Hive

I learned to play chess when I was a kid but never liked it much because it takes a long time (for most people). Hive asks for the same type of strategic thinking where different units move in different ways, but a game is done in 10-15 minutes.

A fun twist on the standard dominoes-esque style games.

I looked forward to receiving Hive for Christmas. The game didn't disappoint. The game tiles were high quality and aesthetically beautiful. The material was strong, and I have no doubts about their longevity. The same goes for the bag. All pieces came in a box that was designed to fit the contents perfectly; no waste there. This 2-player, abstract game is a beautiful addition to my collection.

A quick learning curve, like the feel or quality of the tiles. If you and your partner are both competitive this game is hard to master.

Such a blast to play with everyone. Bought an extra copy to keep in the car for emergencies! ; )

Hive is a fun game that doesn't take too long. Its pretty intuitive and beside the different movement styles for each type of piece, there are very few rules you need to remember. Because it is easy to teach and play, I would recommend this game to anybody who enjoys classic board games (Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, etc.).

Hive is a fun game that doesn't take too long. Its pretty intuitive and beside the different movement styles for each type of piece, there are very few rules you need to remember. Because it is easy to teach and play, I would recommend this game to anybody who enjoys classic board games (Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, etc.).

When I teach this to kids or people who are not very “into" games, I will do so in three short games. I try to keep these first games very short by helping them to win fairly quickly. The first game I will only use the Ants, the Beetles, and the Bee. I explain the moves of each piece and about not splitting the hive and that you can only move pieces that are able to slide out of their current position. In the next game I will add the Spiders, explaining how they move. And in the last game, I will add the Grasshoppers. In my experience, the Grasshoppers seem to be the most difficult for people to understand so I save them for last so they have a good grasp of all the other pieces. By the end of the third game they are excited and ready to play more.

When I teach this to kids or people who are not very “into games, I will do so in three short games. I try to keep these first games very short by helping them to win fairly quickly. The first game I will only use the Ants, the Beetles, and the Bee. I explain the moves of each piece and about not splitting the hive and that you can only move pieces that are able to slide out of their current position. In the next game I will add the Spiders, explaining how they move. And in the last game, I will add the Grasshoppers. In my experience, the Grasshoppers seem to be the most difficult for people to understand so I save them for last so they have a good grasp of all the other pieces. By the end of the third game they are excited and ready to play more.

Hive is a very fun, highly strategic game similar to chess that uses hex pieces with bugs. Each bug has its own particular movement, and it's a game that really makes you think. While I do I agree with the previous reviewer that the "bag" for the pocket version of the game could be better, I have to disagree with him in regards to the actual tiles themselves. Most games these days just give you cardboard, and these are engraved plastic that have quite a bit of weight to them and will definitely last a lifetime. I found them to be very impressive. If smaller tiles bother you, though, then I'd suggest picking up the regular version. The pieces are larger and the game is just as portable. Personally, however, the pocket version is the best bargain since it does include the ladybug and mosquito expansions and can usually be found for under $20.