaming to all and I hope that you win."
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aOcNoOz_fE4
Unknown Channel trivia_show at 7:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4916 · mention_pk 14587
Click to watch at 7:05
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral-to-positive
Pros
- strong social interaction
- clear, approachable rules
Cons
- crashes if clues misfire
- relies on wordplay and vibe of teammates
Thematic elements
- team-based communication and deduction
- spy-themed word association
- social, party-game vibe
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- captain/clue-giver — a designated clue-giver on each team
- team play — two teams competing to guess correct words
- word association — one-word clue with a single number to guide teammates
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's a Tetris-like game where you have cats in different shapes and you're just trying to fill out your ship"
- "you're saving them on that ship by filling it out and you score points for that"
- "it's a really beautiful game"
- "Chronicles of Crime is a deduction game where you're solving a crime by scanning with the app different clues and and people and then they talk to you"
- "Code names is a team game where there's a captain on each team and he's giving out clues to his teammates and they're trying to guess the words"
- "Agricola Tolkien damn it"
- "exactly one point for you"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video QTAE7EeMDEE
Board Game Replay gameplay sentiment: positive
video_pk 4116 · mention_pk 12048
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Interactive gameplay
- Encourages creative thinking
- Fun group activity
Cons
- Can be challenging
- Requires good communication
Thematic elements
- Spy/Intelligence communication
- Word-guessing party game
- Competitive word association
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- team play — Two teams compete to identify their words first
- word association — Players give one-word clues to help teammates guess words
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We raised a lot of money for Boston Children's Hospital
- This footage came from a live stream, so it's more candid than normal footage
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZU96sumKmSc
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 7:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3149 · mention_pk 9249
Click to watch at 7:40
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High accessibility
- Strong party game
Cons
- Does not scale well for larger groups
- Can be harsh on clue quality
Thematic elements
- Spy/agents and clues
- Cooperative word-guessing game
- Word-deduction
Comparison games
- Azul
- Wingspan
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clue giving — One player gives a clue linking multiple words.
- Team-based word deduction — Teams guess words from clues.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- number one was Azul I had it in the first spot
- number two it might not be on the list
- number nine is Wingspan actually wouldn't you believe that Wingspan was that bpan
- I want to take Katan
- Scout is number 10
- Azul top one
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PwLw1YCx16A
Unknown Channel game_review at 1:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2351 · mention_pk 6896
Click to watch at 1:43
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging and social word-guessing experience
- Encourages strategic thinking while staying accessible
- High replay value with many word combinations
- Strong production quality and components
- Excellent party game fit for groups
Cons
- Clue quality can be highly dependent on players' vocabulary
- Rare luck can influence rounds
- Requires at least four players for full competitive play
Thematic elements
- codes, espionage, word association
- Casual party/game night setting, teams guessing words under clue constraints
- abstract, puzzle-like
Comparison games
- Stockpile
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Board and timer — Two shared word cards, a timer element to speed rounds.
- Clue giving with constraints — Clue giver selects a single word clue and a number, with restrictions (no proper nouns, etc.).
- Private/public word cards — Each team has a private word card; only their team can see it.
- team-based play — Two teams compete, alternating clue givers to guess words.
- word guessing — Teams guess words based on clues given by a clue giver.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're cracking this one open at many future gaming parties
- if your group loves word guessing games this one's a must
- this one's another hit
- it gets an 8 out of 10
- team-based game for at least four players the object of the game is to guess five words correctly to win game
- the clue givers will give their team a private word that only their team can see
- they can tell them what clue to emphasize ignore if used to throw the other team off or even think of the opposite word
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xEf9vSTr6PY
Unknown top_10_list at 0:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1573 · mention_pk 4550
Click to watch at 0:07
Overall sentiment (raw)
very_positive
Pros
- Plays well in almost any situation
- Good for pubs
- Cooperative gameplay
- Already talked about extensively
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- spy
- party
- strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Friday night you're going to the pub you're taking with you games
- the criteria you can fit it in your pocket or little bags
- the game should be a background in this case to your conversation with your friends
- I don't think there is a game that I've laughed that much as I've done in this game [about Catch]
- you sitting in a pub would look just silly would have lots of laughs
- in no way we encourage drinking alcohol you can play these games while drinking any beverage
- it's a game you can play in almost any situations and Pub is no exception [about Codenames]
- all of these are great I would take any of these to play with me at a pub
- simple they're fun could even be like this all of these work just find out which one you do enjoy better
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video h9t4dJ1M-Mc
Unknown top_10_list at 3:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1177 · mention_pk 3432
Click to watch at 3:06
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- great travel party game
- editions expand audience and replayability
- flexible player counts
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- spy word association
- party/word game
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- editions and themes — different boxed sets (e.g., Harry Potter, Animals) allow varied experiences
- team-based play — two teams compete, with hidden information and need to avoid the assassin card
- word clue giving — one-word clues guide teammates to identify their cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a small card game
- it's easy to explain
- you can start playing without explaining the rules
- one of those cards is like the person you need to find
- you can mix and match these sets as well
- it's a cooperative trick taking game
- mind bug well that's freshy this is a really freshy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video MouAWsFSo9M
top_10_list at 1:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 620 · mention_pk 1804
Click to watch at 1:24
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Accessible
- Fun for all ages
- Team-based play
Cons
- Risk of losing by guessing the assassin
Thematic elements
- Word guessing
- Spy theme
- Team-based communication
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clue giving — Team captain provides one-word clues to help teammates guess words
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Most of these are partyish games, right? Yeah, they're very very light.
- If you would like us to go over also the gamers top 10 spiel games and rank those, let us know in the comments down below.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bFejmp9yuGo
John Perkins top_10_list at 32:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 215 · mention_pk 590
Click to watch at 32:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
extremely positive
Pros
- Social interaction
- Clever design
- Language-based challenge
- High replayability
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Word association and guessing
- Team-based word puzzle
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Clue giving — Providing single-word clues to guess multiple words
- Team competition — Teams try to guess their words before the other team
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- If I was on death row because I'd murdered an anthropomorphic animal and the guards asked me what my final request was, I'd ask them to let me out and then I'd go home and play these awesome games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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