Hive

RRP: £20.99
Now £17.34(SAVE 17%)
RRP £20.99
Success! We will let you know when this product is available again.
Your email address has been unsubscribed!
Your email address has been unsubscribed!
Notify me when this product is available to purchase!
This email address is already subscribed to this product!
Nexy Day Delivery

You could earn

1734 Victory Points

with this purchase

Hive is a highly addictive strategic game for two players that is not restricted by a board and can be played anywhere on any flat surface. Hive is made up of twenty two pieces, eleven black and eleven white, resembling a variety of creatures each with a unique way of moving. With no setting up to do, the game begins when the first piece is placed down. As the subsequent pieces are …
Read More
Category Tag SKU ZEG-875150-4 Availability Out of stock
Share
Share this

Awards

Golden Pear
Value For Money

Rating

  • Artwork
  • Complexity
  • Replayability
  • Player Interaction
  • Component Quality

You Might Like

  • Fantastic two player game.
  • Pocket takes up very little space, perfect for travelling.
  • Surprisingly deep strategy.

Might Not Like

  • Hard to master
Find out more about our blog & how to become a member of the blogging team by clicking here

Related Products

Description

Hive is a highly addictive strategic game for two players that is not restricted by a board and can be played anywhere on any flat surface. Hive is made up of twenty two pieces, eleven black and eleven white, resembling a variety of creatures each with a unique way of moving. With no setting up to do, the game begins when the first piece is placed down. As the subsequent pieces are placed this forms a pattern that becomes the playing surface (the pieces themselves become the board). Unlike other such games, the pieces are never eliminated and not all have to be played. The object of the game is to totally surround your opponent's queen, while at the same time trying to block your opponent from doing likewise to your queen. The player to totally surround his opponent's queen wins the game. Ages 9+, 2 players, 20 minutes playing time

When Hive was first released the hexagonal tiles were wooden, with mounted stickers depicting the various insects. This has now been updated to black and white Bakelite tiles with brightly coloured bugs. The tiles look and feel fantastic and are far more durable than the old wooden tiles – my old wooden copy has taken quite a beating

Inside the Hive Box

Currently, there are three different versions knocking around and some expansions.  The regular game comes with 22 hexagonal tiles, 11 black and 11 white, each set of 11 depicting a Queen Bee, two Spiders, three Ants, two Beetles, and three Grasshoppers.

Hive has no board, the hexagonal tiles are laid next to each other forming the hive, tiles once placed can subsequently be moved, with each type of insect depicted on the tile having different moves.  The moves are surprisingly thematic, the Ants run around fast, the Spiders track around the edges, the Beetles can climb over things, the Grasshoppers jump, and the Queen hardly moves at all.

There is one hard rule, the hive can never be divided, so any move which would divide the hive into two or more parts is illegal. The objective is to completely surround the opponent’s Queen, this can be with pieces of either colour.  Sounds simple? Well yes it is; achieving that win can be anything but simple.

If you think Hive might be shallow, or have no strategy, think again. It’s surprisingly challenging, surprisingly deep, easy to learn, hard to master, has almost zero set up and take down time and plays in around 20 minutes on average, so it ticks many of my boxes.

Hive is one of the most portable games around, it has no dice, no cards, no board, it is just those 22 near indestructible tiles.  You can sling it in a bag, take it to the beach, play on a small table in a coffee shop.  The pocket version plays on the tray table of a plane and is perfect for anyone travelling light.

The Variants

Pocket – Has one inch hexagonal tiles rather than the regular 1.5 inch tiles. Comes with the Mosquito and Ladybug expansion, and a small drawstring bag.

Carbon – The same 1.5 inch tiles as the regular game, with black bugs on white tiles and white bugs on black tiles.  Comes with the Mosquito and Ladybug expansion, and a plastic travel bag.

The Expansions

Ladybug – Only needed for the base game, included in Pocket and Carbon.

Mosquito – Only needed for the base game, included in Pocket and Carbon.
Pillbug – Available for all three variants.

Other Resources

Hive – The Boardless Board Game: Tactics and Strategies. By Steve Dee.  It’s an enjoyable read and a good introduction to the game.

Final Thoughts

I am always on the look out for good two player games, and I travel a lot.  Hive fits with my life and is a fantastic two player game. Hive is near perfect for killing time at airports or on a ferry.  Pocket takes up very little space, it along with a custom drawstring bag, has become a much loved travel companion.

 

Editors note: This blog was originally published on 24/03/2017. Updated on June 30th, 2021 to improve the information available.

Zatu Score

Rating

  • Artwork
  • Complexity
  • Replayability
  • Player Interaction
  • Component Quality

You might like

  • Fantastic two player game.
  • Pocket takes up very little space, perfect for travelling.
  • Surprisingly deep strategy.

Might not like

  • Hard to master