Hive Review

Intro

Hive is one of those rare games that makes you rethink what a board game can be. This two-player abstract strategy game ditches the traditional board entirely, using hexagonal tiles that create the playing field as you go. Each player controls an army of insects, each with their own movement patterns, in a battle to surround the opponent's queen bee.

Released in 2001, Hive has earned serious respect in the gaming community with a solid 7.32/10 rating and multiple awards including the 2006 Mensa Select. Games typically run about 20 minutes, making it perfect for quick strategic duels. The complexity sits comfortably in beginner-friendly territory while offering enough depth to keep experienced players coming back.

How It Plays

The beauty of Hive lies in its elegant simplicity. You start with nothing but a handful of hexagonal tiles and begin placing them one by one. The first piece goes down anywhere, and each subsequent piece must touch at least one other piece, gradually building a connected hive structure.

Each player has eleven pieces representing different insects: one queen bee, two spiders, two beetles, three grasshoppers, and three soldier ants. The queen bee moves one space in any direction. Soldier ants can slide around the outside of the hive as far as they want. Spiders move exactly three spaces around the perimeter. Grasshoppers jump over other pieces in straight lines. Beetles can climb on top of other pieces, essentially removing them from play temporarily.

Here's the crucial twist: you must place your queen bee within your first four turns, but after that, you can only move pieces that are already on the board. The goal is straightforward yet challenging—completely surround your opponent's queen with six pieces while preventing them from doing the same to yours.

Movement follows one key rule: the hive must always stay connected. You can't move a piece if doing so would break the hive into separate groups. This creates a fascinating puzzle where every move reshapes the battlefield and opens or closes strategic possibilities.

Highlights

The portability factor alone makes Hive special. No board means you can play literally anywhere—coffee shops, park benches, airplane tray tables. The pieces are thick, satisfying to handle, and store in a compact travel pouch. It's the ultimate "grab and go" strategy game.

Each insect's movement pattern creates interesting tactical opportunities. Beetles climbing over pieces to block key positions, grasshoppers leaping across crowded areas, ants sliding around to apply pressure from unexpected angles. The interplay between these different abilities generates surprising depth from such simple rules.

Games develop organically in ways that feel fresh every time. Unlike chess or checkers where the opening setup is identical, Hive's emergent board means the tactical landscape shifts constantly. Early placement decisions echo throughout the entire game, creating meaningful choices from the very first move.

The learning curve hits that sweet spot where new players can grasp the basics quickly but discovering optimal strategies takes considerable practice. You'll find yourself thinking several moves ahead, trying to anticipate how the hive's shape will evolve and where opportunities might emerge.

Criticisms

Some players find Hive's abstract nature a bit dry. If you prefer games with rich themes or narrative elements, moving insect tiles around might feel mechanical. The animal theme is purely cosmetic—this is pure abstract strategy dressed up with bug names.

The game can suffer from analysis paralysis, especially as players improve. While the rules are simple, calculating all possible moves and their consequences gets complex quickly. Games that should take 20 minutes can stretch much longer when both players start overthinking every placement and movement.

Limited replay variety might concern some players. Since you're working with the same set of pieces and rules every game, Hive lacks the variability found in games with cards, dice, or modular components. The depth comes from mastering the system rather than encountering new scenarios.

Conclusion

Hive will appeal most to players who enjoy pure strategy games like chess or Go but want something more portable and quicker to learn. If you appreciate elegant game design where simple rules create complex decisions, this belongs in your collection. The lack of luck means every victory feels earned through superior planning and tactical execution.

It's particularly great for couples or gaming partners who want a go-to two-player game that travels well. The 20-minute play time makes it perfect for lunch breaks or as a warm-up before longer gaming sessions. Just be prepared for games to become addictive—that "just one more game" factor is strong with this one.