Stumbled across this gem while looking for party games, and honestly? It's become our go-to when friends come over. Alias is all about explaining words without saying them directly - sounds simple until you're frantically gesturing at your teammate trying to get them to guess "elephant" without using the actual word. Released on 11.13.2024 by SM Games, this brain-bender has already gotten some solid updates (latest on 05.29.2025).
What hooked me immediately was how it turns everyone into amateur comedians. You'll find yourself making the weirdest connections and watching people's faces light up when they finally get it. It's one of those rare games that works whether you're eight or eighty.
The concept is beautifully straightforward - you get a word, and you need to help your team guess it using descriptions, associations, anything except the word itself. Think charades but with talking allowed. Perfect for breaking the ice at parties or just killing time during lunch breaks with colleagues.
Start with obvious connections, then get creative if they're not catching on. Sometimes the weirdest analogies work better than logical ones - learned that the hard way when "bicycle" became "two-wheeled happiness machine."
Runs on pretty much everything - iOS, Android, desktop. The portrait orientation on mobile is actually perfect since you're typically huddled around one device anyway. Desktop version works fine if you want a bigger screen for larger groups.
SM Games really nailed the balance here between simplicity and engagement. They've managed to capture that classic party game feel while making it accessible for digital play. The regular updates show they're committed to keeping the experience fresh.
If you enjoyed the word-association madness, definitely try Alias Word for a slightly different take on the formula. Word Game offers more traditional word puzzles, while Words with Prof. Wisely adds an educational twist that's surprisingly fun.
Whether you're hosting a party or just looking for something to do with friends, Alias delivers exactly what it promises - pure, simple fun that brings people together. No complicated rules, no lengthy tutorials, just good old-fashioned word play that'll have everyone cracking up.