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The Hive similar games & best alternatives

The Hive

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, DOS • 2016

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Quick resume

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?

Global score

73/100

Genres

Indie, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique insectoid sci-fi setting
    • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
    • Unit customization and rpg elements
    • Engaging story-driven campaign
    • Active developer support and updates

    Cons

    • 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

    Analysis

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

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

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

    • Competence
      2

      "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
      -4

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

    • Continuation
      1

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

    • Cooperation
      -5

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

    • Creativity
      2

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

    • Domination
      -5

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

    • Escapism
      4

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

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      2

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

    • Exploration
      3

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

    • Expression
      2

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

    • Fantasy
      5

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

    • Fellowship
      -5

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

    • Growth
      3

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

    • Health
      -5

      "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle
      -3

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

    • Intimacy
      -5

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

    • Leadership
      3

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

    • Progression
      4

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

    • Relaxation
      1

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

    • Sensation
      3

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

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      3

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

    • Strategy
      2

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

    • Thrill
      1

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

    • Value
      1

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

    • Violence
      4

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

    • Survival
      3

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

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026