Hive is an absolute blast! This two-player game is all about strategic thinking, tactical moves, and outwitting your opponent.
One thing I love about Hive is the unique movement rules for each piece. Each insect has its own way of moving, which creates endless possibilities for how you can use them to your advantage. The Queen Bee, for example, can only move one space at a time, but she’s the most important piece on the board. The Grasshopper can jump over other pieces to reach its destination, while the Spider can move three spaces around the perimeter.
Movement:
Queen Bee – One space in any direction
Beetle – One space in any direction, including onto a nearby tile. Cannot move between two taller stacks
Spider – Three spaces around the circumference of the play area
Grasshopper – Jumps over one or more pieces in a straight line in the direction of one of its hex sides (not corners)
Soldier Ant – As many spaces as the player chooses around the perimeter of the play area
Mosquito – Acquires the movement/skill of an adjacent tile
Pillbug – Moves and uncovered adjacent tile to an open adjacent space. Cannot break the hive in so doing.
Ladybug – Climbs atop an adjacent piece, moves atop another piece and climbs down to an open space.
The game ends when either queen bee is surrounded on all six sides, with the surrounded player losing.
Hive is easy to learn and play, but not so easy to master. You can pick up the basics in a few minutes, but the game has enough depth to keep you engaged for much longer. Each game play is different, you never know where it’ll take you, which keeps the game exciting and fresh.
Overall, if you’re a fan of strategy games, or if you just love a good challenge, I highly recommend giving Hive a try. It’s a game that’s sure to provide hours of entertainment for players of all ages and skill levels.
The only down side is that it’s not something you can break out with the family. It’s a two-player game, so perfect for couples.