Comparison

Codenames vs King Tactics

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Codenames

Engage in a strategic word game of deduction and teamwork. Give one-word clues to help your team guess associated words before the opposing team. Enjoy a blend of casual fun and deep thinking with turn-based multiplayer matches.

Highlights
  • Turn-based multiplayer
  • One-word clue system
  • Teamwork and deduction
  • Multiple game modes
  • Spymaster and Operative roles
  • Logic and creativity challenges
Read full description

Codenames is available in ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH, ARABIC, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, and CZECH. Codenames is a clever word game of deduction, teamwork, and strategy, inspired by the popular board game loved worldwide. Give one-word clues, link multiple words, and read your teammates’ minds to win before the other team does. Easy to learn, hard to master Codenames is simple to understand and instantly rewarding. Every match tests your logic, creativity, and intuition — a perfect blend of casual fun and deep thinking. Play at your own pace Turn-based matches let you play whenever you want, as much as you want. Start several games at once and return when it’s your turn — perfect for busy players. Smart fun for sharp minds If you enjoy games that make you think, this is for you. Every clue and guess matters — there’s no autoplay, no idle waiting, just pure wordplay and deduction. Why players love Codenames • Turn-based multiplayer — play with friends or online opponents. • Based on a beloved board game concept: give one-word clues, guess multiple words. • Exclusive twists and new game modes available exclusively in this version. • Choose your role — Spymaster or Operative — and master both perspectives. • One-time purchase unlocks a full experience — no freemium grind, no intrusive ads—just the pure enjoyment for the price of a cup of coffee for the dev team. Join millions of players and test how well you can get into the minds of others. Download Codenames today — the top multiplayer word game for clever thinkers.

About

King Tactics

Engage in tactical battles inspired by the Wars of the Roses. Command your troops, conquer territories, and outmaneuver opponents in this strategy game. Play solo, against AI, or challenge players worldwide.

Highlights
  • Tactical troop placement
  • Territory conquest
  • Single and multiplayer modes
  • Campaign mode
  • Online and offline multiplayer
  • High score list
Features
Read full description

The King is dead! The Houses of York and Lancaster both see themselves as legitimate heirs to the crown and fight bitterly for power. Join your troops in the historic battles of the Wars of the Roses and conquer England! Can you win the battle? Prove yourself as a clever commander and put your tactical skills to the test. Just like in the legendary “The Rose King” board game, you can develop a good strategy to defeat your opponent and stand your ground on any battlefield! Place your knights skillfully, send your troops out and conquer as many connected areas as possible. Obstruct your opponent, thwart their plans and break their ranks. Play against resourceful computer opponents, friends or challengers from all over the world in challenging duels! The game: • Strategy game for one or two players • Just a few rules – thrilling right up to the last move • Easy to get started: Become a battle-hardened knight quickly. • High score list: Battle your way to the top of the ranks. • A game based on the KOSMOS “The Rose King" board game by Dirk Henn Game modes: • Campaign: Master all the battles of the Wars of the Roses in historical order. • Free game: Play against the AI in three levels of difficulty. • Online multiplayer: Play online against friends or against other players from all over the world. • Offline multiplayer: Play with a friend on a device and experience a real board game feeling any time and anywhere. ***** Questions or suggestions for improvements: Mail to ios@usm.de We are looking forward to your feedback! For more information on news and updates: www.usmgames.com or visit us on www.facebook.com/UnitedSoftMedia and twitter.com/USM_News *****

Screenshots

Codenames4 screens
King Tactics3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: King Tactics at none against Codenames's 1. King Tactics also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Codenames's advantage is ratings volume (1.1K vs 7) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Codenames costs $2.99 and King Tactics $2.99 up front. Codenames sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. King Tactics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Codenames holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Codenames has 1.1K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 66% and 67% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codenames ships an update fortnightly, King Tactics every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Codenames versus King Tactics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodenamesKing Tactics
Price$2.99$2.99
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better4.4 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K — better7
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#13 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size221 MB264 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.United Soft Media Verlag GmbH

Customer experience

Codenames

All ratings1,129 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews442 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral14.5%
Negative19.2%

King Tactics

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Codenames

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Initial launch with only Czech language support
  • Occasional app crashes and server disconnections

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Codenames Duet mode
  • Implement AI/bot players for faster games
  • Allow custom word packs and themes
  • Add a 'speed mode' for faster gameplay
  • Improve the jury system to maintain game integrity

King Tactics

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Codenames

One-time1
  • Krycí jména: Duet$4.99
None

King Tactics

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Codenames free?
Codenames costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is King Tactics free?
King Tactics costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Codenames or King Tactics?
Codenames is rated higher. Codenames averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while King Tactics averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.
Do Codenames or King Tactics have ads?
Neither Codenames nor King Tactics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codenames or King Tactics?
Codenames ships an update fortnightly, and King Tactics every 3 weeks. Most recently, Codenames was updated on October 29, 2026 and King Tactics on October 26, 2026.

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