How many players can play Codenames?

Codenames supports 4 to 8 players.

How long does a game of Codenames take?

A typical game of Codenames takes approximately 15 minutes.

What are the best video reviews of Codenames?

MindForge has curated 213 video reviews of Codenames from top board game content creators.

What type of game is Codenames?

Codenames features mechanics including Action Timer, Deduction, Limited Communication, Pattern Recognition, Word Building.

Codenames - Board Game

Video 8RVJBrDNkPM BoardGameCo Review at 0:58 sentiment: positive

video_pk 100038 · mention_pk 278133

Click to watch at 0:58 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Tremendously satisfying word puzzle game
Word cards are far more open than picture-based versions
Excellent base game that has received a 5 out of 5 rating

Cons

Traditional version plays best at 4+ players, ideally 4, 6, or 8, making it less suitable for smaller groups

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

clue-giving — One player (clue master) gives a single word clue and a number to their team to guess specific cards on a grid.
team-based play — Two teams compete against each other, with one clue giver and at least one guesser per team.
word association — Players must connect the clue to multiple word cards on a 5x5 grid while avoiding opponent's cards and an 'assassin' card.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I'm not entirely sure why they chose four-plus. You can play this at two, at three, at four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10. It starts to get a little unwieldy, honestly, at that point.
This is very different. It brings a lot of new mechanics to the table.
I find it's just less interesting than just playing open-ended Codenames.
I'm not here for the story. It is a nice cute charming thing that that for the first time I go through each mission, it's great.
This is the biggest innovation Codenames has seen since Codenames: Duet came on the scene, which I thought was a great addition to the Codenames family.
I still find the theme deck to be slightly less great.
Codenames has been a five out of five game for me for a very, very, very long time.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 8RVJBrDNkPM BoardGameCo Review at 2:51 sentiment: positive

video_pk 100038 · mention_pk 278274

Click to watch at 2:51 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Clever system for two-player cooperative play
Great addition to the Codenames family
Has come very close to the play count of regular Codenames

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Codenames
Codenames Critical Role Adventures

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative clue-giving — Players work together to identify their agents while avoiding assassins, taking turns giving single-word clues for multiple cards.
Two-Player Game — The game is designed to be played by two players, offering a dedicated cooperative experience.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I'm not entirely sure why they chose four-plus. You can play this at two, at three, at four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10. It starts to get a little unwieldy, honestly, at that point.
This is very different. It brings a lot of new mechanics to the table.
I find it's just less interesting than just playing open-ended Codenames.
I'm not here for the story. It is a nice cute charming thing that that for the first time I go through each mission, it's great.
This is the biggest innovation Codenames has seen since Codenames: Duet came on the scene, which I thought was a great addition to the Codenames family.
I still find the theme deck to be slightly less great.
Codenames has been a five out of five game for me for a very, very, very long time.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video _OpOZguzg98 Let's Table It Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 99493 · mention_pk 276623

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

clever
quick to teach
had our whole family laughing

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deduction — Everyone else has to figure out exactly where your clue belongs in the circle.
word association — Trying to connect two completely unrelated words with just one clue.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

What if Codenames so clever and Edo had a baby?

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video xEZI5EZVWTA The Dice Tower Rules Teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 99442 · mention_pk 276494

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

The game is really interesting because you can make the clues really obvious.
You need all three clues to get the answer, not just any two.
Very rarely does someone get it after one clue, but it can happen.

Cons

You have to be careful because you want the clues to be built in such a way that you need all three clues to get the answer, not just any two.
Sometimes I'll make two clues really obvious and hope those aren't the two that the other team draws.
The opposing team gets two guesses at first.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Clue giving — The speaker discusses the careful construction of clues, emphasizing that all three clues are needed to get the answer, not just any two. They also mention making clues obvious but hoping the opposing team doesn't draw the obvious ones.
guessing — The speaker notes that players can sometimes guess the answer after one clue, but the opposing team gets two guesses.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

The game is really interesting because you can make the clues really obvious, but you have to be careful because you want the clues to be built in such a way that you need all three clues to get the answer, not just any two.
You know, it's tricky.
Sometimes I'll make two clues really obvious and hope those aren't the two that the other team draws.
Very rarely does it someone get it after one clue, but it can happen, and the fact that your opposing team gets two guesses at first.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video c2pULaBLStY Rolling Dice & Taking Names Review at 45:49 sentiment: positive

video_pk 95308 · mention_pk 262088

Click to watch at 45:49 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Highly enjoyable two-player experience.
Good for couples.
More engaging than the original Codenames for some players.
Versatile and easy to teach.
High replayability.

Cons

Some players (like Donna) might not enjoy it.
Can be very tense and lead to painful mistakes.

Thematic elements

Two spymasters work together to identify all their team's agents before the other team does.

Comparison games

Codenames Pictures
Codenames Marvel
Codenames Disney
Codenames After Dark
Roast King

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Assassin Mechanic — Hitting an assassin card immediately ends the game.
cooperative play — Two players work together to guess words.
Double-Sided Grid — Each player sees a different set of target words on the grid.
Grid deduction — Players guess words on a 5x5 grid.
Limited turns — Players have nine turns to guess all their words.
word association — Players give one-word clues and a number to link multiple words on the grid.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

You know, here you are, you're professional actor. Almost. I'm trying to be professional.
I don't know why you're still mean to Rodney all the time, Marty.
My highlight of his life is to play Dungeons & Dragons and he said that he gets like eight of his friends together and I'm quoting I do like a spread of food he has a dungeon room downstairs in our basement is spectacular I decorated a forum I bring him food and he sits there for like six or eight hours playing D&D Wow Wow
It's it's broken down every scenario is broken down into souls or you know solar days on Mars and right around in each of the scenarios I played I've now played three scenarios the the right around soul three or four you go oh that's what I'm supposed to be doing here it goes here we go and you get the engine going just a little too late
This game is built on one thing on your turn you don't I basically do one thing you're gonna make skill checks you're gonna select an action and make some sort of skill check and that is handled through this action deck that you have but the action deck also contains the cards that you actually taken to your hand that you can use over the course of the game but the action deck is also your life it's all rolled into one
The artwork on the cards whenever you're laying out this map with these cards the artwork makes sense from card to card it create it creates kind of this mosaic of the seventh continent and it's just stunning on the table it looks it looks amazing
It's just super simple super manageable a great way to get people in there's just seven distinct different factions a great way to get into like something that would have a bigger selection
The value of connecting with friends through board games.
Having a nice little you know top or a thing would it would have been nice cuz I'd probably a couple times I'll probably knock some dice off the table and everything
the production is top-notch. definitely phenomenal
these things are pushed to fit... they will actually stay together.
the board itself is super manageable and it comes with two game boards and they're both like rectangles and they're they're double-sided
the strategy is is how you build your objective deck and how you build your power deck
if you have more critical successes than the other person even though you have more successes overall the attack fails
this is perfect [for board gamers or people just getting in]. absolutely perfect for them
I suck at teaching rules
people just had the best time in the world playing
I forgot that [rule about area control]
I don't really get the whole area control thing... I didn't see it was really that important

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Z7laxJni19w Rolling Dice & Taking Names News at 1:06:40 sentiment: positive

video_pk 95196 · mention_pk 261281

Click to watch at 1:06:40 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Very Positive

Pros

Great two-player cooperative experience.
Different and more serious than expected.
Excellent concept.

Cons

Some players may not want to play the campaign.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative play — Players work together against the game.
Deduction — Players deduce the correct words based on clues.
Party Game — Codenames has been this party game I played for years
Two-Player Game — it's the 's the big size version for people like us who can't read small fonts
word association — Players give clues based on words.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Looks like a beast on the table but when you hear it's like it's an engine building game you like I could play an engine building game
We sat down to play that game hole holy cow we were literally passing a hat Vil around the table for how much thinking you had to put into that game that surprised me
this game London when we first saw it at Gen Con when Oscar green said hey guys scream hey come take a look at this
the cover of the game box and how plain it is but mm-hmm it really some reason fits this game it just looks nice the cover looks elegant and the art is really good and then you actually get into the game and you find this really elegant cool little card game
engineers it was really cool cuz it's kind of math because you had to like the little algebraic problems you have to solve but it's such a great thing of a dice manipulation game plus the area control game plus a set collection game all merged into one that's one of those I really got to the table a lot in 2017
and Tony this was actually one of the early games in 2017 that really grabbed us one of those that didn't look that great on the table but then you start playing in and it's one of those that we just played over and over and over again and just just really enjoyed it
that rule about when that third dragon comes out yes everything stops correct I kept saying it and kept saying it and reminding people boy we had a flip the table moment when that occurred
oh die another seaman without miniatures look at that
two seam on one two squirrely Awards and neither games had merci ya don't have to put miniatures in the game to make it go no you don't lure in DOS so good
it's what I call the reverse work replacement where you're taking stuff off the board and putting it on your board in order to activate things I just thought was a really unique mechanic
and again tony is one of those shockers for us at the beginning year I had never heard of gentes and we got an early copy and try to try it out and it blew us away

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video cPu7j2208SM Rolling Dice & Taking Names Analysis at 3:12 sentiment: positive

video_pk 94952 · mention_pk 260366

Click to watch at 3:12 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

very popular party game
easy to teach
inexpensive

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

my name is Marty these are my musings
I love looking at empirical cells data whether it be for movies or comic books or albums it doesn't matter I like seeing what the top sellers are
those four games have been around for quite a while which goes to show that either one people in this hobby are still buying those games or hopefully hopefully people are coming into the hobby and those are those gateway games that everybody recommends for people to check out
evergreen as' I just made that term up
it doesn't matter how often they refresh that game it's always a fantastic seller thing is though I bet it drops out of the top ten in the next quarter
so to have this game that is a hundred bucks still continue to sell well quarter after quarter year after year is just a testament to how popular that game is
exploding kicking kicking exploding chickens now that would be funny
now when I first saw Dominion on this list I thought wait a minute that should be a board game but I guess when you really think about it it's nothing but cards 100% card game
I love Arkham Horror LCG I have been into LCG games since they first came out
with Arkham Horror LCG every time I play that game I am totally sucked into the story
sweet sweet game if you have not tried it I highly recommend checking it out
Seven Wonders is considered a card game come on it's got player boards it's got a lot of different tokens I think personally that should belong in the board game category and not the cards and dice Hey but maybe I'm wrong
Games Workshop is killing it right now
Dungeons & Dragons since the release of the fifth edition has just skyrocketed in popularity it has taken over everything
it's yugioh TCG key Forge and Dragon Ball super
it's really cool to see ki Forge up in there
While it's not a CCG in the sense of you buy blind booster packs you don't know what's gonna be in there instead you're buying a blind deck and not sure what's gonna be in there I guess it still has a collectible aspect to it
since that game just came out also fourth quarter of last year it was hot it was hard to find
you were you surprised by any on this list or did you think there would be someone this list that weren't on there
smash that like button and flip that subscribe button

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 8wfnktJqnBc Rolls in the Family Discussion at 2:44

video_pk 94813 · mention_pk 259337

Click to watch at 2:44 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We're here for fitness game collection.
This is Rolls in the Family.
Um Yep. And Daniel finally got his priorities straight
We're going to argue where you put things on a board game shelf.
This is we're already to our first big controversial moment here.
No, it's best.
The wall is also nonstructural.
People think this is easy. I tell you what they're think
This is what the they tune in for.
You know me. I'm assuming you want this light, bright, and jumbo alphabet puzzle down here, too.
Structurally sound, folks. Structurally sound.
Can you imagine the thumbnail? We could like catch it midshelves falling on us.
This is where we start to test the industrial integrity of these shelves.
Oh, it better.
We learned that you can turn a box.
Millennium Blades is the weird one.
You actually didn't get enough shelves.
Primal takes up the same space as like nine games.
Why play games? You can just move them around.
We have slightly different taste.
I'm more willing to sacrifice that for games that like feel like they should be next to each other.
I love aesthetize their whole collection by color.
It's like disregard for function.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 4OHWCxS0MJk Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 1:34:03

video_pk 94710 · mention_pk 258758

Click to watch at 1:34:03 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

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 a popularity contest
those are your gateway games that will eventually lead to the pandemics
I'm not gonna begrudge anybody to sit and play Monopoly that that's all they know man
if you like monopoly you might like and then suggest something else
I will play Monopoly with you anytime as long as we play by the rules
there's the problem everybody has a slight what do you play with this particular rule no there's no house rules play by the real rules
I think that's a natural step and I think people could easily go from monopoly to ticket to ride

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video tcwyRM2-Pb8 Rolling Dice & Taking Names Analysis at 7:34 sentiment: positive

video_pk 93520 · mention_pk 253178

Click to watch at 7:34 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

sells well year after year

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

much like people do when they buy a house fix it up and then flip it for some extra money
it's when it comes to the games are like the best in the category for maybe a party or two-player game or best game overall because then it comes down for me for fun and fun is a very subjective thing
the tell of games has been affected - when it comes to the kind of boom and bust mentality a game comes out if it doesn't hit in the first two weeks it's done and you move on whereas in years past games had a little more time to find their feet and take root with an audience
there's also a cult of the new mentality right now which is a very bad thing to have in this kind of hobby

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video kSf9WUuKOt0 Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 1:30:09 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 93537 · mention_pk 253928

Click to watch at 1:30:09 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

none

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I was so excited to get some shrink wrap off of some games yes and then have to go through the part of opening up Rule books and trying to read rules and then teach rules to all these new games which that's becoming a chore for me it really is.
The way you deal damage is just like it was with crossfire so everybody basically has a start the deck of cards cleric screen rogues red mages blue and martial arts the fighter is black and the encounters that you have to deal damage based on color.
You cannot go wrong when there is a game that has an appetizer in it.
It wasn't anything that I couldn't overcome I understood you know just got play the colors go do the deck building it was very simple from that simple but one thing that threw me off was that event deck.
I am trying my best to teach it and I can just look across the table everybody's like yeah whatever and I'm like okay huh face grand bazarre.
It's like oh my gosh Makris gonna teach a game we're not gonna learn it he's gonna screw up the rules and there's this negativity out there and so yeah I am discounted for trying.
Ignasi is standing right there with an incredible shirt of first Martian where'd you get that so sweet look at those like yeah there was a gift from Erin especially for the show.
Basically it is a one whole period of pain and frustration and I strongly this no no don't do it don't don't go this path.
So everybody across the world can watch yes we did it two years ago and last year we did it we didn't do this we definitely shouldn't do this so I totally agree yes yeah cool and I'm kind of curious how difficult is it for a non polish speaking individual to attempt portal con is it going to would it be like terrible no we each year we have couple of our fans from the from the Europe flight tickets in Europe are not that expensive so coming from for a poor token from Italy or from Germany or from the Spain he's not that big a cost and for these players is a one day filled with absolutely craziness about the portal games or people playing portal games games most of our fans speak English fluently because they are gamers so of course they use BoardGameGeek of course they listen to the podcast over so they are fluent in English so there's no problems playing games and as I mentioned like for the for the people's hardcore fans of portal games from German or of France or Italy there is not a big deal to come to us so every single proton we have a couple of people from different countries.
No you don't say Michael's gonna do anything bad or anything like that but just like what could it be I was pleasantly surprised because he sent us these treats that I had heard people talk about before called well it looks like I said stroopwafels but they're Dutch treats so I assume they're pronounced strip strip waffle or something like that just stop just stop don't embarrass just I'm trying to be correct here okay I don't say it's stroopwafel okay fine anyway.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 3tFr7Cr9Yno The Dice Tower Review at 0:17 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92829 · mention_pk 249629

Click to watch at 0:17 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

It works because you will know the most obvious clue in the world.
It works as a very good clue giving game.
It becomes golden when everyone else at the table goes, "Oh, no."

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Clue giving — The core of the game involves giving and guessing clues.
word association — Players associate words based on clues, as exemplified by the 'C' clue.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

That's where this game shines I think is that it works cuz a very good clue giving game.
And when everyone else at the table goes, "Oh, no."
That's when this game becomes golden for me, right?

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video zaM5kZPoPlg Grant Lyon Top List at 1:38 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92852 · mention_pk 249702

Click to watch at 1:38 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

distills Codenames into a two-player cooperative game
clever word association
satisfying when good clues are given and words are guessed

Cons

a little more difficult than original Codenames
less of a big party game feel

Thematic elements

word association

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative play — Players work together to identify words based on clues.
word association — Players give single-word clues to help their partner guess multiple words from a grid, avoiding 'assassins'.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

One of the biggest trends in the board game hobby over the last few years has been dual versions of board games.
A two-player version of a game is often times easier to get to the table, you know, when you only have one other person you can you can get it played more often and sometimes these dual versions kind of distill a game down and make it a quicker experience as well and I like that too.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video fH3mFHGwjvE Getting Games Discussion at 1:39 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92277 · mention_pk 247868

Click to watch at 1:39 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Appears to work well with large groups (discussion of 6-12 players).
Host expresses strong excitement and intent to try it (pre-ordered and eager to play).

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Clue giving with a one-word and one-number clue — Spy master gives a clue consisting of a single word and a number to direct teammates to guess their agents.
Hidden affiliation mapping — Spy masters know which of the 25 cards belong to their team, the opposing team, or the assassin.
Team guessing and spy master roles — Teams guess cards based on the clue; spy master identifies their own agents; assassin card ends the round or loses for the team.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's a party game sish but it also definitely has some thinking stuff going on
I have been quite disappointed by warful Bonanza
the person who rolled the dice better wins
I could see it being played almost every single game night

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video yo01z2Nfm88 Getting Games Top 20 List at 3:23 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92235 · mention_pk 247765

Click to watch at 3:23 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

great party vibe
easy to scale with different group sizes

Cons

none

Thematic elements

word association clues to guide your team
party game

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

one-word clues with a number — spymaster gives a single word and a number; team tries to guess the related words on a 5x5 grid
team play — two teams; spymasters know which cards belong to their team and which are dangerous or neutral
Word Deciphering — spymaster gives a single word and a number; team tries to guess the related words on a 5x5 grid

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the spatial arrangement really matters
you put stickers down you rip cards up and so the next time you play things are fundamentally different
it's a wonderful crunchy delicious way
this game just explode with awesome tension
this is such a great ice breaker
it's such a great party vibe
through the ages is the best board game I've ever played

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video cbBFm3Wk_iY Watch It Played Discussion at 30:51 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92188 · mention_pk 247597

Click to watch at 30:51 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Offers a new visual twist on a popular game
Potential to be a preferred way to play Codenames

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Word association game using pictures instead of words.

Comparison games

Codenames
Dixit

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deduction — Teams guess the correct pictures based on the clues.
word association — Players give one-word clues to link multiple pictures.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Pap, you still haven't received your Tekkaido that you backed at a pretty high amount because you got your own character in the game.
It's funny. We we talked about that at some point. Just like the humor, like the humor of doing something like a pep talks where I would talk about, you know, like some advice for particular games and it's something I like that. I like that. I love that idea of a pep talk.
Rebel Mage here uh, left a message just said, "Pep, just want to say you're a great co-host for watching play. Keep up the good work."
For me, it's probably going to be Star Realms. Star Realms is very high on here as well for me. Um, but I kind of want to skip that just because of how repeatable Star Realms is anyway. And I'm going to go to Sheriff of Nottingham.
Uh, this is self- serving, but I would dress up as a Mounty and be my character from the Dead of Winter promo that's in the fundraiser.
I'd want to find something I already look like and kind of like I wouldn't just go as my favorite character. I'd go as a character that I think I that I could that I could best look even kind of naturally almost, right?
Yes, we talk about it somewhat frequently actually. Like, oh, we should probably cover some of the old older classics. Yeah, cuz there are still people today who pick up those games and and want to uh learn how to play them, right?
Every game. But the one that always comes to mind for me is uh Pathfinder and any game that's kind of trying to do what the Pathfinder adventure card game is doing because in that game whenever you level up and complete missions, you get like draw a random item out of the box or do this or do that.
Like Seall has something similar to that. They have an emnity thing. If you attack someone then they remember that other players remember that in in the game's mechanics and then that comes back to haunt you later or whatever.
The whole idea of under Mountain is like it's constantly shifting and like it's the surroundings are changing. So every time you go down, things will be a little different anyway. So it' be really cool to make like a legacy style dungeon exploring thing around the end of that naturally.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video cbBFm3Wk_iY Watch It Played Discussion at 34:41 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92188 · mention_pk 247605

Click to watch at 34:41 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Positive

Pros

Something that needs to be added

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Pap, you still haven't received your Tekkaido that you backed at a pretty high amount because you got your own character in the game.
It's funny. We we talked about that at some point. Just like the humor, like the humor of doing something like a pep talks where I would talk about, you know, like some advice for particular games and it's something I like that. I like that. I love that idea of a pep talk.
Rebel Mage here uh, left a message just said, "Pep, just want to say you're a great co-host for watching play. Keep up the good work."
For me, it's probably going to be Star Realms. Star Realms is very high on here as well for me. Um, but I kind of want to skip that just because of how repeatable Star Realms is anyway. And I'm going to go to Sheriff of Nottingham.
Uh, this is self- serving, but I would dress up as a Mounty and be my character from the Dead of Winter promo that's in the fundraiser.
I'd want to find something I already look like and kind of like I wouldn't just go as my favorite character. I'd go as a character that I think I that I could that I could best look even kind of naturally almost, right?
Yes, we talk about it somewhat frequently actually. Like, oh, we should probably cover some of the old older classics. Yeah, cuz there are still people today who pick up those games and and want to uh learn how to play them, right?
Every game. But the one that always comes to mind for me is uh Pathfinder and any game that's kind of trying to do what the Pathfinder adventure card game is doing because in that game whenever you level up and complete missions, you get like draw a random item out of the box or do this or do that.
Like Seall has something similar to that. They have an emnity thing. If you attack someone then they remember that other players remember that in in the game's mechanics and then that comes back to haunt you later or whatever.
The whole idea of under Mountain is like it's constantly shifting and like it's the surroundings are changing. So every time you go down, things will be a little different anyway. So it' be really cool to make like a legacy style dungeon exploring thing around the end of that naturally.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 2CKSuG5D7JI Getting Games Review at 41:29 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 92160 · mention_pk 247484

Click to watch at 41:29 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

visual clues and guessing
picture-based word association (Code Names variant)
team-based word-guessing party game

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

balance is really important and having other interests is really important
she's my best friend she's my favorite person and best friend
thanks everyone I really appreciate it

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video OWjI5IeR3j0 Watch It Played Discussion at 44:16

video_pk 92168 · mention_pk 247525

Click to watch at 44:16 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I think we did it. We've started on time. That never happens.
The words are on both sides. No, but for them, they're going to be seeing this side.
This was not a sponsored segment. They didn't ask me to like feature this on their content.
I think that's why I go half elf cuz I I do like role playing.
Well, technically you could do this. Um, we just don't feel it creates an optimal playing experience.
They're not going to make money off of all the board gamers who are suddenly going to jump to League of Legends because of this board game.
My brain like blew out the back of my head.
It's not a fake word. It might not be a common word to some of our listeners.
The puns definitely got worse.
I'm still above Daredevil. But again, I just in general just so impressed with how they're bringing those characters to life.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video PRYjO8BgBv8 Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Analysis at 0:50

video_pk 92124 · mention_pk 247411

Click to watch at 0:50 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Target being a friendly local game store? Why the mere thought is preposterous. Sacrilege, or is it?
no a catalog of modern board games alone doesn't qualify Target as a friendly local game store. There's more to a game store than just games.
Is the friendly local game store of the future going to change from being an independent Mom and Pop Shop to a big box retail chain? Could stores like Target and Barnes & Noble even ever technically qualify as a friendly local game store?

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video PRYjO8BgBv8 Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Analysis at 2:34

video_pk 92124 · mention_pk 247419

Click to watch at 2:34 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Target being a friendly local game store? Why the mere thought is preposterous. Sacrilege, or is it?
no a catalog of modern board games alone doesn't qualify Target as a friendly local game store. There's more to a game store than just games.
Is the friendly local game store of the future going to change from being an independent Mom and Pop Shop to a big box retail chain? Could stores like Target and Barnes & Noble even ever technically qualify as a friendly local game store?

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video TJrnLVJrpc8 Watch It Played Analysis at 14:50 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92098 · mention_pk 247291

Click to watch at 14:50 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Winner of Family Game of the Year in the Golden Geek Awards.
Engaging and accessible party game.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Word association

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

team play — Two teams compete to identify their agents.
Word Game — Players give one-word clues to help their team guess associated pictures.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's not that I wouldn't play more stuff you know if something's really cool and interesting sure why not but my laptop on camera by the way the uh uh probably that blocks it a little bit it's a little bit but it's fine it's fine you guys don't mind
if if she ever ends up over this way on the East Coast love to have her on for sure
I just don't I would say right now I don't have anything like planned specifically
I've been a little self-conscious about the space that I shoot in and having guests
Oh yes because I feel like the the illusion would be shattered for them
well Landon um thanks for the question I I guess I started initially just because I I I enjoyed watching other people who created YouTube videos especially around board games and I wanted to do something like that but I wanted to do something different than what was being done already
and this is again as I've said famously before this was before tabletop so everyone thinks a tabletop right but this was before that even existed
I have not played I didn't know you had the copy but I oh no I did I remember seeing it but I have not either
I do have a publisher at one point want to come actually to they were going to fly down to the watching PL Studios to actually teach us a game so that we could feature it on the channel
I felt like that wasn't going to be good because yeah you could teach it to me but unless you're willing to fly to everyone who buys a copy of this game I'm having a I have a really weird unfair advantage
My Hope Is that with the videos it is yeah it's a compliment to the rule book so that you can watch this and go I wasn't getting it the rule book I see it now I get it
Pete good friend Pete good friend of the show as well I self serving question self-serving I'm sure that seon's curious though about that too
I I think on the strength of blood rage which was a real hit for them knowing this is coming from the same designer and seon is kind of pushing it and promoting it as a spiritual successor to blood rage I think it has the potential for sure
well I recently updated my inventory and I believe on B you can H to your collection right
you know what I mean like if kep takes on more of the editing stuff and and I can continue to do some of the shooting but also doing his own shooting as well
well you answer I've been talking a lot oh no I do answer but I'll let you go
normally I try to run a fairly serious game and I said you know what let's try to be a little more silly and not be quite as serious it ended up being very serious as the game went on anyway
This is where my favorite experience was okay so normally they were going through things one at a time they went through two different of the scenarios one at a time yeah and then they said okay what we need to do now is we need to scout ahead
so the two of them pop into this location one of them's literally blind the other one like suddenly lost half of their powers and they have no way to contact the rest of the party great Scouts
we did it over Skype and I had a marvelous time I had such a good time it was really fun it made me go oh this is role playing so great
I actually contracted somebody to create an art print of that game that we played together featuring us as our characters in like this sort of action set piece
well listen if you had any questions about anything you saw there feel free to put them in the comments below and I'll gladly answer them as soon as I get a chance
yeah we really are going to get very polished with these things as they go on I someday someday we can make jokes about you know how rough some things are
I find that with Cooperative games you you tend to get at least one or two players kind of as the game dies down just have less interest or or less invested in it
This is what they call I think roll and right games
if you're looking to start and you don't know exactly who all your players are going to be you're going to invite people over for the first time my biggest tip is to is to pick games that are going to be light friendly kind of games
The quickest thing to kill the group is to have everyone show up drop Scythe on the table or Twilight Imperium or Twilight Imperium or something like that and then everyone's like I think video games are much more peeling
I I do wake up feeling like I have a knife in my back almost every day even when we're not playing games
I have a very difficult time playing Dark playing Sinister because I I do kind of like I I I want to be the hero of the story
and so I try to I someone damel in distress I try to go save it someone needs the the rats cleared out their Cellar I'll go do it you know like I just it feels like that's who I want to be ultimately in the game and I suppose ultimately in life
I don't think it's an acceptable risk you know and so I I I don't play either good or evil
well listen guys uh thanks again for joining us for another live show this has been a lot of fun it's been crazy
I'd love to do a convention here at some point like a small convention
beaches um just the scenery is just lovely
so the box of Neapolitan ice cream had specifically like a column of of chocolate um vanilla and strawberry and Christ's like what do you want and you were like I I like give me the strawberry and I'm like I like the chocolate
well yeah yeah no that happened there's more to this exciting thrilling story yeah there was just time on the live show telling a story about scooping ice cream I'm so sorry everybody
you know I I I see for the foreseeable future anyway like I think as long as Luke's in school um then we'll definitely stay here
oh I I I see these games I get excited about them and then I go okay what do I have to work on this week
I was actually hoping you would say it

References (from this video)

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Video No_zh1ZQrVg Getting Games Top 20 List at 1:02:13 sentiment: positive

video_pk 92022 · mention_pk 247084

Click to watch at 1:02:13 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

cooperative two-player twist on a party game

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Code Names

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative clue-giving — two players give clues to guess cards in the middle; duel format

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

this game is amazing
it completely blew me away
Gaia Project... I enjoyed it more than Terra Mystica
Masters Trials did a good job of combating the number one issue of cooperative games
it's a really good card game version of a previous game

References (from this video)

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Video iPXGnfBuN5I Watch It Played Discussion at 3:44 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 91996 · mention_pk 246970

Click to watch at 3:44 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

none

Cons

we didn't quite win
there's one little rule that there's one yellow one little kind of catching in the rules of that in quite understand

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

we had a perfect tie in our game of Dominion
we played codenames duet which is a flaky operative game honey
it's going to be a learning game that's the real learning game

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 6WLB5sBM5TY Meeple University Top 10 List at 9:09 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91795 · mention_pk 246428

Click to watch at 9:09 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Specifically for two players
Cooperative
Simple gameplay

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Giving clues to guess cards

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative play — Work together to collect points and try to guess in the correct way.
word association — Trying to give each other's clues so that the other person can then pick the right cards.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I have won it Stella from me put University this is my third episode of my tabletop diary
In the spirit of Christmas because it is coming I'm going to talk about 10 board game that you can probably give or try to get your partner boyfriend girlfriend or your friend to try to get into port gaming
So have you been dreaming your partner playing board game with you let's check this out
If sheep are not really into ball game can you relate to this
So those 10 games we pick because we play that before it's good for 2 players they some of them are a co-op games which is really good for people who just a bit for doing board game and some of them have gotten good artwork and they all available to purchase
This is one of my top recommendations for playing with your partner
So welcome to it's a really good beginning games could be a party game as well
Hanabi is a classic game it's really good easy to play easy to learn like really quick
The foot team is and just adorable so that's what you got
This is one of the first game that I've ever played in the made up so and I really enjoy it and that's one of the games they got me into board game
It is a real-time cooperative game where people work together to place three players or more you are both you trying to go around a shopping mall you trying to do steal items and then try to exit in a timely manner
This is relatively new game and this is actually based on the book cheat you on the beta I used to read them a lot when I was younger or I still do sometimes
It's a co-op game and one my favorite favorite
This is essentially a set collection game so you are tea merchants trying to collect your ingredients and trying to fulfill orders for your customers
This is the prototype copy by the way so the final product will look different
It's a bit of a candy crush saga feel
Now at the start I say I'm gonna tell you one special gift that you can give to your partner loved ones or anyone Billy
This you can definitely do this you can contact certain companies to actually match boardgame on your orange sir parent gave me for my birthday
Customized every single card is actually customized
So this is some of the cards this is really really cute like every single one was customized
Can you imagine if you give your loved ones they might already be into board game they might not but even a simple game with let's say a playing card with customized background it's not that expensive to actually make
Customized sport game is basically the ultimate present for me
Thank you so much Terran for that
Please write in the comment sections below because I really really like to hear from you
Please consider subscribing to us because just a little help goes along the way to add subscribers to our channels

References (from this video)

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Video -MA_0d-Qlh8 Watch It Played Discussion at 1:28

video_pk 91741 · mention_pk 246250

Click to watch at 1:28 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Grid Play — allows you to play codenames pitchers in a 5x5 grid instead of the original four by five grid

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

everyone welcome to watch it played my name is Rodney Smith and in this video we're gonna take a look at some more promos from the BoardGameGeek store
you're supporting BoardGameGeek you're supporting us here it's a win-win and you get cool promos so it's really a it's it's a win win win
well this is a nifty penguin so there's not really an explanation required who wouldn't want a penguin
no one actually knows how to pronounce that game name
and I'm realizing now anyone who enjoys the way I say card in my videos probably quite enjoyed that explanation
but unfortunately the promo box is empty

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video iUA3ZI1galM Watch It Played Announcement at 4:21

video_pk 91707 · mention_pk 246097

Click to watch at 4:21 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

hi everyone welcome to watch it played
my name is Rodney Smith and in this video I have a special announcement
Stephanie has her own channel where she creates YouTube videos about board games using American sign language as the primary method of communication
I'm thrilled to collaborate in this way because I get to combine my passion for ASL and board games
my goal is to reach the deaf community in as many ways as possible to encourage them to join in on the fun by having equal access to gaming tutorials
watch it played has been such an excellent resource for me to learn how to play games it inspired me to create my own YouTube channel called dibson Blue
wouldn't it be amazing if I could interpret Rodney's videosos as well so deaf and heart of hearing individuals have just as much access to his videos as his hearing viewers
many people think captions are sufficient enough for all deaf and heart of hearing people while this may be true for many of them providing ASL interpretations gives ASL users the chance to understand content directly in their target language
ASL is vastly different than English having its own grammatical structure and use of facial expressions body language gestures among other things they're very different
if a deaf heart of hearing person prefers ASL as the way to communicate then providing access to ASL breaks through any communication barriers
please let us know what you think of this initiative in the comments below and if you know somebody who might benefit from these types of videos consider sharing this with them and maybe they'd like to subscribe and follow along

References (from this video)

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Video V3923Ily5K0 Meeple University Top 10 List at 8:33 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91650 · mention_pk 245965

Click to watch at 8:33 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Good cooperative game for travel
Can be played many times easily
Good for hotel rooms
Favorite go-to game

Cons

Slightly bigger footprint than an airplane game
Requires facing each other, not ideal for a plane seat

Thematic elements

Travel

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

cooperative play — Players work together to guess words based on clues.
Set Collection — Players try to identify sets of words.
word association — Players give one-word clues to help their partner guess target words.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

so when we're traveling with our cars around Australia we do have the luxury of bringing huge Ikea bags full of board games and no problem with that but what happens when we're limited to the things we can bring with us such as when we have to bring clothes and the airline tells us we can only have a single like the airline limit us to that it's very mean of them
I think the key things that are important when you're taking a a game traveling yeah portability is an obvious one for the reasons we just said y um and generally it's pretty rare that we have much table space a lot of games tend to be played on the bed y um or on a plane or on a plane so not a lot of space not very comfortable
so Ob actually include a few bits and pieces um and again you know this is if you got a tactile person and you like to play and touch rather than otherwise you would just play something on your phone
so here are the top 10 games in no particular order
I feel that would be lost for so yeah so that's tiny epic Galaxy
well this is um why we uh use or we we include mint Works um there's another one as well mint deliveries uh which is also quite well played but we used to this one this is the first one that came out yep and you like this game as well uh yes it's quick and simple and yeah it fits that fits that little um light holiday Niche very well that's Min Works
So that is um but it's not that very much the cards is
Play with the lowest score wins over the course of the game so it's very replayable the rules are very easy the strategy can get it's not the Super deepest strategy but it's got a nice level of depth to it for a quick two-player game.
This is actually one of taran's favorite game it's one of my favorite two player games.
It is one of the most popular two-player games out there.

References (from this video)

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Video YPslOLOCZ-0 Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Discussion at 9:14 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91665 · mention_pk 246020

Click to watch at 9:14 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Would be interesting to play with the Avengers due to their dysfunctional nature.
Could lead to humorous conflict.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Marvel Universe (implied)

Comparison games

Code Names Marvel

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

team play — Played in teams.
word association — Players give one-word clues to get their team to guess specific words.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

mine's pretty straightforward okay I want to sit down with Professor X and play the mind so I can finally win that game
Playing a social deduction game with a trickster would be hilarious
Jenga with the Hulk would be funny
Groot would be fantastic to play that with

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video SQkQVgZvqnI Watch It Played Promotion at 2:44 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91532 · mention_pk 245635

Click to watch at 2:44 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Includes 11 time tokens and easy mode blue tokens

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deduction — Described directly as a deduction game (Codenames Duet).
token_replacement — 11 time tokens to replace the game tokens plus two blue tokens for easy mode.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

this is the watch it played promo for Sakurada
this set could quite literally last a lifetime several lifetimes I would think it could be heirloom passed down through generations
none of the pieces you see in this video use stickers this is a heat transfer system that fuses the image to the plastic
the box is finally empty and you can find everything I showed you here
11 time tokens to replace the ones in the game and includes the two blue ones that are used for the easy mode
you dec build but you actually customized the cards themselves as you play
Relax play games
any purchase you make after that point will help the channel here

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video HYWKaZM4IcU Shelfside Review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 91422 · mention_pk 245340

Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

encourages creativity and word associations
endless replayability with many cards and setups
extremely accessible and easy to explain
flexible player counts and social dynamics
low cost and good value

Cons

significant downtime and waiting between turns
25 cards in the middle can be hard to track at the start
timer can push toward rushed, less thoughtful clues
heavy reliance on the clue-giver; can be stressful
some players feel the experience isn’t as funny or engaging as other party games

Thematic elements

Array
Modern espionage
none

Comparison games

Taboo
Monikers

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Action Timer — A timer (sand timer) constrains thinking time and can influence clue quality.
Decoder/assassin mechanic — A decoder card indicates which words belong to which team; there are neutral words and a deadly assassin word.
Double agent tile — A double agent tile can influence which team benefits on a turn.
Flexible player counts — The game accommodates a wide range of players and scales with the number of players.
One-word clue — Spymaster gives a single word clue plus a number indicating how many cards to guess.
team-based play — Two teams compete, each with a spymaster guiding their team to guess their words.
Timer control — A timer (sand timer) constrains thinking time and can influence clue quality.
Word Deciphering — Spymaster gives a single word clue plus a number indicating how many cards to guess.
Word grid deduction — Words are laid out on a 5x5 grid and players attempt to identify their team's words based on clues.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

endless replayability
the core gameplay really good
downtime is the worst kind of downtime
Code Names is extremely simple to explain
flexible player counts

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Cn_LOazQIL4 Watch It Played Discussion at 887:30:30

video_pk 91383 · mention_pk 245258

Click to watch at 887:30:30 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

every live show is just flop sweat and panic before it starts so many problems
I don't rate my games
ratings around games on BoardGameGeek is serious business
I don't really talk about my thoughts and opinions on games I try to avoid that for the most part
I think it's really helpful to be able to say it out loud to yourself and then actually build up the confidence to realize no I do not explain this from start to finish I know how do I know the beats of explaining this and I've now done a sort of a dress rehearsal bring the friends over and let's go
Blind playtesting please also don't don't worry about over-explaining over-explaining is better than under explaining
that's a good one
you are very generous you're very generous in kind
every live show is just flop sweat and panic before it starts
well we're here we're here and this is the first live show since January
the technological element of it is it's a little tenuous
the best way to send your question to me is in the comments to put all caps question and then your question
Google search watch it play guild BoardGameGeek it'll take you right there
it does this neat little job of summarizing your BoardGameGeek collection and telling you a little bit about what that collection looks like

References (from this video)

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Video 0_oCEO2eBzE Meeple University Discussion at 17:17 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91196 · mention_pk 244479

Click to watch at 17:17 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

It's a really nice design.
It's just a really good game.

Cons

It's not uniquely two-player in what makes it good.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I think the biggest thing for me is we play a lot of four player games four and five player that's sort of our the that's the best count for a lot of the games we play a lot of the heavier euro types of things mostly actually to four players I noticed yeah and where general we're kind of Care Bears when we play really we don't like the big area control sort of things all that much compared with resource building and we're not that take batty or vindictive about things and one of the well there are some exceptions but carry on and I think one of the bigger things in a three or four player game is that I don't like singling out someone to attack or singling out someone to block just for the sake of it and that's a key part of tactical gaming is blocking people out from things when you're playing with higher player counts it for me it's time to do it kind of like I know what you mean though it's like it's about a bit like King making as well especially if somebody is ahead and do you attack that person or do you attack the person that is I don't know that you think that always wins in the game or but is it based on the strategy or is it based on that particular game or you don't want to attack your partner because you're scared that you gonna get kicked out and sleep in the spare part anyway sorry carry on yes okay King making or the need to for the collective team to block each other equally is something that it's something I don't enjoy and I like when I like in a two-player game you strip all of the complexity of that away and a lot of the games that I find scale best to two players or that I like best as two players bring you down to a point where it's just as valuable to block somebody else as it is to forward your own game and that forms a critical part of the strategy so for me that's what I like in a two-player game particularly one that scales down is one where I've got a very clear way of responding to what my opponent is doing
I think one thing that I like it I like it when a game recognizes that even though it could technically mechanically scale down to two players when they realize that they don't do it very well and they just leave that off the play account all right I think raise an example is flotilla it's a three to five player game I don't I don't believe there's any mechanic reason why you couldn't play that with two players but because it's got the sink side sky sky nezam and you need to what one side is doing affects the other yes that asymmetry is critical to the game and so they just drop two players off you're right I always wonder I haven't thought about that further why doesn't has to be minimum of three players in flotilla is because of that balance that needs to be you know you know strike for the sink site in the side side thank you
I find treating it as a dual and responding more directly to mice I think it's two things firstly it's responding directly to my single opponents cards if I know they're getting a lot of attacks I'll go and get a lot of moats or whatever the defensive one is if they look like they going a fast game I've got to adjust my pace to that I find that a lot cleaner at two players and four players and the fact that the game almost always ends from the provinces being empty rather than the the decks being out I think that also to play it turns it into a race and I just find that works well for plays yes out of all the minions that you have well this this attacking one I hate I play this you get a curse god and although there's a other type as well that affects others I think I can I haven't played all of the minions played most of them I play more than your thing in Dominion there's a van cart and things like that that probably might change it a little bit but you're talking about the basic good just just any of the well the ones I've played certainly I've enjoyed it a to players and that's how we usually play it

References (from this video)

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Video 9HLA04_T8JI Brains On Games Review at 0:25 sentiment: positive

video_pk 91068 · mention_pk 244058

Click to watch at 0:25 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Engaging and accessible party game that scales with many players
Encourages creative thinking and concision in clue-giving
High replayability with simple setup and short playtime
Suitable for educational discussions about language and cognitive skills

Cons

Clue quality can be highly group-dependent; ambiguous clues may frustrate players
Some players may struggle with abstract connections, potentially slowing the game
Requires a shared language and a basic level of literacy to maximize enjoyment

Thematic elements

word association, rapid verbal deduction within team-based play
modern-day casual game night or classroom-friendly social setting; designed for gatherings with mixed ages
educationally framed overview with emphasis on cognitive abilities and practical application

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

One-word clue with a number — Clue-giver offers a single word and a number indicating how many board words relate to that clue.
team-based deduction — Two teams work to identify their own agents on the grid while avoiding opponents' agents and an assassin.
word association — Players give one-word clues that connect multiple target words on a shared grid; clues must be semantically linked to the related words.
Word Deciphering — Players give one-word clues that connect multiple target words on a shared grid; clues must be semantically linked to the related words.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

an award-winning game that requires abstract verbal reasoning skills and uses those abilities in a way that's very similar to how they're measured in psychologist learning assessments
the skill that we're talking about here is abstract verbal reasoning
abstract verbal reasoning is a very important skill when we're testing kids for learning problems
you're giving clues that will allow your team to determine which words are going to be associated with the blue or the red agents
one-word clue

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ttqY2ZIfX-A Watch It Played Discussion at 44:30

video_pk 91107 · mention_pk 244233

Click to watch at 44:30 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

i don't believe in the concept of must-have game oh this is a game you must have there's no game you must have there's no game that everyone enjoys
you know what i i have to say i think the mountie from dead of winter is my favorite promo
i don't want to say no very very well could be
if you enjoyed seeing me at this convention that we're now meeting in person and we're shaking hands if you enjoy seeing the things online that you do understand you made it happen like you've literally made it happen because none of this works uh without some kind of financial support at the end
I always say that and then I don't actually keep to it.
You know what uh oh gosh hold on one more second oh I'm gonna get something else really the stream should be over this chat is we're closing it down in just a couple of minutes this is the last time I'm getting up it really is I promise you
I won't belabor the story here because you should buy this book.
I don't have a link in the description to it I'll try to think to put it there but this is a great tips and tricks guide
I really felt like the fifth edition is really quite quite cool.
I like what they've done with it so anyway.
I would love a a game based on the television show the prisoner
I highly recommend it to you go out and watch that that show it's so so good
I would love to do a rules tutorial for twilight struggle
it's it's a fantastic game it really is
I am not a number that is right that is a quote from the prisoner
I hope you stay safe wash your hands be careful keep distance from everyone
Let's just stay safe I just want all of you to stay safe
Stay safe out there I care about you all and I really appreciate the caring and thoughtful things that people have said to me as well

References (from this video)

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Video DPqxZ9On7nE The Mill Discussion at 5:23

video_pk 91005 · mention_pk 243821

Click to watch at 5:23 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

we are absolutely gonna see code names say on this year
it's going to be twenty-five dollars if he ends up making it
the juggernaut now has just flown away
digitized went ahead and made an announcement that it will be in the app stores next week
Wingspan digital is going to be focused in the Steam Summer Games Festival 2020
Wingspan Oceania is probably a December release

References (from this video)

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Video 6W1z7J6uwIQ Meeple University Discussion at 39:32 sentiment: positive

video_pk 90974 · mention_pk 243670

Click to watch at 39:32 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

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 a race game to fulfill these different tasks
we've played Gaia Project a few times and that was really exciting
Isle of Skye and you know had hidden information
Planet Unknown ... implemented really well
I've played about 200 games of it
Paladins is heavier than Architects
Toy Story Obstacles and Adventures cooperative
Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle
Seven Wonders
carcassonne's also on bokeh marina
I've been playing Everdell on tabletopia
Code Names which is now recently available at Czech Games

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video WNPDIFIO7GM Meeple University Playthrough at 1:03:58

video_pk 90756 · mention_pk 242863

Click to watch at 1:03:58 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

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 a tower defense game first and foremost
our aim is to close two portals
it's ultimately a puzzle
there's not a lot of randomness
upgrade early upgrade often
cooperative game
the app is chaotic

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Ae7JUHzENyM The Mill Discussion at 2:51

video_pk 89975 · mention_pk 239882

Click to watch at 2:51 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

merry christmas happy holidays and happy new year

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video TUAhRclsLqc Watch It Played Discussion at 1:35 sentiment: positive

video_pk 89818 · mention_pk 239202

Click to watch at 1:35 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

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 a bloody travesty is what i call it

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Tr60wIckv7o Meeple University Review at 8:38 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 89663 · mention_pk 238507

Click to watch at 8:38 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

Excellent two-player cooperative game recommended for couples.
The mission maps add a good challenge by reducing clue or error allowances.
The cooperative nature with two clue-givers reduces pressure compared to the original game.
The game is enjoyable despite the hosts being bad at it.
The theme of linking words is fun and challenging.

Cons

The host admits to being bad at the game, with a record of 5 wins and 23 losses.
Player's lateral thinking and obscure pop culture references can lead to poor clues.
The game can be difficult to watch due to its thinking-intensive nature.
Achieving the required number of correct guesses within the turn limit is challenging.
The game can lead to frustration when players cannot find connections between words.
The sudden death mode can be very stressful.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Grid deduction — We've got the standard 5x5 grid of cards, and we will have one of these maps as we do in the normal game, but it will be vertical.
mission cards — We're going to be playing the Moscow mission, which is the one we're stuck on at the moment. The way the mission map works, it basically just reduces your number of clues or reduces your number of errors.
Word association clues — Standard code name style which is a single word and a single number.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We are in Bali. Hello Joy. Good morning, our friend Joy.
The show must our camera is sitting on a stack of plastic chairs.
It's kind of the one that we bring to holiday, like old times.
I don't reckon this version of Codenames gets the hype it deserves.
Our record, we look at the mission map, I know it is embarrassing, but five wins and 23 losses.
It doesn't matter how compatible two people are, they may not laterally think the same way. Indeed, and that is our problem.
It is such a thinking game, it's part of why we played it here.
We often talk about how bad we are with Codenames Duet. Now we're going to show how bad we are.
It's like the way me and Terence thinks, it's different.
I can't even see the bottom one there.
I don't know what the next one is, to be honest. It's going to be tough.
This is why this was always gonna be a tough game too.
The best clues come from personal knowledge.
Oh my gosh, I'm horrible at it.
Bell. It's like how do I, how do I link wood and bell?
This is a very, this is a very close effort though.
Well, maybe it's comic because it's a comic-ish thing.
Why don't ants get sick? Because they have little antibodies.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 6u24g5mCwKA All You Can Board Discussion sentiment: positive

video_pk 89615 · mention_pk 238316

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the best game in your collection is bears versus babies
we prioritize patrons
you gotta flip the box upside down or the other way around
top shelf villain
this is a really nice little hobby zone kind of thing

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 6u24g5mCwKA All You Can Board Discussion sentiment: positive

video_pk 89615 · mention_pk 264140

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

the best game in your collection is bears versus babies
we prioritize patrons
you gotta flip the box upside down or the other way around
top shelf villain
this is a really nice little hobby zone kind of thing

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 100uIPQylR0 kovray Review at 19:10 sentiment: positive

video_pk 89542 · mention_pk 238020

Click to watch at 19:10 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Elevates the original Codenames
Works very well with two players
Clean and crisp gameplay
Fun to be both clue-giver and guesser
Introduces a campaign mode

Cons

Slight differences from the base game

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

campaign mode — Also introduces a campaign mode so you can travel across the world where you have different amount of turns to win the game.
cooperative play — You and your opponent each have a card that has different face you and your partner not opponent you and your partner you're working together.
Deduction — Your partner tries to connect those words.
word association — You give one word clue that associates to multiple words.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's very asymmetrical the miniatures in this is stunning the art in this is stunning it's a very clever game
it's so clever it's so thematic
the games tend to be like super close down to the last play
i love that it's gonna be cross-compatible because it's just it's such a like it's a great experience to kind of elevate to four players
it is one of my favorite two-player games
the waze design is just extremely skillfully it's one of the most elegant and beautiful games in the two-player variety
i think the theme really shines out too because basically it's like technology versus nature industrialization yeah
i think one of the most underrated two-player games in my opinion

References (from this video)

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Video HfPsW-01nw4 Watch It Played Discussion at 7:14 sentiment: positive

video_pk 89161 · mention_pk 236518

Click to watch at 7:14 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Grown to really like
Easy to teach and learn
Quick playing
Fun party game

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deduction — You have this clover card and each side of the clover is going to have two words you're going to give one clue to match those four the words that are the edges of the clover so you're giving four one word clues for your opponents to for your not opponents for everyone else to guess the S eight different words in which orientation they go on to your grid.
Word Game — You have this clover card and each side of the clover is going to have two words you're going to give one clue to match those four the words that are the edges of the clover so you're giving four one word clues for your opponents to for your not opponents for everyone else to guess the S eight different words in which orientation they go on to your grid.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It's witch publisher makes the best board games huh
the pieces are so tactile and nice to touch
it's infinitely frustrating and wonderful to play
The actual movement is very simple
It's a game of revenge
It has everyone chanting all the time
there needs to be more holiday games
Munchkin was one of those games that really got me into the hobby
The Castles of Burgundy opened my world to all the games that I love

References (from this video)

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Video feBJF6QBW5k All You Can Board Top 50 List at 8:27 sentiment: positive

video_pk 89125 · mention_pk 236325

Click to watch at 8:27 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

great two-player adaptation of Code Names
cooperative and approachable for couples

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Code Names
Duet

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I'm basically riding on this Nostalgia
it's just one of those games that for as much as I like it... I'm always gonna rank it high
the wheel that you turn to give the clues

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video QIWXDqS1760 Meeple University Top 10 List at 15:56 sentiment: positive

video_pk 89028 · mention_pk 235823

Click to watch at 15:56 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

It's a great two-player adaptation of a party game.
It's easy to break out and play.
It's fun to think of clues together.
Highly recommended for two players.

Cons

The speakers are bad at it and think differently a lot.
The number of wins is really low for them.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Codenames

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Cooperative — rather than teams versus team is to each other.
two-player — it is really easy to break out and it's really fun to play.
word association — you give clue to each other.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it took the core from Dinosaur Island dinosaur world but made a much better game out of it
it's the only game out there that's taken the pandemic action point allowance style thing and cut it right back to two actions per turn
this is sort of the next layer up once you've worn through your copy of Seven Wonders duel
it really brought that you can't see your own cards mechanism to life
it isn't going to drag on because it ends when someone gets to 40 points I think it's just a perfectly little compact game like that
this is how I learn trick takings thanks to Taryn this is a Cooperative trick taking game
this is probably the heaviest game out of the top 10 terraforming masks and I think part of why it's here is it is the heaviest game we've played the most or the heavy game we've played the most often makes it the easiest to just pick up and play
you have to destroy the components so one use only
the way they managed to take one of the seminal large count party games and make it into an even better two-player couple game doesn't get enough credit in my mind

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video FVlxk7ASX6Q All You Can Board Discussion at 28:53

video_pk 89009 · mention_pk 235758

Click to watch at 28:53 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Okay let's introduce you to the third member of all you can board. This is Braden.
the big announcement is that aycb is uh getting an additional member they're now going to be three people that make up all you can board
we're not going full time for all you can board

References (from this video)

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Video 2ZPxUkGaaEI Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Discussion at 6:05 sentiment: positive

video_pk 88539 · mention_pk 233662

Click to watch at 6:05 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Engaging social gameplay
Strong party game dynamic

Cons

none

Thematic elements

word association and deduction
Party word game

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

team-based deduction — teams compete to deduce their words while avoiding the opponents’ words
word association — teams guess words based on one-word clues
Word Deciphering — teams compete to deduce their words while avoiding the opponents’ words

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Gen Con is back conventions are back
this is home away from home
I don't want to go home
one of the best parties I've ever been to
the line for that wrapped around it
it's not just about the games, it's the atmosphere and people

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 0wT4Ums8IMA Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 15:39 sentiment: positive

video_pk 87911 · mention_pk 230439

Click to watch at 15:39 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Great game to introduce to newcomers.
Code names duel and code names pictures were checked out.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

word association — You can't go wrong with Codenames

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

If I bring Cheetos to your game night I hate you
Cheetos and Doritos and other O's that have on your fingers not Al loud
don't try to do the Chopsticks and try to pick them up with chopsticks don't do that
Don't they all say that though don't they all say that
I'm the only female that she spoke with so the only woman you represent I'm representing for the women women at PC's
We just don't want to see people sitting over at a table struggling talking to F
No one's not going to be alone here
You can learn new games you can try stuff before you buy stuff
what makes a theme sing for you and what makes a theme kind of really feel like those Nails on the chalkboard for you

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Codenames

A new hit party game has arrived on the scene!

Codenames - How To Play

We Destroyed Each Other at Codenames Duet

Origins 2026 Game Haul - The Games I Came Back With

Images

Codenames

A new hit party game has arrived on the scene!

Codenames - How To Play

We Destroyed Each Other at Codenames Duet

Origins 2026 Game Haul - The Games I Came Back With

Images

Welcome Friend

Create a New Guild