Codenames: Critical Role Adventures
Turn Codenames into a cooperative fantasy campaign where a Game Master gives clues, heroes level up and missions change the rules.
Codenames: Critical Role Adventures is a fully cooperative reworking of Codenames set in Exandria. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil and Felix Podlesny, it replaces the original team’s competitive race with a Game Master-led adventure structure, branching missions and character progression.
The English edition launched in Q3 2026. CGE published the final rulebook before release and now also provides official one-shot missions for groups that do not want to commit to a full campaign.
How it changes Codenames
One player becomes the Game Master and gives clues. The rest of the group works together to identify the correct words while avoiding bystanders, enemies and the assassin.
The core clue logic remains recognizable, but each mission changes objectives and constraints, so success is about adapting familiar word-association skills to a scenario.
Three branching campaigns
The base game includes three campaign maps. Each campaign contains multiple branching missions rather than one fixed sequence.
Individual missions introduce their own goals and rule twists, creating a progression closer to a light adventure game than a normal standalone Codenames round.
Seven Critical Role heroes
The base game includes Vex with Trinket, Percy, Grog, Jester, Nott, Dorian and Fresh Cut Grass. Players choose three heroes for an adventure.
Characters gain experience, level up and unlock abilities between missions. Items add another layer of progression.
Game Master role
The GM is the clue-giver, but the role is not designed to remain permanently assigned to one person. CGE explicitly suggests passing the GM role between missions if the group wants.
This makes the campaign easier to share across a regular group and prevents one player from being locked out of the hero side.
One-shot missions
CGE launched an official web tool in September 2026 for standalone one-shot missions. It can randomize or select missions, choose a party and set difficulty.
That means the box now supports both campaign play and shorter single-session use.
How it differs from standard Codenames
The original Codenames is a competitive team word game with two spymasters. Critical Role Adventures keeps the clue-and-word foundation but changes the surrounding structure: one GM leads a cooperative party, mission rules vary, characters level up and campaigns branch.
That makes this a separate standalone game rather than a themed word-card pack for the original box.
Vox Machina Expansion Pack
CGE also sells a separate Vox Machina Expansion Pack for the base game. The publisher lists 42 additional themed words, two new items and Keyleth as an additional playable character. It requires Critical Role Adventures and is not a standalone Codenames product.
Components
CGE lists 200 double-sided word cards, 40 key cards, a GM screen, character miniatures, item cards, campaign maps, character sheets, tokens, a D20, campaign book and rulebook.
Who may like it?
It is a strong fit for Critical Role fans who want a lighter campaign game and for Codenames groups that enjoy cooperative clues more than direct competition.
It is less suitable if your main reason for playing Codenames is quick drop-in competition with no campaign overhead.
FAQ
Is it standalone?
Yes. You do not need another Codenames box.
Is it cooperative?
Yes, fully cooperative.
How long is a mission?
About 25 minutes.
Do you need to play the campaign?
No. CGE now supports one-shot missions.
Are final rules available?
Yes.
Sources and scope
Checked 7 October 2026 against CGE’s official game page, CGE’s press factsheet, final-rulebook announcement and September 2026 one-shot announcement. This page avoids reproducing campaign solutions or mission-specific spoilers. It is a researched overview, not a firsthand campaign review. Editorial policy and corrections.