Codenames

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Codenames is a single player and multiplayer casual puzzle game. It received very positive reviews from players.

Step into the thrilling world of secret agents with this word-association game!

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 453 reviews

monetization10 positive mentions

Excellent adaptation of the board game with a variety of engaging game modes and features that enhance the gameplay experience.
No ads or microtransactions, providing a seamless gaming experience with a one-time purchase model.
Asynchronous play allows for multiple games at once, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Frequent server issues and long wait times for players to take their turns can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Some players report glitches and crashes, particularly during login or when switching between games.
Progression can feel slow, and many features are gated behind player rank, which may limit access to certain game modes.

monetization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
19%
36%
The monetization model of the game is highly praised, with users appreciating the absence of ads and microtransactions. Players enjoy a one-time purchase that grants access to a variety of game modes and unlocks without any predatory practices, making for a fun and uninterrupted gaming experience. Overall, the game is lauded for its fair pricing and commitment to providing entertainment without the annoyance of additional costs.
- “Best of all, just pay once and no ads anywhere to be found.”
- “I also love the one-time purchase model that doesn't hammer you with ads or microtransactions.”
- “It's also really nice to see an app that doesn't have microtransactions and just monetizes up front.”
- “I wish this game had optional ads I could turn on to support the game.”
- “Fun game, no game rubbish or cash grabbing.”
- “It's so nice not to be bothered by ads or in-app purchases.”
gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The gameplay of the mobile adaptation of the board game has been praised for its engaging mechanics, smooth execution, and variety of game modes that keep the experience fresh. Users appreciate the incorporation of gamification elements and the overall graphics, although some have noted a slow pace and the absence of certain features like multiple operators. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a successful adaptation that enhances the original experience while providing new challenges.
- “I'm a huge fan of the board game, and while the mobile experience can't give you the same social experience, they've made excellent decisions around gameplay and engagement.”
- “Lots of game modes ensure gameplay variety over time, so the games always feel fresh.”
- “Incredible expansion on the core codenames gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly slow.”
- “However, it lacks important features like multiple operators and word highlighting, essential for gameplay.”
- “It leaves me wanting more immediate gameplay options, and I can't shake the feeling this could be an AI research tool.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The story aspect of the game is described as engaging and unexpectedly rich, with elements of storytelling woven into gameplay that enhances the overall experience. However, some users feel that the overarching narrative, particularly involving missions and roles, can be confusing and detracts from the gameplay. While the daily missions and multiplayer features add variety, there are concerns about their execution and the stability of the servers.
- “This is how you ought to do board game apps - it talks to you flawlessly as you learn, it has storytelling where you don't expect it to be, it adds gamification to the game itself and improves the content apart from the original, it looks neat, and its cost is more than reasonable.”
- “When I saw it was out, I got my Discord friends to join almost instantly. I like the rescuing games if someone ghosts or waits too long to make a turn, being a juror yourself to judge on words, and the VIP missions are chaos but I love it.”
- “The VIP missions also add fun twists to the game and you can play as a team against the computer.”
- “The whole concept of assassins, missions, opponents, and operatives does not make any sense and doesn't add anything to the game; it just slows it down.”
- “I was expecting to play like in the web app but turns out it's just a daily quest spam.”
- “Codenames can be cool, but servers are still unstable, and daily quests and the like are not yet available.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
Overall, the graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the cool visuals and artistic style, others find them excessive and distracting, detracting from the gameplay experience. Many users highlight the game's slick graphical touches and enjoyable interface, but a few express disappointment, feeling that the graphics do not align with the game's intended simplicity.
- “Super slick with lovely graphical touches.”
- “The app is a simplified version of the browser game with a nice graphical interface, online matchmaking, player progression, and daily challenges.”
- “A very good implementation of a fun game, with a great art style and easy to get into multiplayer games.”
- “Incredibly disappointing because this isn't a graphics-intensive game by any means.”
- “Lost the spirit of the game and way too many graphics and tricks that slow it down and make the app feel like work.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report significant performance issues on devices like the Pixel 7 Pro, others praise the improvements made to the game, particularly in private play and app performance. Initial server connection problems have been resolved, leading to smoother gameplay experiences for many.
- “It has completely optimized and improved the original game, simply by the nature of being a digital game - it's really opened up the possibilities for how to use the codenames system!”
- “And the app's performance and styling are on point.”
- “There were some server connection issues at the start but now everything runs smoothly.”
- “Even with the reduced animation and texture settings, the framerate and general performance is abysmal on my Pixel 7 Pro.”
- “Game seems optimized for private play because public play always stalls waiting for the opponent to play.”
- “Game seems optimized for private play because public play always stalls waiting for the opponent to play.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, citing the introduction of new modes and challenges that enhance the experience. The creativity in special power-ups and themed game modes adds to the enjoyment, making the game feel infinitely replayable without interruptions from ads.
- “I especially like the special power-ups and themed game modes and wish they were playable across the board too.”
- “Infinitely replayable and no ads. ”
- “The new game modes and challenges have been providing a lot of replay value; the creativity and love is clearly apparent.”
- “I especially like the special power-up and themed game modes and wish they were playable across the board too.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Overall, users report that while there are occasional glitches as the user base increases, the game is largely stable and considered bug-free by many players.
- “The game runs entirely bug-free, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or glitches, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; it runs seamlessly without any interruptions.”
- “There are still some occasional glitches as the user base grows, but overall, I play this game more than any other.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it frustrating to enjoy the experience.”
- “I've encountered numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, which really detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and enjoyment, complementing the overall experience alongside excellent UI and art. Players appreciate the variety of game modes and look forward to the engaging cutscene animations that enhance the gameplay.
- “There's a variety of fun game modes, the music is great, and I love all the cutscene animations. I always look forward to that notification telling me it's my move in a game.”