Czech Games Edition has revealed a new co-operative expansion for the party game Codenames, featuring characters from the Critical Role Dungeons & Dragons series. Set for release this summer at Gen Con, the expansion transforms the word-guessing game into a collaborative adventure in the world of Exandria. Players will guide Critical Role heroes through branching campaigns, earning experience points to level up.
Czech Games Edition, the publisher of the popular party game Codenames, announced on March 3, 2026, a crossover expansion with Critical Role, the acclaimed Dungeons & Dragons actual-play series. Titled Codenames: Critical Role Adventures, the expansion reimagines the core word-guessing mechanics in a fully co-operative format, similar to Codenames: Duet. One player serves as the Game Master, leading a team of players who select from seven iconic Critical Role characters: Vex (and her bear companion Trinket), Percy, Grog, Jester, Nott, Dorian, and Fresh Cut Grass.
Unlike the original head-to-head Codenames, where teams compete to identify secret words, this version emphasizes teamwork. Players place their chosen character on word cards to make guesses, exposing them to risks of failure but also allowing access to leveling-up abilities that unlock special powers. The expansion includes three separate campaigns, each with unique rule twists and themed word sets, set in the fantasy world of Exandria from Critical Role. A custom D20 die adds a Dungeons & Dragons flair to the gameplay.
Pre-orders open on March 10, 2026, for one month, with the core expansion and a companion Vox Machina expansion pack launching at Gen Con this summer. This marks Czech Games Edition's first licensed Codenames expansion since July 2025, when the Back to Hogwarts version faced significant backlash from board game enthusiasts. The publisher issued a public apology but proceeded with production, committing 100% of profits to charities supporting transgender individuals.
