Codenames Duet An overview of board games
Codenames Duet An overview of board games
You and your spy partner are on a secret mission. Both need to contact nine secret agents and share a special message, but it can only be delivered in code. To make matters worse, there are killers on your tail. So, stay hidden, be careful and above all, rock these synonyms.
- 400 all new words compatible with the original code names
- New collaborative play
- A way to record your progress
A brief overview of code name duets
Codenames Duet is a two player cooperative version of popular code names. With a series of one-word hints, you and your partner need to guess the selection of words they have on the card. But beware, you also have to avoid words. If you happen to come across one, it’s over.
An easy-to-learn game that the whole family can enjoy, the Codenames Duet can be as challenging as you want it to be, and the only real limitation is your own creativity.
Other versions
Unpacking duets of code names
For those who know the original code names, there won’t be many surprises in the box. Available with:
- More than 200 word cards
- 15 debit cards
- 1 killer card
- 100 key cards
- 1 plastic card holder
- 11 innocent tokens
- 1 policy
- 1 map mission
I wasn’t very impressed with the artwork of the box. The theme in code names isn’t too strong and it happens. The design is very simplistic and minimalist, but not necessarily in a good way. More gentle than exciting. However, it is not that far from the original.
Once they open, there’s not much to look at anymore. The cards make up the bulk of the game, which seemed to probably wear out a bit over time. Perhaps, however, this will help add to the idea that these are secret documents.
An addition to the game that was not in the original is the key card stand. This is one occasion where the producers might have been able to bring something small into the game, but they decided to make it just a small piece of clear plastic.
All in all, it’s not the most impressive game in terms of components, but that doesn’t detract from the game itself at all. And that’s probably one of the reasons it’s so affordable .
How to play a duet of code names
The goal of the Codenames Duet is to guess the words on your partner’s card and vice versa. You play as part of a spy duo on the same team, in which the words on the cards represent secret agents you are trying to make contact with. This is not a competitive game, you play together as part of a secret cooperative.
But be careful, some killers have been hired to try to stop you. These are words that your partner should not guess, otherwise you will lose the game. (I'm not sure if that means you were murdered. For the kids, let's say, let's say you were taken hostage ... and then ruthlessly tortured).
Time is not on your side either. Both you and your partner have only nine chances to guess the words on your partner’s card.
Setup
Sit with your partner on opposite sides of the table. Place the key card holder on top of each other. Take a random card with keys from the packaging and place it in a rack, making sure you see only one side and your partner only the other. This is very important!
Then distribute 25 inverted 5 × 5 word cards on the table and place nine timer chips on the table. They measure your turns as you have so many before you lose the game. After one turn, remove one from the game.
Key card
On each side of the key card is a visual representation of the word cards arranged on the table. Nine of them are marked in green. These are the words your partner has to guess. There are also three shades of black. These are murderers! If your partner guesses this, the game is ready.
Your partner will also see a chart diagram on their side, but different words will be highlighted (although some will be the same).
Every word that is not emphasized at all is an “innocent observer”. If you guess one of these words, then it’s just a misconception.
The goal
To win, you and your partner had to guess all 15 green highlighted words together before you ran out of turns.
Giving hints and guesses
You can give your partner one hint at each step. The tip contains one word that describes one or more green words on the table and a number that indicates how many cards this key is important to.
Then your partner guesses by touching the word card on the table. If they have successfully chosen the green word, nice work! You cover it with a green agent card and you can guess again. You can guess indefinitely correctly. If they don't want to guess again, they take a token with a timer and place it in front of them.
If they choose the black word, you chose the killer and lost immediately.
If they choose one who is neither green nor black, they have chosen an innocent observer. In this case, cover the card with one of the chips with a timer, with an arrow pointing towards your partner (remember, this is still the word they have on their key card). It's their turn to end.
Once your partner has tried, it’s their turn to hint, and it’s your guess.
He wins the game
If your partner has guessed all nine words on your key card, then they stop guessing. Then your partner will be the only one to give advice on the remaining turns. If you manage to guess all their nine words, then you will win!
Your first Duet game with code names
Codenames Duet is a great game for the family, but it can be quite difficult. There is so much room for one-word hints before you run out of time. If you’re playing with some of the younger ones like that, include two extra Timer chips in the box to make things a little easier. They are different colors than the usual blue so you won’t accidentally play with them as part of a normal game.
Also, as with all word games (from Scattergories to Scrabble ), there are certainly different interpretations of what is and what is not a valid hint. conveniently, the Czech edition of the games contains a comprehensive guide to the rules. I highly recommend that everyone who plays be aware of them, as there is nothing worse than someone giving an invalid hint and undermining the game.
For example, you can't say a word that is part of a word on a word card, such as using "Rain" as a hint for "Rainbow." Also, you can’t mention this includes a word on the table, such as using an earthquake as a hint for naming the Earth.
As far as playing is concerned, you will have a huge advantage if you remember the previous hints that were given instead of taking each hint one by one. Often, when you are torn between two words as a possible option, they can help you narrow down the issue and avoid misguiding. As a hint giver, it’s also helpful in a more strategic approach to hints if you know your partner is thinking about the bigger picture.
Advantages disadvantages
Advantages:
- Great for the family
- Riddle
- Cooperative
- Great for two players
Weaknesses:
- A little more complicated with more than two players
Codenames Duet is one of those great games that is incredibly easy to learn, so it’s perfect for family play , but it also offers a chance to really test your mind. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to develop a hint that connects five or six cards (the other thing is whether your partner can guess them or not, ...). However, not everyone will be able to do this and this is not a problem.
I also really like the Codenames Duet, although even though you may only say one word per hint, it is still very collaborative. If you’re playing with someone you know well, you can really get some hints based on past shared experiences. But similarly, when I played with a group of people I hadn’t met before, it was a great test of empathy.
One of the best things about this game is that it is designed for two players. It’s often hard to find a really enjoyable two-player game that doesn’t lose its novelty after a few rounds, but doesn’t deal with it in the slightest.
It can also be played in a group, making this game even more versatile. This way the game is a bit more complicated as you have to avoid giving the other team any extra advice on the words. The discussion will have to take place in another room or in writing - not so convenient.
Perhaps another drawback is that when you’ve played a lot (and probably because it’s so much fun), the cards get paired and the tips can sometimes be recycled. This is not common, but it may be appropriate to release the expansion pack in the future. When it comes to weaknesses, however, enjoying it by playing it over and over again is not the worst of them all.
TL; DR
Codenames Duet should be one of the best games for two players. I love solving puzzles and using lateral thinking to come up with an answer, and this game has that in its dots.
A cooperative word game with two players that all family members will be able to enjoy.
Conclusion: a verdict?
Codenames Duet is not just a game for puzzle solvers or logophiles (someone who loves words). It works fantastically as a game for all ages, making it as impressive as the concept. The words are very simple - all that matters is how you decide to get there.
Similarly, I really enjoyed the player’s interaction and participation in the game. Collaborating and putting on your partner’s skin makes this a completely different experience than other two-player games that are mostly competitive.
If I had to describe the Codenames duo to you in one word, I think I would go with: great.
- 400 all new words compatible with the original code names
- New collaborative play
- A way to record your progress
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