The best games with limited communication 🤐 2024

Looking for a game that isn't all about communicating 🤐? Then we have just the thing: The 30 best games with limited communication.

How can games restrict communication between players?

Games can restrict players from openly communicating with each other. These restrictions can be absolute, as they relate to specific information, or they can restrict specific types of communication, such as speaking, hearing, or seeing.

Examples of this mechanism include Hanabi (players are not allowed to talk), Codenames (players are only allowed to communicate using a word and a number), or the 2020 connoisseur game: The Crew (players can only communicate using a marker on a single card as well as by playing cards).

List of best games 2024 in which communication between players is limited 🤐

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 401 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Just One

    All details for the board game Just One and similar games

    Just One is a cooperative party game that combines elements of mystery and creativity. Players work together to guess as many words as possible, using unique clues provided by their teammates.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Just One
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Just One

    • YouTube Review for the game "Just One" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. Monikers

    All details for the board game Monikers and similar games

    Monikers is a lively and entertaining party game inspired by the classic public domain game Celebrities. It is designed for players who enjoy guessing games and offers a fun challenge through a series of rounds where the methods of clue-giving evolve and become more restrictive.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Monikers
    • 4 - 16 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 17+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Monikers

    • YouTube Review for the game "Monikers" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  3. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Codenames is a captivating and popular party game that involves clever wordplay and deduction. Two teams compete, each led by a spymaster who knows the secret identities of 25 agents, represented by cards bearing single-word codenames like "disease," "Germany," or even "carrot." The objective is for each team to be the first to correctly identify all their agents based on clues given by their spymaster, while avoiding the dangerous assassin.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de*
  4. So Clover!

    All details for the board game So Clover! and similar games

    So Clover! is a cooperative word-association game that challenges players to think creatively and work together. The essence of the game is to generate and guess keywords based on shared features, aiming to achieve the highest possible team score.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for So Clover!
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!19€ atAmazon.de*
  5. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

    All details for the board game The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and similar games

    The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game that embarks players on an underwater expedition to discover the lost continent of Mu. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, The Crew, this game combines the familiar mechanics of trick-taking with unique cooperative elements and a compelling thematic narrative.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!11€ atAmazon.de*
  6. Codenames: Duet

    All details for the board game Codenames: Duet and similar games

    Embark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Codenames: Duet
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Codenames: Duet

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Duet" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. Decrypto

    All details for the board game Decrypto and similar games

    Engage in the riveting team-based challenge of Decrypto, where players strive to correctly interpret coded messages from their teammates while unraveling the intercepted codes of the opposing team.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.

    More details for Decrypto
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Decrypto

    • YouTube Review for the game "Decrypto" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  8. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

    All details for the board game The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine and similar games

    The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative trick-taking game that takes players on an adventurous space journey, filled with challenges and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Codenames: Pictures

    All details for the board game Codenames: Pictures and similar games

    Uncover the mystery behind peculiar symbols on the map in Codenames: Pictures, where these enigmatic codes signify locations where spies connect with secret agents. In this clandestine world, two rival spymasters possess knowledge of the agents in each location, communicating coded messages to guide their field operatives to discreet meetings. Operatives must navigate these visual puzzles with utmost precision, as a decoding misstep might lead to an unfortunate encounter with an enemy agent – or worse, an encounter with the deadly assassin! The race is on for both teams to contact all their agents, but only one can emerge victorious.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    More details for Codenames: Pictures
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!20€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Codenames: Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

    All details for the board game Deception: Murder in Hong Kong and similar games

    Deception: Murder in Hong Kong offers a riveting game of deduction and deception designed for 4-12 players, providing an immersive experience in approximately 20 minutes.

    More details for Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Time's Up!

    All details for the board game Time's Up! and similar games

    Time's Up! is a lively and entertaining charades-based party game, ideal for playing in teams of two or more. It's particularly engaging when played with teams of two. The game revolves around guessing famous historical or fictional characters, with each player contributing to a communal deck of names used across three distinct rounds.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Time's Up!
    • 4 - 18 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. Pictures

    All details for the board game Pictures and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Pictures
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Cahoots

    All details for the board game Cahoots and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Cahoots
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!9€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Cahoots

    • YouTube Review for the game "Cahoots" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  14. The Mind

    All details for the board game The Mind and similar games

    The Mind is a unique card game that combines elements of cooperation, intuition, and silent communication. It is as much an experiment in group dynamics as it is a game.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 9.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Mind
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Phantom Ink

    All details for the board game Phantom Ink and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Phantom Ink
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Time's Up! Edición Azul

    All details for the board game Time's Up! Edición Azul and similar games
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. Similo

    All details for the board game Similo and similar games

    Similo is a cooperative deduction game where players work together to guess a secret character from a set of twelve displayed in the middle of the table. Each version of Similo - such as Fables, History, or Myths - comes with a deck of thirty beautifully illustrated cards by Naïade, featuring characters that share a common theme.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Similo
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. When I Dream

    All details for the board game When I Dream and similar games

    When I Dream is a whimsical and imaginative board game that delves into the world of dreams, blending elements of storytelling, deduction, and teamwork in a playful setting.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for When I Dream
    • 4 - 10 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for When I Dream

    • YouTube Review for the game "When I Dream" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  19. Belratti

    All details for the board game Belratti and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Belratti
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Time's Up! Academy

    All details for the board game Time's Up! Academy and similar games
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Spyfall

    All details for the board game Spyfall and similar games

    Spyfall immerses players in a unique party game experience where they step into the intriguing roles of spies, navigating through various scenarios to decipher their surroundings. In this engaging game, participants aim to uncover the spy in their midst while the spy endeavors to blend in and discern the secret location.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    More details for Spyfall
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Spyfall

    • YouTube Review for the game "Spyfall" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  22. Fiesta de los Muertos

    All details for the board game Fiesta de los Muertos and similar games
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Witness

    All details for the board game Witness and similar games
    • 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Witness

    • YouTube Review for the game "Witness" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  24. Mysterium

    All details for the board game Mysterium and similar games

    Mysterium is a cooperative mystery-solving game set in the 1920s, where players take on the roles of mediums trying to solve a murder at a Scottish mansion, guided by a ghost who communicates through visions.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 6.

    More details for Mysterium
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 42 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Time's Up! Family

    All details for the board game Time's Up! Family and similar games
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Hanabi

    All details for the board game Hanabi and similar games

    Hanabi, named after the Japanese word for "fireworks," invites players to collaboratively create the perfect fireworks display. In this cooperative game, the goal is to arrange cards on the table in the correct order to achieve a stunning pyrotechnic spectacle. However, there's a catch - players must hold their cards so that they are visible only to their teammates. To succeed, you'll need to provide hints to your fellow players about the numbers and colors of their cards, working together to avoid mistakes and complete the fireworks show before running out of cards.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for Hanabi
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Mysterium Park

    All details for the board game Mysterium Park and similar games

    Mysterium Park beckons with its mysterious aura, set against the backdrop of a 1950s US fairground with a dark twist. The disappearance of the park’s director has left behind a haunting presence, prompting a group of psychics to uncover the truth before the carnival disappears. This cooperative game engages players with visions provided by the ghost, requiring interpretation to eliminate suspects and locations, leading to the revelation of the director’s fate.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for Mysterium Park
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. The Game

    All details for the board game The Game and similar games

    The Game is a cooperative card game that challenges players to strategically discard all 98 cards onto four piles. It requires careful planning and teamwork, with a hint of luck, to achieve victory.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for The Game
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!8€ atAmazon.de*
  29. Time's Up! Kids

    All details for the board game Time's Up! Kids and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Time's Up! Kids
    • 2 - 12 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  30. Concept

    All details for the board game Concept and similar games

    In Concept, the challenge is to convey words using a network of icons. A pair of players, seated as neighbors, collaborate to select a word or phrase that others must deduce. Working in tandem, they strategically place markers on the available icons on the game board.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Concept
    • 4 - 12 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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