Yesterday, we played Codenames for Tabletop.
Codenames is something I’d like to see more of: a party game that breaks out of the typical (and at this point overused) “impress the judge” mechanic, while encouraging and facilitating genuine and meaningful communication among the players. Whether you’re new to the hobby, or have a bookshelf filled with epic strategy games, it’s a great addition to any gaming library.
Like Mysterium, it’s a game I had to play for all of one round before I decided it would be perfect for the show, and holy crap did we have fun playing it.
I played with Michele Morrow, Ashley Esqueda, Travis Willingham, Jackie Kashian, and John Ross Bowie.
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I entirely agree. It’s both ideal as a quick filler game or you can play a sort of campaign with the leading roles (I forget what the players are called who describe the cards that the others need to guess) rotating through the group after each game.
Certainly in my top three, limited only by the mechanics that require 4 people for best experience. If there are more at the table, Go Fish Yourself is fun.
How did the dynamics of the table work? After 3 seasons of working with 4 people at the table, I would think that just the logistics became a challenge. Especially, if the picture is to be context, you had to have everyone on one side.
@Todd Officially the rules determine an arrangement where the players (or “spies”) sit on one side of the table and the two leaders or spymasters (or however they call them in english, i’ve only read the german version of the rules yet) together on the other side. While that seems hard to work around with the camera setup in former seasons (leaving the … let’s call it “fourth wall” side … open to see the game board and what the players do), it would make the place problem far less obvious. Also with Munchkin and Dragonage they had a similar setup with one gamemaster on one of the short sides and four player / characters on the other two sides respectively… does not look too out of the thinkable for CodeNames…
Just wanted to comment, that I’m really glad you have decided to break your own rules this season! I know you need to make things that we’ll enjoy watching – and you want to stick to them most of the time – but seeing you occasionally mess with the system makes me happy 🙂
MASSIVELY looking forward to the new season. And only 3 days to ITTD!!!!
(PS – anyone in NE England, we have a big community event coming up in the little town of Hartlepool. Free of charge, the local council are paying for it!!! – Search ‘Hartlepool International Table Top Day)
My favorite party or convention game to date is the Great Dalmuti – because it is so simple, fast and flexible that players can drop in and out at will without affecting game play significantly (if at all). Thus an ongoing game can last all night (and all day once) as folks join, leave and rejoin, take over hands, etc. IN fact, a steady stream of new players actually enlivens the game over time.
Having read a review by Shut up and Sit Down,* it sounds like the structure of Codenames also has this ability for flexible drop in and out ongoing participation. I cant wait to a) see this episode and b) pick up a copy to play at the next family gathering!
*http://www.shutupandsitdown.com/blog/post/review-codenames/
Code Names and Mysterium were both suggested to me because “you’re a Scorpio.” A Tabletop recommendation is much more reliable.
Oh my gosh… Travis Willingham! I love his work! And then Laura Bailey was there on day 2… Can’t wait to see the new season! Can’t wait to see who else comes on! So excited!
I only recently played this and loved it. Can’t wait for the show!
Seen this yet?
What the hell did I just watch?
Codenames is the best game I’ve found recently for introducing people who don’t play games to games. It’s easier to “get it” by watching than it is to explain, though I do both. It also inevitably turns into one of those “just one more round!” style games where you suddenly look at the clock and it’s after midnight and oh god I have work tomorrow.
About the only downside to the game is that if you try to play it as light filler before getting to a meatier game, there is a very good chance that meatier game will never hit the table, because people are having too much fun playing Codenames.
Yes, Codenames is very drop in and drop out friendly and can easily consume the time you could have been playing other games. On the plus side though, it’s unlikely that you’ll really regret playing Codenames instead. It rapidly became a favorite filler or end of the night activity at the local club, largely replacing Splendor or The Resistance. It’s endlessly replayable, even without opening half the cards (you wouldn’t believe how many copies I see with only one of the two packs opened) and if for some reason you got bored with the words provided, there are reports of people playing it using Dixit cards instead. I suppose you could also use Mysterium.
The only thing I have trouble with is believing it took an entire round for Wil to decide this belonged on the show. 🙂
Jackie Kashian!!!
Dear Wil,
Am I only one to notice you called Michele “Michelle”?
There you go, Will ! =D
Lov ya!
AUGHHH! I do it EVERY GODDAMN TIME! I know that she’s on team one L, and I still screw it up.
Travis Willingham! I hope he played as Grog mainly because Grog has a vast knowledge of shapes, colors, and shiny things. Also ale.