The Hive similar games & best alternatives

The Hive

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2016

Should you play it?

The Hive is a strategy game with RPG elements where you assume command as the insectoid hivemind. Build and expand your underground colony, harvest resources, and evolve your swarm using DNA. Will you survive in this hostile yet beautiful underworld?

What works
  • Unique insectoid sci-fi setting
  • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
  • Unit customization and rpg elements
  • Engaging story-driven campaign
  • Active developer support and updates
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited content and unit/building variety
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • Some bugs and ui issues
  • No save feature during missions
  • Difficulty spikes and pacing problems

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Undead Horde

  • Sea Salt

  • Rise of the Third Power

  • Abandon Ship

  • Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness

  • The Iron Oath

  • Tower of Time

  • City of Chains

  • Deep Sky Derelicts
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Rise of the Third Power

  • City of Chains

  • EARTHLOCK
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Vangers
  • Escapism

    Classic Marathon 2
  • Progression

    Sparkle 3 Genesis

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

The Hive: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Expression, Violence.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to choose factions, units, and strategies; some routine base building but overall player-directed actions"

    Capsule for 8-Bit Hordes 8-Bit Hordes

    "Players have freedom to build bases, choose unit compositions, and decide strategies, though within RTS constraints."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Combat is simple hack and slash with combos, RTS elements require some multitasking and strategy but are considered clunky and sometimes boring."

    Capsule for Brutal Legend Brutal Legend

    "Game involves RTS skill and some RPG elements like unit leveling and item management, but overall combat and strategy depth is moderate and sometimes simplistic."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "No multiplayer or ranked modes; gameplay is focused on solo progression and personal goals without player comparison."

    Capsule for Torchlight Torchlight

    "No multiplayer or ranked modes; focus is on single-player campaign and personal progression without social comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Players report short play sessions with some replay interest due to story and scares, but limited content and bugs reduce long-term engagement."

    Capsule for The Backrooms 1998 - Found Footage Survival Horror Game The Backrooms 1998 - Found Footage Survival Horror Game

    "Players report some attachment due to story and atmosphere, but limited content and lack of save features reduce long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based gameplay."

    Capsule for Death Roads: Tournament Death Roads: Tournament

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can customize base layout and strategy, but unit/building types and upgrades are limited in early access."

    Capsule for Age of Darkness: Final Stand Age of Darkness: Final Stand

    "Players can customize units with items and DNA upgrades, and choose unit builds, but base building and unit types are limited."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of player dominance over others; single-player focus with no PvP or social power dynamics."

    Capsule for DOOM: The Dark Ages DOOM: The Dark Ages

    "No evidence of player dominance over others; single-player focus with no PvP or social hierarchy."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "The immersive sci-fi story, alien worlds, and atmospheric gameplay provide strong real-life escape and distraction."

    Capsule for Classic Marathon 2 Classic Marathon 2

    "Immersive alien world, story-driven gameplay, and atmospheric design provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Last Train Home Last Train Home

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Some experimentation with building and different heroes/abilities, but overall gameplay is repetitive."

    Capsule for 1v1.LOL - Battle Royale Game 1v1.LOL - Battle Royale Game

    "Some experimentation with unit builds, item usage, and puzzle solving, but overall gameplay is somewhat repetitive."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore alien environments and discover resources and story elements, though exploration is limited and guided."

    Capsule for The Alters The Alters

    "Players explore detailed alien environments, uncover puzzles, and find hidden items, though maps are limited in number."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Customization of weapons, skills, and character upgrades allows some personal expression, but no avatar personalization or cosmetic-only modifications noted."

    Capsule for Ghost 1.0 Ghost 1.0

    "Unit customization via equipment and DNA upgrades allows some self-expression, but no avatar personalization or cosmetic changes."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Highly imaginative sci-fi setting with alien worlds, strange creatures, and surreal narrative."

    Capsule for Vangers Vangers

    "Strong fantasy and sci-fi setting with insectoid aliens, mythical creatures, and imaginative story elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No multiplayer or social community features; gameplay is solitary."

    Capsule for Rise of Gun Rise of Gun

    "No multiplayer or social community features; gameplay is solitary."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop units and skills through upgrades and learn to optimize strategies over time."

    Capsule for Love n War: Hero by Chance Love n War: Hero by Chance

    "Players develop units through leveling and upgrades, and learn game mechanics over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Faeria Faeria

    "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during missions; not designed for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

    "Requires focused attention during missions; no casual or background play indicated."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Tomba! Special Edition Tomba! Special Edition

    "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage their army and base, making strategic decisions and directing units."

    Capsule for Home Wars Home Wars

    "Players lead and manage their insectoid army and base, making strategic decisions."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through leveling, DNA upgrades, and unlocking new abilities and levels."

    Capsule for Sparkle 3 Genesis Sparkle 3 Genesis

    "Strong progression through unlocking units, collecting items, and upgrading via DNA."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Atmospheric and emotional experience with some tension but overall balanced pacing."

    Capsule for Angels of Death Angels of Death

    "Generally moderate pacing with some tension spikes; atmosphere is immersive but some difficulty spikes create stress."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Vibrant visuals, sound design, and alien environments provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment."

    Capsule for Beyond Contact Beyond Contact

    "Visuals, sound, and music create engaging sensory experience with alien environments and unit designs."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Campaigns have narrative elements and mission briefings with voice acting, providing some story immersion."

    Capsule for Warfare Legacy Collection Warfare Legacy Collection

    "Story-driven campaign with narrative elements and voice acting, though story depth and clarity are mixed."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Basic RTS strategy with unit management and tactical decisions, though simplified compared to hardcore RTS."

    Capsule for Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge

    "Basic RTS strategy with resource management and unit control; lacks deep strategic complexity."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some tension in challenging missions, but overall gameplay is predictable and low risk."

    Capsule for Wooden Battles Wooden Battles

    "Some challenge and tension in later missions, but overall gameplay is moderate and predictable."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Mixed opinions on value due to early access state; many see it as a good investment for future content."

    Capsule for Wreckfest 2 Wreckfest 2

    "Mixed player opinions on value; early access state limits content but potential and updates add perceived value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat and destruction of enemy units and bases are core gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Age of Steel: Recharge Age of Steel: Recharge

    "Combat and destruction of enemy units and bases are core gameplay elements."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage resources and defend against threats to survive and progress."

    Capsule for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

    "Players must manage resources and defend against threats to survive and progress."

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Last update: 01/06/2026