- BGG rank
- BGG #807
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Magic Maze
- 1–8 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,987
- BGG rating
- 6.3
X-Code
2018
Rules assistance for X-Code
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–8 players
- 15 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for X-Code
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
X-Code is a board game released in 2018 for 2–8 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Kasper Lapp and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Cooperative Game.
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About the game
In X-Code, all players play simultaneously to cooperatively crack an encrypted code against time. The game board is constructed like a number field. The goal is to place a set of three equal cards on each square, including # and *. At the beginning, each player starts with three cards. As soon as the hourglass is turned over, gameplay becomes fast-paced: Players can draw or discard cards. In order to win the game, however, an exchange of cards with their neighbors is indispensable. The cards may not be passed on freely, however. Each card shows an arrow that indicates whether the right or left neighbor can be traded with and they must be ready to return a suitable card. Jokers allow you to replace missing cards. Once a player has a set of three equal cards in hand, they can place it on the appropriate space, either cracking part of the code or earning extra time. Storing time cards allows you to turn the hourglass over and earn valuable seconds. If the code can be cracked so that all fields are filled with the appropriate cards, the players have won together and can compete in another level.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- AMIGO
Questions and answers
X-Code supports 2–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for X-Code is 15 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists X-Code for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
X-Code has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
X-Code belongs to these categories: Card Game, Real-time, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Set Collection, and Cooperative Game. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of X-Code are: Kasper Lapp. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists X-Code as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.