Hive similar games & best alternatives
Hive
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
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Autonomy4
"Players freely choose which pieces to place and how to move them, with no fixed board layout and many strategic options."
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Competence5
"The game is a deep abstract strategy requiring skillful planning and tactical thinking, with challenging AI and multiplayer."
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Competition4
"Strong focus on competitive play against AI or other players, including ranked and asynchronous multiplayer."
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Continuation3
"Games are short but highly replayable, encouraging multiple sessions and habitual play."
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Cooperation-4
"Primarily a two-player competitive game with no cooperative modes or team play."
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Creativity3
"Players create the board dynamically by placing pieces, and DLC adds new pieces for varied strategies."
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Domination2
"Competitive dominance is a goal, but interactions are balanced and respectful without emphasis on trash talk or power imposition."
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Escapism2
"Provides a mental distraction and stress relief through strategic gameplay, but not heavily focused on real-world escape."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."
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Experimenting3
"Players explore different strategies and piece combinations, especially with DLC expansions."
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Exploration-3
"Gameplay occurs on a dynamically built board but within a limited hex grid; no exploration of new areas."
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Expression2
"Some customization of piece appearance and themes available, but limited to cosmetic changes."
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Fantasy-4
"Abstract strategy with realistic insect-themed pieces; no fantasy or fictional narrative elements."
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Fellowship1
"Some social interaction through multiplayer and community, but small player base limits strong community feeling."
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Growth4
"Players develop strategic thinking and improve skills over time through practice and learning."
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Health-5
"Sedentary board game with no physical activity involved."
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Idle3
"Supports asynchronous play allowing players to take turns at their own pace."
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Intimacy-3
"Limited to competitive interaction; no emphasis on forming close emotional bonds."
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Leadership-4
"No leadership or group management roles; purely head-to-head competition."
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Progression3
"Players accumulate positional advantages and unlock achievements; DLC adds new pieces to collect."
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Relaxation2
"Offers a calm, thoughtful experience but can also be mentally intense and challenging."
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Sensation-2
"Visuals and sounds are minimalistic and functional rather than highly stimulating."
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Status1
"Some recognition through achievements and rankings, but limited social visibility due to small community."
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Story-5
"No narrative or story elements; purely abstract gameplay."
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Strategy5
"Core of the game is deep strategic and tactical thinking akin to chess and go."
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Thrill1
"Some tension from competitive play but overall a controlled and thoughtful experience."
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Value3
"Good value especially on sale; cheaper than physical board game and offers AI and online play."
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Violence-5
"No combat or destruction; constructive and abstract gameplay."
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Survival-4
"No survival or resource management elements; stable and predictable gameplay environment."
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Last update: 06/03/2026