Decrypto (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Decrypto is a party game designed by Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance and published by Scorpion Masqué in in 2018. It falls under the deduction and word game categories, where players take on the roles of spies trying to decipher coded messages from their teammates while also trying to intercept their opponents’ messages.

Game Components of Decrypto

100 Code cards, each with a unique combination of four words

Keyword cards with words that remain secret to each team

Screens for each team to hold their Keyword cards

Note sheets for recording clues

Interception and Miscommunication tokens

How To Setup Decrypto

Players are divided into two teams, each team taking a screen and placing four Keyword cards into it. These words remain the same throughout the game. Each team also receives a stack of Code cards and a Note sheet.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Team Division: Players split into two teams.

Codegiver Role: Each round, one player from each team acts as the Encryptor or clue-giver.

Code Cards: The Encryptor draws a Code card with a numerical sequence (e.g., 3.2.1) corresponding to the order of their team’s keywords.

Clue Giving: The Encryptor gives three clues to help their team guess the correct sequence of keywords. Clues must be based on publicly available information.

Guessing: Both teams attempt to guess the sequence. The opposing team guesses first, and if they are correct, they gain an Interception token. If the active team fails to guess correctly, they gain a Miscommunication token.

Game Objective: The game ends when a team collects two Interception tokens (win) or two Miscommunication tokens (loss). If neither condition is met after 10 rounds, a tiebreaker ensues where teams try to guess the opponent’s keywords.

Player Experience

Decrypto is a game of cat and mouse, where teams must balance giving clear enough clues for their teammates while avoiding revealing too much information to the opposing team. The game is intense and absorbing, with each round providing more context and clues to decipher. Players must be creative and strategic in their clue-giving, often using misdirection to throw off the opposing team. The game’s design ensures that downtime is minimal, as every action by the opposing team becomes potential information.

Pros

High Replayability: With 100 Code cards, each game is unique.

Engaging Gameplay: The game is highly interactive, requiring strategy and creativity.

Simple yet Challenging: The mechanics are easy to learn but difficult to master.

Tense and Absorbing: Each round is filled with tension as teams try to intercept and decode clues.

Cons

Potential for Miscommunication: Giving clues that are too obscure can lead to Miscommunication tokens.

Learning Curve: While the mechanics are simple, the strategic depth can take time to fully appreciate.

Tiebreaker Complexity: Tiebreakers can be complex and less satisfying than a clear victory.

Personal Thoughts on Decrypto

Decrypto is ideal for those who enjoy word games, deduction, and strategic team play. It’s a great fit for game nights with friends or family who are looking for a challenging yet fun experience. The game requires a mix of creativity, attention to detail, and strategic thinking, making it appealing to both novice and veteran gamers. However, it may not be the best choice for very large groups or casual party settings due to its need for focused attention and strategic communication.

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