Codenames vs Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

And I found it really hard to keep track of which words were mine - I had to write them onto a piece of paper and make sure my words didn't relate too much to my opponent's, otherwise your partner might guess a word that is for the opposing team! Not even sure where that timer comes into play because we took forever in giving and guessing clues. I guess because words can be interpreted in so many different ways and there are so many different patterns, you can use this set for some time before it gets old. I kind of feel silly now because I thought this was a strategy board game - I sent one to somebody for Secret Santa … hopefully they liked it? I do agree that this game would be better suited for older teens and adults. Not sure if I can see younger children getting into it

**Dislikes:** Component altering legacy mechanics, reliance of scenario books/boards, a mountain of little wooden/plastic cubes, needing a GM, need for external apps, long linear campaign that requires the same group of players or only gets good after several sessions.

I think it's fantastic that someone who started their design career with something as niche as TtA has managed to produce one of the few true breakouts into mass market popularity from hobby boardgaming with Codenames. Such a simple, fun, and *teachable* design that can get almost any group enjoying themselves within a few minutes.

Personally, I am enjoying playing it to analyze the many things wrong with it. Shame, because it’s a beautiful game, otherwise. I imagine the cynical designer/s thought they were clever and had a good laugh at coming up with the relentless setbacks making it so impossible to achieve the goals and win the game. It is actually just lazy game design and a nose-thumb at the consumer

It's a game that simultaneously feels like it's not long enough -- like I want there to be more strategic depth -- but also too long for the amount that's actually present. Maybe I would like it more if I reduced the starting health to say, 40 or even 30. I've really only gotten a good response from one person that I've taught it to. Maybe it's just not for my group

Pros: - Good balance and much fun for two people - Replaying capabilities are huge, a lot of things depend on Holy Random - Nevertheless, Strategy is really important, can't win the game simply doing your chores, need to plan a lot. - You win like 1 in 5 times for each scenario Cons: - You win like 1 in 5 times for each scenario - Balance (in terms of food and resources) can be rather hard (if not broken) for more than two people - You always feel like you are about to win this set, but you lose in the last round.

Even though it says for 2 players - the play is greatly diminished in fun. It's more like one person plays and the other person sits there. LOL. booo

in order to win this game you need to come up with some ways to make it a little more manageable otherwise it will be the new "monopoly" where family members get upset and flip the board over

My friends and I play codenames online using a voice chat and have had a long standing disagreement about whether or not Googling should be allowed or not in codenames. Now, I have no issue with the occasional Google search in casual codenames. But my friends pretty much rely exclusively on Google to come up with their words and to decode them, and especially so during our server tournaments (where the hosts allow Googling).

Also, I am rarely on Reddit on a computer, so please send Messages rather than using Reddit's Chat feature (which will not show up on my phone). Thanks!

For about 6th graders and up, Code Names is a delight when you magically find commonality between disparate words, and your teammates successfully follow the logic of your single word. This game takes some mental acuity, I would not suggest it for fun while imbibing in, ahem, adult beverages Upon opening, the game arrived with a coating of dust on the contents of the box. After a bit of investigating, I found the enclosed sand timer had cheap plastic stoppers on each end, and not one but both had managed to fall off in shipping, spreading sand everywhere. It was a bit of a mess

My children 11, 7 and 6 love this game but would not be able to play it without an adult to help guide them along. For those who like team games this is a must.