Games, 1

Another working day game. I had the perfect game to bring in this time.

Codenames 2-8 players
I got this game for free since Red Castle was having a "buy 2, get 1 free" sale recently. It's a pretty basic party game, along the lines of Password.

Players are separated into two teams (red and blue). One player on each team is made the clue giver. A 5×5 array of random words is laid out and a random "answer" guide is in view of both the clue givers. The words in the array represent the code names of agents in the field. The guide shows the clue givers which words in the array represent the code names of their agents, the other team's names, bystander's names, and the assassin's name. On a team's turn, the clue giver gives their team one word and one number. The word is to tip off what names they need to pick and the the number is the amount of names that clue is suppose to match. After the clue is given, the team then points at names they think they were meant to pick. If they point correctly, the name is covered with the team color and can keep pointing. If it's a name from the opposite team or a bystander, the name is covered with the opposing color or a bystander card and the team's turn ends. If they point at the assassin, the game ends and the other team wins. If the assassin isn't picked, the first team to get all their agents discovered wins.

It was just four of us. I was on Sarah's team and Bryan and Carol were on the opposing team. We were able to fit in 3 games. In the first game, Bryan and I gave clues. Sarah and I weren't on the same page and she ended up picking the assassin midway. In the second game, Sarah gave me a very open clue which caused me to reveal 2 of the opposing team's agents. This gave them a good enough lead for an easy win. In the third game, Sarah and I were linked. My favorite clue was "Dubstep, 2" which got her to pick "drop" and "beat". I was able to catch Bryan in shenanigans with the clue "Shortest, 3". The word in the clue must be in reference to the meaning of the word, not the letters in the word or rhyming scheme. He was trying to get Carol to say all the 3 letter words. This ended their turn and gave us a free agent to cover. I got Sarah one word closer. Bryan had to get three words with one clue. Carol got two from the clue and a previous failed clue. She made a stab at "Iron" thinking it linked with the clue "Charge". This was the assassin. Sarah and I were happy with the win.
I get a kick out of this game. It's a bit of a thinker, so there is plenty of time were people are deep in thought. If you are looking for a drunken party game, this is not it. If you are in the mood for a wordy game of wits, this is the game for you.

Tally: 104/171  Bonus: 26/50