Here we go, round two of our Level up Legends where we take a classic and suggest something of the same ilk but more challenging!
More Top, less Secret
Codenames, modern classic, know it?
Team based word association… does it need a theme? Not really, but we do love a narrative and this one works.
If you’re not in the know here’s the premise… two teams are trying to gather their spies, only the Spymasters on each side know which of the codenames on the table represent the people they need to pick. Turns are taken and the Spymasters alternate giving a one word clue and a number, the word relates in some way to some of the codenames and the number is how many of the words relate, get it right you’re closer to winning, get it wrong, it’s the next team’s turn. Contact all your agents first and you win. Just don’t assassinated!
In depth descriptions on how to play have been done before countless times so we’re not going to go into it any further, just trust us, it’s great. In fact… this is word association done really well so much so that… forget about a recommendation… just go play some more or one of the many variants out there… Pictures instead of words? Two player variant? Plenty of themed sets too or even a giant sized version.
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Still here?
Okay, we’ll mention a few games first that could have been the follow on… Decrypto stands out as a great alternative, as does Phantom Ink and Landmarks too but we’re not talking about these today (maybe we will later though!)
We are here to challenge you, that’s what Level-Up Legends is all about!
Chone ateema ree makacheesa
(IYKYK), sorry for being a nerd.
Aliens have contacted Humanity! But what are they saying? Use word association (Oh, hello!) to hint at the missing words but on top of that you need to break the Alien language cipher too. Get ready for intense deduction in this top notch quality game!
This is A Message from the Stars, a logic puzzling with a hint of word association. It can be played as a cooperative experience or team vs team where two aliens of the same species are communicating with two teams of scientists for the glory of true understanding between the species.
The alien(s) build a cipher by a series of rules, 3 letters of Trust, 2 letters that Amplify and a Suspicion letter. 6 different letters in total, these are spread out over common, uncommon and tough by a set of easy to see rules in front of everyone.
A message from the aliens and also to the aliens is selected randomly at the start and there are 3 blanks in the message that relate to 3 columns of 6 words. Each side rolls a die 3 times and keeps the results hidden. The aim is to figure out the 6 letters in the cipher and each side must also choose the three words randomly selected by the other side to get maximum points.
The aliens start by sending a word over that relates to their 3 missing words and with it a value. The value is created by adding +1 for each Trust letter in the word then multiplying that total by 2 for each Amplify letter in the word and then changing it to negative if there are one or more Suspicion letters in the word. The whole game could fail if an incorrect value is supplied so there is a QR code that you can use that has an app that does this for you.
Deductions are made from the information received and the scientists send a word back that assists the aliens with their message and they get a value back for this word too. After only 4 rounds of this you get the options for the other side’s message shown to you and need to make your choice and also name the 6 letters and their sections.
This is a great mental workout, trying to think of words that assist the knowledge of what letter is where and also helps choose the correct message answer is tricky but when you get it, it’s amazing.
So, there you have it, a word association game that mixes in logical deduction that can be played together or in opposing teams.
Do your best to show those aliens that there is intelligent life on Earth!