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Hive is a strategic game for two players that is not restricted by a board and can be played anywhere on any flat surface. The base game of Hive is made up of twenty two pieces, eleven black and eleven white, resembling a variety of creatures each with a unique way of moving. Hive Carbon and Hive Pocket include the Mosquito and Ladybug expansions, for a total of 26 pieces.
With no setting up to do, the game begins when the first piece is placed down. As the subsequent pieces are placed this forms a pattern that becomes the playing surface. (The pieces themselves become the board.) Unlike other such games, the pieces are never eliminated and not all have to be played. The object of the game is to totally surround your opponent's queen, while at the same time trying to block your opponent from doing likewise to your queen. The first player to totally surround the opponent's queen wins the game.
- deep strategic depth for an abstract game
- portable pocket edition
- works well for two players
- not the easiest for newcomers
- insects with unique moves
- insects; abstract strategy on a hex grid
- n/a
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — indirect control by surrounding spaces and threats
- Tile Placement — place insect tiles with distinct moves to surround the opponent's queen
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's waterproof so will be entirely Pub friendly
- Skull is an amazing game
- Hanabi is a legendary game
References (from this video)
- Highly portable and durable components
- Great play anywhere and highly tactical for two players
- Abstract theme may not appeal to everyone
- Tactical, positional combat
- Abstract strategy with insect-themed movement; no narrative setting
- Abstract, no explicit story
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- distinct movement rules — Each insect piece has unique movement, creating chess-like strategic tension
- placement — Players place pieces to form a board-like layout as the game progresses
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Mini Diversity is a one to seven player game
- it's extremely hard even on its easiest setting
- it's a card bluffing game and it's drafting
- three seems to for me is the perfect number
- Tiny Epic Galaxy is there is a lot of strategy in this tiny little box
- Doxy - it's the perfect size