Decrypto
{{Short description|Spy-themed deduction board game}}
{{Orphan|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox game|name=Decrypto|image=|caption=|designer=Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance|illustrator={{unbulleted list|Fabien Fulchiron|Nicolas Rivet|Manuel Sanchez}}|publisher=Le Scorpion Masque|date={{Start date and age|2018}}|genre={{unbulleted list|Party games}}|players=3–8|playing_time=15–45 minutes|ages=12+|website=www.scorpionmasque.com/en/decrypto}}
Decrypto is a 2018 espionage-themed party game designed by Thomas Dagenais-Lespérance and published by Le Scorpion Masque in which two teams of players attempt to decode three-digit codes using clues about secret numbered words and determine the secret words of the opposing team.
Gameplay
Two teams of players each draw a set of four cards showing a selection of secret words, called "keywords", which are numbered from one to four. In each round, a member of each team assumes the role of Encryptor and attempts to help their team guess a three-digit number code without the opposing team intercepting the code by giving clues referring to their team's keywords with the corresponding numbers.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Owen |date=2018-08-14 |title=Board games: Ticket to Ride New York and Decrypto |url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/14/board-games-ticket-to-ride-new-york-and-decrypto |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=20 September 2019 |title=Decrypto Rules |url=https://www.scorpionmasque.com/sites/scorpionmasque.com/files/decrypto_en_rules_20sep2019.pdf |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=Le Scorpion Masque}}
Before the Encryptor's team can guess the code, the opposing team has a chance to do so following the first round. If the intercepting team succeeds in guessing the other team's code, they win an Interception Token. If a team manages to win two Interception Tokens, that team wins. Following this, the Encryptor's team can attempt to guess the code. If a team isn't able to guess the code given by their own Encryptor, they receive a Miscommunication Token. If a team manages to win two Miscommunication Tokens, that team loses. Otherwise, the game continues until one of these two win conditions is met.{{Cite web |last=Ashley |first=Clayton |date=25 April 2021 |title=Crack ridiculous codes with your friends in Decrypto |url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/4/25/22396252/overboard-decrypto-clue-game-alanah-pearce |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}
In the event of a tie, each team says the four words they think are the opposing team's keywords. The team with the most correct guesses is the winner.
= Expansions and editions =
The Decrypto Laser Drive expansion was released in 2019 and added a set of optional rules. In each round, a category card is called and at least one of the Encryptor's clues must match the given category. If all three clues match the category the Encryptor's team receives a Laser Token, which can be spent to guess the opposing team's keywords to receive an Interception Token.{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=Decrypto Laser Drive |url=https://www.scorpionmasque.com/sites/scorpionmasque.com/files/dec0ext_rules_en_web.pdf |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=Le Scorpion Masque}}
In 2023, the Decrypto: 5th Anniversary Edition was released, which featured updated cover art and a new set of secret words.{{Cite web |last=Meehan |first=Alex |date=2023-03-13 |title=Decrypto 5th Anniversary Edition adds new words to deduction board game |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/decrypto/news/decrypto-5th-anniversary-edition-announced |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}
Reception
In 2022, Polygon listed Decrypto as one of the "best party games," with contributor Charlie Theel writing that "Decrypto is a very unusual party game that promises dramatic highs and lows. It captures a light sense of espionage and the payoff is tremendous."{{Cite web |last=Theel |first=Charlie |date=2022-11-22 |title=The 5 best party board games |url=https://www.polygon.com/23471659/best-party-games-board-games-large-groups |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Owen Duffy, writing for The Guardian, called the game "an addictively brainy challenge, and a brilliant light and simple game for big groups" and praised it for its innovative gameplay in the espionage-themed board game genre.
Decrypto was nominated for Best Party Game in The Dice Tower
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{bgg|225694|Decrypto}}