Designed by Thomas Dagenais-Lesperance, published by Iello Games and illustrated by NILS, Fabien Fulchiron and Manual Sanchez. This game can be played in teams of 2 to 4 players where each will compete to be the best codemaster!
Components:
2 Team Screens
110 Keyword Cards
48 Code Cards
4 Interception Tokens
4 Miscommunication Tokens
50 Note Sheets
1 Sand timer
Rulebook
To play, you first will split your group into two teams as evenly as possible. All members will sit together on one side of the table opposite the other team. Each team has a Scrren and draws 4 Keyword cards and places them in the appropriate spaces without showing them to the opposite team and then each team grabs a Code Deck and Note sheet.
You win if you collect 2 Interception Tokens-you get one each time you successfully intercept the opposing team’s code. Your team loses the game if you collect 2 Miscommunication tokens-you receive one each time you do not successfully decrypt your Encryptor’s code.
Each round the Encryptor will give 3 new clues, taking any form they want. They must refer to the meanings of the keywords and may not be private information between others. You must be clear and communicate it to both teams and you may not reuse clues. You cannot use the words themselves as clues.
Each round the chosen Encryptor will give a clue for their codes and then each team will try to guess both codes. The order of play is as follows:
1-Each Encryptor draws one Code card and reads it to themselves
2-Using the Note Sheet they then write down 3 clues on the 3 lines for the current round.
3-The White team reads their clues aloud and the Back team writes them on their sheet on the white side.
4-Both teams try to decipher the code and when a team thinks they have solved it they write the number they think matches the clue on the line.
5-Once both are written the Black team attempts to intercept and read their code to see if it matches.
6-The White team attempts to decipher the code and writes it down.
7-The White team Encryptor reveals the code card.
If the Black team was correct they Intercepted the code and receive an Interception token. No penalty for not matching.
If the White team was incorrect they misinterpreted the code and get a Miscommunication Token. No tokens for matching.
The roles switch for the teams to play through again, and then the round is over. Check to see if a team has won at that point or start a new round. A new round chooses a new Encryptor and a new Code card.
Impressions:
Decrypto is a solid party game and one of the best new additions to that genre I have played in a long time. I really enjoy the simplicity of a good party game mixed with the challenge of working as a team. Everyone playing this game felt a part of it and it definitely took some time and work to get everyone on board. There is a small learning curve in this game and for those who have not played it the game does feel like it starts slow. But watch out-this game ramps up quickly!
Decrypto is my new go-to party game for family, friends and everyone at my table. I can not recommend this one enough-if you get a chance to snag it and add it to your collection it is one not to miss!