Hive

Several weeks ago I went camping with Jack(7) and we played a few board games. My original plan was to feature these games in a “mini marathon” but sadly i did the first one and then the reality of camping in the cold with a 7-year-old hit and I didn’t post the other 3 (yes I know I said 2 yesterday but it was so cold on that trip I forgot we played 4 games until I just looked at the photos).

Anyways ahead of Half Term (which starts once I’ve written this) I thought i would tie up loose ends.

I posted “Railroad Ink” the other day so a very belated Game 3 of my “mini camping marathon from several weeks ago” was “Hive”.

Hive is a 2 player game where you lay insect tiles in a hexagonal grid pattern with the end goal be trying to surround your opponent’s queen bee. The game is very chess-like with pieces having individual movements and being able to get into a stale mate-like situation. The pieces are never eliminated and not all have to be played the key condition is there can only be “one hive” which restricts moving pieces that would break the Hive.

The beauty of Hive for a situation like this comes in a nice little bag and it doesn’t use a board. There is also a pocket version which is cheaper and smaller.

On your turn, you are allowed to do one of two things. You can add a new tile to the table, which expands the size and structure of the Hive, or you can move one of your own pieces already in the Hive.

Pieces move as follows:

Beetle: It can only move one space per turn but it has the ability to move up onto other tiles. Doing so covers the tile underneath and this renders that tile immobile and inactive (its player cannot use it in any way until the Beetle moves).

Spider: The Spider must move exactly 3 spaces and it must move in a direct path around the edge of the hive.

Grass Hopper: These hop over other pieces. They can hope to the next adjacent space along a straight row of joined pieces.

Ants: Ants have unlimited movement and can move to any other position in and around the Hive.

Queen Bee: Like the King in chess it can only move one space but must be protected.

It’s easy to understand but very strategic and Jack is a big fan.

Component quality is fantastic and the pieces are made of heavy chunky thermosetting plastic (think Bakelite) and feel lovely to hold.

This definitely isn’t a game for everyone but if you have a child who enjoys chess it could be a goer.

There is also a few expansions that add extra pieces, a black and white carbon version that is just visually different and an original wooden version (that I also own because ofc I do).

There are people also online who make awesome (if a little macabre) versions with resin and real insects.