Hive is a bug-themed tabletop abstract strategy game where players use hexagonal tiles representing different insects to try to completely surround their opponent's queen bee. The game requires no board and can be played on any flat surface, making it highly portable.
The Verdict
based on 19 reviews
Hive Pocket is a highly recommended, portable two-player strategy game that offers significant replayability due to its deep strategic elements despite simple rules, making it ideal for travel and continuous improvement.
The reviewer highly recommends Hive as a unique, boardless strategic game, praising its portability, quick setup, ~20-minute playtime, and high-quality, tactile pieces, finding it a mentally engaging and fun addition to any collection.
The reviewer highly praises Hive as a fantastic, challenging, and deep two-player game, perfect for travel due to its portability and durable components. They appreciate its thematic rules, easy-to-learn mechanics, and strategic depth, noting it's hard to master.
Shut Up & Sit Down praises Hive Pocket as a portable, tactile, and intellectually engaging abstract strategy game. They highlight its simple rules but deep strategic challenge, making it an excellent two-player contest of wits.
The video offers a review of the physical board game Hive Pocket, highlighting its strategic and fun two-player gameplay. It covers the game's mechanics, components, and the advantages of the pocket edition, including included expansions.
The video offers an overview of Hive Pocket, a two-player strategy game where players aim to surround their opponent's queen bee using insect pieces with unique movements. It demonstrates gameplay and discusses the included Mosquito and Ladybug expansions.
Wirecutter highlights Hive as a quick, portable tile-laying game that delivers deep chess-like tactical strategy without requiring an actual board.
The reviewer enthusiastically recommends Hive, praising its elegant and simple rules as classic and essential for every game collection. They suggest it's perfect for all skill levels and makes an excellent gift.
This Quackalope review praises Hive as a timeless, accessible abstract strategy game ideal for introducing new players to the hobby. The reviewer highlights its enduring appeal and depth, deeming it an excellent, highly recommended title.
The video from Board Game Sanctuary offers a review and gameplay demonstration of the physical board game Hive. It covers the game's tactical tile-placement mechanics for two players.
The video offers a comprehensive look at the board game Hive, including an explanation of how to play the game with its base pieces. It also includes the creator's review and thoughts on the game.
Hive is a deeply strategic, highly portable abstract game combining chess-like depth with fast checkers-style pacing. Its thematic bug movements and component quality make it a must-own two-player experience.
Lists to explore
View all lists & features
Top 25Best 2 player-only board games
Find out which games to play with your loved ones, siblings, friends, kids or parents.
Top 25The 25 best card games
Their components fits nicely in the palm of hands yet the possibilities are endless.
RankedJamey Stegmaier board games, ranked
From Wingspan to Scythe — see how Jamey Stegmaier's games stack up.
Top 25Best Cooperative board games
Win together or lose together — co-op games worth rallying your table around.










