Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 is a better choice for players seeking an immersive, cooperative campaign with a compelling storyline and evolving gameplay. Codenames is better suited for those who prefer a quick, social, and highly replayable word game that emphasizes deduction and teamwork.
| Attribute | Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 | Codenames |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperative vs. Competitive Gameplay | Cooperative | Competitive (Codenames), Cooperative (Codenames: Duet) |
| Legacy vs. Standalone Game | Legacy (can be played as standalone) | Standalone |
| Number of Players | 2-4 | 4-8+ (Codenames), 2 (Codenames: Duet) |
| Game Length | 45-60 minutes per session (20-40 hours total over 12-24 sessions) | 15-30 minutes |
| Complexity Level | Moderate | Low |
| Theme | Cold War espionage (1962) | Spy/Secret Agent |
| Replayability | Limited (campaign can only be played once with permanent changes, but branching paths and multiple endings offer some replayability. A prologue game can be played multiple times. There are also rules to allow the game to be replayed, with some restrictions.) | High |
| Social Interaction | Highly cooperative | Highly Social |
| Hidden Information | Includes hidden information, secret objectives, and hidden identities | Spymasters have hidden information |
| Deduction Elements | Players must deduce the correct cities for certain objectives | Relies heavily on deduction |
| Storyline/Campaign | Compelling narrative unfolds over 12 months (sessions) | None |
| Team-Based Play | Players form teams to complete objectives | Yes |
| Price | Not available | Not available |