There’s nothing quite like the moment in Decrypto when your teammate gives a clue that seems absolutely obvious—until you see the other team nodding along, furiously scribbling down notes. If you love word games, deduction, and a bit of friendly sabotage, Decrypto is an absolute gem.
Quick Game Overview
- Publisher: Le Scorpion Masqué
- Designer: Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance
- Players: 3-8
- Playtime: 15-45 minutes
- Genre: Word-based deduction game
At its core, Decrypto is all about giving and deciphering clues while trying to intercept those of your opponents. You’ll need creativity, teamwork, and a touch of paranoia to succeed. It feels like a blend of Codenames and Spyfall, but with its own unique twist.
How to Play Decrypto
Each team receives a screen displaying four secret words, numbered 1 to 4. These words stay the same for the entire game. Each round, one player from a team draws a code card, showing a three-digit sequence (e.g., 4-2-1). Their job? Give clues that help their teammates identify the correct order without making it too easy for the opposing team to catch on.
Here’s where it gets interesting—after a few rounds, the other team will have built up a list of your previous clues. If they can correctly guess your sequence before your teammates do, they’ll earn an interception token. Two of those, and it’s game over for your squad.
What’s in the Box?
For a game built around words and deduction, Decrypto is surprisingly tactile. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- Two player screens (one for each team) to hide your code words
- 48 secret words cards (each with four words)
- 110 code cards (with various number sequences)
- Sand timer (which you may or may not use—it’s more of a gentle nudge than a strict rule)
- Interception & miscommunication tokens (for tracking victories and mistakes)
The screens with hidden words are a brilliant design choice, adding an air of espionage while keeping everything well-organised.
Playing at Different Player Counts
- 4 Players (2v2): The most strategic version, as each player gets plenty of turns to give clues and intercept.
- 6+ Players: The game thrives in larger groups. More minds mean more varied clues, making interceptions trickier and the mind games even better.
- 3 Players: Doable, but not ideal. You’ll need to tweak the format slightly to keep the balance right.
The sweet spot? Somewhere between 4-6 players. Enough chaos to make it interesting but not so much that it drags on.
Expansions & Variants
While Decrypto doesn’t have a ton of expansions, Decrypto: Laser Drive introduces a category-based twist. Players must give clues that fit specific themes, adding an extra layer of challenge. It’s not a must-have, but if your group plays Decrypto regularly, it keeps things fresh.
For a different experience, some groups create house rules—like limiting word reuse or enforcing stricter time limits—to ramp up the difficulty.
Digital Versions & Online Play
You don’t always need the physical box to enjoy Decrypto. The game is available on Board Game Arena (BGA), making it easy to play with friends remotely. The interface is smooth, and the online adaptation preserves the essence of the game. If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, BGA is a great way to practise before bringing it to game night.
Similar Games You Might Like
If Decrypto hits the right notes for you, here are a few other word-based deduction games worth checking out:
- Codenames – Another team-based word game, but with a focus on giving one-word clues to uncover spies.
- Just One – A cooperative game where players provide unique clues to guess a word.
- Spyfall – A game of bluffing and deduction where players try to uncover the spy in their midst.
- Trapwords – Similar to Taboo, but with hidden restrictions that make giving clues even harder.
Each of these games captures a different aspect of wordplay and deduction, making them great alternatives for Decrypto fans.
Final Thoughts
Decrypto is one of those games that rewards repeated plays. The more you play, the more you start to second-guess every single clue—did your teammate mean that obvious word, or are they trying to throw the other team off? It’s a mind game wrapped in a party game, and honestly, it never gets old.
If you enjoy wordplay, deduction, and a bit of friendly rivalry, Decrypto absolutely deserves a spot on your game shelf.