Codenames: Back to Hogwarts Edition

New first-year students are invited to the halls of Hogwarts in this enchanted reimagining of the world-renowned Codenames series. Codenames: Back to Hogwarts brings the familiar word-association gameplay of the original into the Wizarding World, sorting players into two rival houses. Each house is led by a Prefect who holds the secret knowledge of a fabled mystery card grid. By providing a single word and a numerical clue, the Prefects guide their teams through the corridors of the school, attempting to locate their fellow students and magical items while avoiding the pitfalls of the castle grounds. This edition blends the classic mechanical core fans love with thematic new elements that transform the experience for wizards and muggles alike.

Exploring the castle requires both wit and caution, as students must correctly identify the cards associated with their Prefect's clues. A successful guess allows the team to continue their search, but encountering a rival house member, a locked door, or a dead end will immediately conclude the turn. The stakes are particularly high when navigating the shadows, as getting caught by the groundskeeper, Argus Filch, results in an instant defeat for your house and a victory for your rivals. To track progress beyond a single match, the game introduces the House Cup, allowing teams to accumulate points across multiple play sessions to determine which house truly reigns supreme at Hogwarts.

Strategic depth is significantly enhanced in this edition through the introduction of unique asymmetrical house abilities. Every house has access to two distinct and powerful special abilities, designed to meaningfully alter the fundamental rules of Codenames. Because only one of these two abilities is used in any given match, players can explore a wide multitude of combinations and tactical matchups. These magical powers provide surprising new gameplay possibilities, ensuring that even longtime veterans of the series will find fresh challenges within the grid. Gather your housemates, prepare your wand, and see if you have the mental fortitude to claim the House Cup for your colours.

• Thematic Wizarding World Experience: Fully immersive Harry Potter theme featuring iconic characters, spells, and locations from across the beloved film and book series.
• Asymmetrical House Abilities: Customise your strategy with unique magical powers that change how your house interacts with the mystery grid.
• House Cup Progression: Track your victories across multiple games with a persistent scoring system that adds a competitive campaign feel to your sessions.
• Tense Social Deduction: Navigate the grid carefully to find your allies while avoiding Argus Filch, whose appearance ends the game instantly.
• Classic Codenames Foundations: Built on the award-winning gameplay loop of giving and interpreting clues, making it easy to learn but difficult to master.