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Hive

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

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Quick resume

Officially licensed version of the "Mensa Select" award-winning board game! Hive is a board game with a difference. There is no board! The pieces are added to the playing area thus creating the board.

Global score

84/100

Genres

Casual, Indie, Strategy

Pros

  • Faithful adaptation of popular board game
  • Deep and challenging strategic gameplay
  • Multiple ai difficulty levels
  • Supports local, online, and asynchronous multiplayer
  • Short, replayable matches

Cons

  • Small and inactive online community
  • Some ui and graphical limitations
  • Dlc required for full piece set
  • Ai not very strong at highest levels
  • Multiplayer matchmaking issues

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players freely choose which pieces to place and how to move them, with no fixed board layout and many strategic options."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game is a deep abstract strategy requiring skillful planning and tactical thinking, with challenging AI and multiplayer."

  • Competition
    4

    "Strong focus on competitive play against AI or other players, including ranked and asynchronous multiplayer."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Games are short but highly replayable, encouraging multiple sessions and habitual play."

  • Cooperation
    -4

    "Primarily a two-player competitive game with no cooperative modes or team play."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players create the board dynamically by placing pieces, and DLC adds new pieces for varied strategies."

  • Domination
    2

    "Competitive dominance is a goal, but interactions are balanced and respectful without emphasis on trash talk or power imposition."

  • Escapism
    2

    "Provides a mental distraction and stress relief through strategic gameplay, but not heavily focused on real-world escape."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players explore different strategies and piece combinations, especially with DLC expansions."

  • Exploration
    -3

    "Gameplay occurs on a dynamically built board but within a limited hex grid; no exploration of new areas."

  • Expression
    2

    "Some customization of piece appearance and themes available, but limited to cosmetic changes."

  • Fantasy
    -4

    "Abstract strategy with realistic insect-themed pieces; no fantasy or fictional narrative elements."

  • Fellowship
    1

    "Some social interaction through multiplayer and community, but small player base limits strong community feeling."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop strategic thinking and improve skills over time through practice and learning."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary board game with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle
    3

    "Supports asynchronous play allowing players to take turns at their own pace."

  • Intimacy
    -3

    "Limited to competitive interaction; no emphasis on forming close emotional bonds."

  • Leadership
    -4

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely head-to-head competition."

  • Progression
    3

    "Players accumulate positional advantages and unlock achievements; DLC adds new pieces to collect."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "Offers a calm, thoughtful experience but can also be mentally intense and challenging."

  • Sensation
    -2

    "Visuals and sounds are minimalistic and functional rather than highly stimulating."

  • Status
    1

    "Some recognition through achievements and rankings, but limited social visibility due to small community."

  • Story
    -5

    "No narrative or story elements; purely abstract gameplay."

  • Strategy
    5

    "Core of the game is deep strategic and tactical thinking akin to chess and go."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some tension from competitive play but overall a controlled and thoughtful experience."

  • Value
    3

    "Good value especially on sale; cheaper than physical board game and offers AI and online play."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No combat or destruction; constructive and abstract gameplay."

  • Survival
    -4

    "No survival or resource management elements; stable and predictable gameplay environment."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026