Codenames vs Root
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Codenames
Codenames is a word-based party game where two teams compete to contact their agents first. Each round, a spymaster gives a one-word clue that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates must guess the correct words while avoiding the opposing team's agents and the assassin. Simple to learn but endlessly replayable.
Root
Root is an asymmetrical game where players take on different woodland factions with completely different play styles. The Marquise de Cat rules the forest, the Eyrie Dynasties seeks to reclaim their throne, the Woodland Alliance plots revolution, and the Vagabond plays both sides. Each faction has its own victory condition and unique mechanics.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Codenames | Root |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 145 | 19 ✓ |
| Rating | 7.6 | 8.1 ✓ |
| Year Published | 2015 ✓ | 2018 |
| Price | 20 ✓ | 55 |
| Min Players | 2 | 2 |
| Max Players | 8 ✓ | 4 |
| Play Time (min) | 15 ✓ | 60 |
| Min Age | 10 | 10 |
| Complexity (1-5) | 1.29 | 3.68 ✓ |
Codenames wins in 4 categories, Root wins in 3 categories.