Codenames: Critical Role Adventures is a unique take on Codenames inspired by the Critical Role universe. It reimagines the classic mechanisms players know and love in a fresh, unexpected way, transforming this game into a whole new Codenames experience.

The game is fully cooperative, with one player taking up the mantle of a game master (GM) and giving clues to their party members, leading them through perilous missions toward the final boss. Together, they can journey through three separate campaigns, each consisting of multiple branching missions. Every mission features its own goals, and rules that tweak the standard Codenames gameplayrequiring the GM and their party to adapt and think differently to overcome the challenges at hand.

The party chooses three out of seven iconic Critical Role characters to embark on the adventure. The base game introduces Vex (and Trinket), Percy, Grog, Jester, Nott, Dorian, and Fresh Cut Grass. Players can mix and match these heroes before every new campaign, as different combinations result in distinct gameplay styles.

Playable heroes have their own cardboard miniatures to be placed on the words during guessing. Each hero also comes with personalized abilities that unlock as players collect XP from successful missions, and they can equip items that can be purchased along the way. To track XP, HP, character progression, and items, every character has their own character sheet. And yes, there is a D20 included in the box, as characters must pass their own unique skill checks that determine how well (if at all) their abilities are executed.

In addition to the base game, a Vox Machina expansion pack is being released together with the base game. The pack contains more words and items, as well as one playable character to add to your adventures in Exandria.