I was barely awake when I saw a notification that Sam just reviewed Codenames. I seriously thought I could finally tell when I was having a lucid dream but then I realized it was real and it felt surreal :D Wonderful review, Sam. Appreciate how you could see the appeal of the game and who might enjoy it more than others :) Cheers!
I played a copy of Codenames where it was all movie posters. Tons of cards printed with iconic movie posters. It was a great version to play with movie buffs. :-) We added a few house rules for that one, but it was a real blast. This system can be used in a lot of different ways. :-)
After just watching the Top 10 Games Jokers Don't Appreciate yesterday than I saw this. In some ways, Sam is the perfect person to review this. People who already like Codenames will like this, but new people or those you didn't love the original will want to know if it can stand on its own.
Interesting the comment you made about the language barrier for non-native English speakers. This game could be used as a fun classroom learning tool, or, as a way of increasing the difficulty, use words of a language you are trying to learn. :)
I'm with Sam on this, I have played this with many friends and family non-gamers and they loved it. Several of them bought it to play with their families. But with gamers, there are dozens of other games we would rather be playing.
The lack of language-dependancy part is actualy the reason I bought this game for my nephew. Only needed to translate the rules. Hadn't given it to him yet, though...
I'm glad that I am not the only one who doesn't understand the popularity behind Codenames. I bought it without playing it based on the hype and was disappointed. Everyone else seems to love it though, so it's stayed in my collection. I don't think I'd want to try the others because my main problem is as the clue giver and trying to come up with something that covers several cards which, IMO, really slows the game down.
I have no issues with Sam reviewing this. Knowing his view on the first game I can gauge this review ... I wonder if Tom or Zee would have made this EXCELLENT?
Jeff Connell hahaha I stand corrected. Still think this is a good review. Sometimes a review from someone who doesn't like the style of game can be quite enlightening
I hate this idea of "gateway games" as if the boardgame hobby is some kind of ladder you have to climb to eventually reach the top where you can finally play the best/hard games. The nerves on this Sam guy who treats Codenames as a gateway game and "still doesn't understand why people like it"... Some people like party games and some like complex war games. Your taste isn't better than others and we don't all have to end up playing your games.
I think you misunderstand the term of "gateway games" they are not some barrier you have to cross or ladder you have to climb. they are there to get people unfamiliar with the hobby or someone uncomfortable with a lot of rules. If someone hasn't played anything but Monopoly and Solitaire i'm not going to drop them into a game like TI3 or something with a 30 page rule book and errata. No one is saying "gateway games" are bad. games can be easy and still be fun. games can be hard and be fun. they can take 15 minutes or 4 hours.
Nowhere is it implied that once you enter the hobby you have to reach some plateau at which you are now as good as everyone else...nowhere. "Gateway Games" simply imply an entrance, not a destination or a goal...just the beginning of a journey.
I still play Stone Age, Ticket to Ride etc. I think they are there because of lack of complex mechanisms and forgiving nature and length of the game (ie if you make one mistake you don't slowly lose and do nothing for the next hour).
Well, people above already explained the "gateway" topic. But really, I think there are better party games. Although, I must say that the way this game is designed is genious; does "a lot" with so little.
Most people associate board games with monopoly so they have to be introduced to the hobby. Gateway games are just games that are suitable for these types of players. I wouldn't introduce someone with Terra Mystica or the Gallerist. They have to build themselves up to these. I would introduce them with Splendor or Carcassonne. These are simple enough for a new player but complicated enough that it allows them to move past the bland stereotype that Risk, Monopoly, Candyland have all created.
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I was barely awake when I saw a notification that Sam just reviewed Codenames. I seriously thought I could finally tell when I was having a lucid dream but then I realized it was real and it felt surreal :D Wonderful review, Sam. Appreciate how you could see the appeal of the game and who might enjoy it more than others :) Cheers!
I played a copy of Codenames where it was all movie posters. Tons of cards printed with iconic movie posters. It was a great version to play with movie buffs. :-) We added a few house rules for that one, but it was a real blast. This system can be used in a lot of different ways. :-)
After just watching the Top 10 Games Jokers Don't Appreciate yesterday than I saw this. In some ways, Sam is the perfect person to review this. People who already like Codenames will like this, but new people or those you didn't love the original will want to know if it can stand on its own.
Interesting the comment you made about the language barrier for non-native English speakers. This game could be used as a fun classroom learning tool, or, as a way of increasing the difficulty, use words of a language you are trying to learn. :)
How would this game be if you played it with cards from something like Dixit?
It's doable, but colors are problematic. People will just say "blue" for example.
it works.
I'm with Sam on this, I have played this with many friends and family non-gamers and they loved it. Several of them bought it to play with their families.
But with gamers, there are dozens of other games we would rather be playing.
Its exciting to a casual who has never played other board games before. But to more experienced gamers, it can be a little too shallow.
I'm a gamer and I like wordplay and thinking creatively.
Wait, Sam and codenames? What a cruel punishment, Tom!
My wife and I love Codenames Duet.
Sam with something positive to say about code names? I'm gonna need to go lie down.
I think Sam lost a bet! Nice job man!
Regular Codenames was made in a lot of different language.
I like it as a game because I like words and I also like FUN ;-)
The lack of language-dependancy part is actualy the reason I bought this game for my nephew. Only needed to translate the rules.
Hadn't given it to him yet, though...
I'm glad that I am not the only one who doesn't understand the popularity behind Codenames. I bought it without playing it based on the hype and was disappointed. Everyone else seems to love it though, so it's stayed in my collection. I don't think I'd want to try the others because my main problem is as the clue giver and trying to come up with something that covers several cards which, IMO, really slows the game down.
I have no issues with Sam reviewing this. Knowing his view on the first game I can gauge this review ... I wonder if Tom or Zee would have made this EXCELLENT?
Madmakam Zee doesn't like Codenames either.
Jeff Connell hahaha I stand corrected. Still think this is a good review. Sometimes a review from someone who doesn't like the style of game can be quite enlightening
Codenames chtulu when?
Another important thing-there are fewer cards out on the table in this version, which shortens the game and reduces extra complexity.
it's seven wonders all over again
press your luck? Not push your luck?
Both are common phrases.
Thanks
How many girlfriends does your boy have?? Haha
I do have two older sons, you know. I said, "One of my boys' girlfriend."
I hate this idea of "gateway games" as if the boardgame hobby is some kind of ladder you have to climb to eventually reach the top where you can finally play the best/hard games.
The nerves on this Sam guy who treats Codenames as a gateway game and "still doesn't understand why people like it"...
Some people like party games and some like complex war games. Your taste isn't better than others and we don't all have to end up playing your games.
I think you misunderstand the term of "gateway games" they are not some barrier you have to cross or ladder you have to climb. they are there to get people unfamiliar with the hobby or someone uncomfortable with a lot of rules. If someone hasn't played anything but Monopoly and Solitaire i'm not going to drop them into a game like TI3 or something with a 30 page rule book and errata.
No one is saying "gateway games" are bad. games can be easy and still be fun. games can be hard and be fun. they can take 15 minutes or 4 hours.
Nowhere is it implied that once you enter the hobby you have to reach some plateau at which you are now as good as everyone else...nowhere. "Gateway Games" simply imply an entrance, not a destination or a goal...just the beginning of a journey.
I still play Stone Age, Ticket to Ride etc. I think they are there because of lack of complex mechanisms and forgiving nature and length of the game (ie if you make one mistake you don't slowly lose and do nothing for the next hour).
Well, people above already explained the "gateway" topic.
But really, I think there are better party games. Although, I must say that the way this game is designed is genious; does "a lot" with so little.
Most people associate board games with monopoly so they have to be introduced to the hobby. Gateway games are just games that are suitable for these types of players. I wouldn't introduce someone with Terra Mystica or the Gallerist. They have to build themselves up to these. I would introduce them with Splendor or Carcassonne. These are simple enough for a new player but complicated enough that it allows them to move past the bland stereotype that Risk, Monopoly, Candyland have all created.