Hive

About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 213 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

music7 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 game offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience, combining elements of chess with dynamic tile placement and various bug movements.
The digital adaptation allows for convenient play against AI or friends, and the expansions add depth and variety to the game.

The multiplayer functionality is severely lacking, with many players reporting that online matches are nearly impossible to find due to a dead player base.
The user interface is clunky and unrefined, with issues such as auto-zooming and a lack of customization options that detract from the overall experience.
The AI, while decent, can be predictable and lacks the challenge needed for experienced players, leading to a lack of replayability.

graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
57%
22%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many users criticizing them as "horrendous" or "meh," citing a lack of polish and customization options. While some appreciate the interface and find the visuals crisp, others feel the overall aesthetic is limited and could benefit from significant improvements. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a major drawback, overshadowing its mechanical strengths.
- “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 graphics and the complete lack of them in the game.”
- “The graphics and music are awful, just look at that wood grain.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
61%
13%
The gameplay is characterized by simple rules that allow for deep strategic complexity, likened to chess but with unique mechanics that enhance tactical depth. While playing against human opponents is highly engaging, the AI is criticized for being predictable. The addition of DLC pieces enriches the gameplay experience, offering new strategies and maintaining the game's appeal across different platforms.
- “Simple rules that lead to incredibly deep gameplay.”
- “Long story short, the gameplay has a lot of ways for different tactics, and you could also say this game is like chess, but I think this one is more in-depth.”
- “Beautiful game mechanics - incredibly simple to learn, but yielding many different tactics and strategies.”
- “Solid mechanically but lazy effort on the engine, audiovisuals, game modes, input support.”
- “There is simply not enough gameplay and depth to the game.”
- “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.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
47%
41%
The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users describing it as repetitive, monotonous, and lacking variety. While some appreciate the cute sound effects, the overall soundtrack is criticized for being limited and annoying, leading players to turn it off after a short period. Overall, the music fails to enhance the gaming experience and feels more like a placeholder than a fully developed soundtrack.
- “You can play in windowed mode or full screen and can also change the volume of music (can be lowered to not hear it) and sound effects.”
- “You can turn off the music because that gets 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 musical selection is somewhat boring and repetitive; the game has a single and rather short track that repeats before you eventually disable audio playback after an hour of the song playing with your mind.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, including slow response times, frequent freezes, and issues with online matches. Many players find the game nearly unplayable due to these persistent glitches, particularly on Mac systems. Overall, the consensus is that the game's stability is a significant drawback.
- “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.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
Overall, "Hive" is praised for its high replayability, with many players finding it fun to learn and challenging to master. However, some users note that the AI may not live up to expectations, which could impact the game's longevity for certain players. Despite this, the game's quick playtime contributes to its addictive nature and replay value.
- “Endlessly replayable.”
- “Hive is fun to learn, difficult to master, and highly replayable.”
- “Hive is a fantastic and addictive board game that has a ton of replay value.”
- “No replayability, and the AI isn't as smart as it's advertised to be.”
- “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel pointless.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for being organic and pleasant, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, some users note that the lack of music and a poor menu/UI detracts from the overall ambiance, 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.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's optimization has improved since its initial release, but players still note that the graphic engine could be more efficient, as it tends to strain system resources and cause excessive fan noise. Additionally, the performance differences across the five difficulty levels of CPU opponents are minimal.
- “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.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find "Hive" to be a humorous and enjoyable experience, particularly appealing to fans of board and abstract games. The game's lighthearted nature contributes to its charm, making it a recommended choice for those seeking fun in their gaming sessions.
- “In conclusion, if you like board games, abstract games, or simply funny games, buy Hive and join our little group of Hive players!”
- “So funny indeed.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
The story's moral is a central theme that resonates with players, often highlighting important life lessons or ethical dilemmas. Reviewers appreciate how the narrative encourages reflection on personal values and choices, making the experience more impactful.
- “Moral of the story?”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction.”
- “Character motivations are poorly developed, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”