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"Hive is a horror shooter game based on the Mensa Select award-winning board game, with local and online multi-player and single-player vs. AI options. The game features 3D graphics, camera control, and switchable controls between mouse/keyboard and gamepad. Expansions like the Pillbug, Ladybug, and Mosquito are available as DLC, which can be used in online games even if your opponent does not own them."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Ms Dos

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 164 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
music5 negative mentions
  • Hive is a fantastic abstract strategy game that is easy to learn but difficult to master, making it enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
  • The digital version allows for flexible play options, including AI opponents and local multiplayer, which is great for practicing strategies.
  • The game captures the essence of the original board game, providing a fun and engaging experience with unique mechanics and a variety of bug types.
  • The digital adaptation suffers from a clunky user interface and poor graphics, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • Multiplayer functionality is severely lacking, with a dead online community and frequent crashes, making it difficult to find opponents.
  • The AI is often predictable and lacks depth, leading to a less challenging experience compared to playing against human opponents.
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players criticizing them as horrendous or lacking polish, while others appreciate the beauty and fluidity of the visuals. Many users note issues with the graphical engine and interface, suggesting a need for optimization, but there are also positive remarks about the immersive sound design and overall aesthetic appeal. Overall, the graphics seem to be a significant point of contention among players, with a divide between those who find them satisfactory and those who feel they detract from the experience.

    • “The interface is smooth and polished; the graphics are beautiful, the sounds are immersive and fit well in the mood of the game.”
    • “Visuals are crisp and fluid, much better than you'd think from viewing the trailer.”
    • “I like the graphics and the overall idea.”
    • “The graphics are horrendous.”
    • “The main problem for me is the graphics and the complete lack of them in the game.”
    • “The graphics and music are awful; just look at that wood grain.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users finding the soundtrack repetitive and monotonous, often looping the same short track. While some appreciate the cute sound effects accompanying gameplay, the overall consensus is that the music lacks variety and depth, leading to a less engaging atmosphere. Players suggest that the soundtrack feels more like a placeholder than a fully developed audio experience.

    • “The soundtrack is not that bad, but it feels more like a proof of concept than a fully fledged soundtrack.”
    • “The same 30 or so seconds of music in a loop can get monotonous quickly.”
    • “You can turn off the music because it tends to get old after a while.”
    • “An odd and annoying soundtrack... it's just... bad.”
    • “The same song loops over and over, which is fine, just a little monotonous.”
    • “The background music is a little repetitive (but if you turn it off, after a while I think you'll miss it).”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and strategic depth, particularly in multiplayer against human opponents, though the AI is criticized for being predictable. While the game offers a unique and layered experience reminiscent of chess, some players feel it lacks sufficient content and variety. Overall, it combines simple learning curves with complex tactics, making it accessible yet challenging for players.

    • “It is like a weird interesting game of chess with a one hive policy, and layered gameplay that makes this game super unique in its own right.”
    • “Beautiful game mechanics - incredibly simple to learn, but yielding many different tactics and strategies.”
    • “It has the mechanics to make each game a quick strategic test; the more moves you think ahead, the more chance you have to win.”
    • “Solid mechanically but lazy effort on the engine, audiovisuals, game modes, input support.”
    • “This version seems to be a direct port of the mobile platform, and while I've not had issues with gameplay, it did freeze when I went to look at the extras.”
    • “There is simply not enough gameplay and depth to the game.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs that hinder functionality, including slow response times and frequent glitches during online play. Many players have experienced game-breaking issues, such as unexpected draws and random freezes, particularly on Mac systems. Overall, the game's stability is a significant concern, making it nearly unplayable for some users.

    • “The UI is simply too buggy to function properly.”
    • “Hive is excellent, but this game is almost unplayable as it's so buggy and slow to respond to your commands.”
    • “The online games rarely work as they should, and there's a game-breaking bug where if you leave your opponent without moves, the game glitches and immediately declares a draw.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, users highlight that Hive offers high replayability due to its engaging gameplay and the challenge of mastering its mechanics. However, some players feel that the AI does not live up to expectations, which may impact the replay value for those seeking a more challenging experience.

    • “Endlessly replayable.”
    • “Hive is fun to learn, difficult to master, and highly replayable.”
    • “The game doesn't take much time and has great replayability value.”
    • “No replayability, and the AI isn't as smart as it's advertised to be.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally described as organic and pleasant, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, some users note that the lack of music and a poor menu/UI detracts from the immersive quality, and the absence of in-game guidance or tactical suggestions may leave players wanting more.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly organic.”
    • “An awesome board game with a pleasant atmosphere. A+”
    • “However, the menu and UI are poor; there's little music or atmosphere, and unlike games like Chessmaster, there's nothing in-game to teach tactics, suggest moves, or provide the equivalent of '2 moves to checkmate' style puzzles. It really depends on what you expect from it.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game's optimization has improved since its initial release, but players still note that the graphic engine could be further refined to reduce resource consumption, as it can cause excessive fan noise even during low-demand scenarios. Additionally, there is little noticeable performance variation across the different CPU difficulty levels.

    • “It's come a long way as far as performance since the early days.”
    • “The graphic engine could be optimized to be less resource-consuming; it's not slow at all, but it does make the cooling fans go wild sometimes, even without AI involved.”
    • “While the game offers 5 difficulty levels of CPU opponents, I have yet to notice a significant performance difference between them.”
    • “The graphic engine could be optimized to be less resource-consuming; it's not slow at all, but it makes the cooling fans go wild sometimes, even without AI involved.”
    • “It's come a long way in terms of performance since the early days.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is not explicitly detailed, but users note that while the graphics may not be impressive, the game remains functional and has a large player base.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the unique ability of a character that, while initially immobile, can connect with and replicate the movements of other pieces, symbolizing themes of connection and adaptability. This mechanic evokes feelings of empathy and resilience as players navigate challenges through collaboration.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in Hive is appreciated by players who enjoy lighthearted and entertaining gameplay, making it a recommended choice for fans of board and abstract games.

    • “In conclusion, if you like board games, abstract games, or simply funny games, buy Hive and join our little group of Hive players!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

1hMedian play time
1hAverage play time
1-1hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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