Image Courtesy of Purple
This review continues my series of detailed reviews that attempt to be part review, part resource for anyone not totally familiar with the game. For this reason I expect readers to skip to the sections that are of most interest.
Summary
Game Type - Abstract Game (Tile)
Play Time: 10-40 minutes
Number of Players: 2
Mechanics - Tile Placement, Modular Board
Difficulty - Pick-up & Play (Can be learned in under 15 minutes)
Components - Excellent ++
Release - 2001
Designer - <PERSON>( Army of Frogs, <PERSON>)
Overview
In Hive each player is attempting to trap (surround) their opponent's Queen Bee in order to win. To achieve this both sides must utilise a range of hexagonal tiles that feature a variety of insects, each with their own special movement abilities. By placing tiles into the play area a Hive is formed by the pieces themselves and the challenge of the game is to manipulate the hive and its many moving parts to gain the upper hand.
The Components
Hive is a classic abstract game in that it utilises the bare minimum of components. In all only 22 pieces are required for game play.
Bakelite Tiles - These are not only the most important components...they are the only components. Each side receives 11 hexagonal tiles made from Bakelite (you gotta love Bakelite...it feels so nice)! One set of tiles come in black and the other in white (sometimes off white depending on the copy you bought) and this only strengthens the game's abstract nature.
Each tile features an iconic representation of an insect type. These designs are coloured differently for each insect and the design is engraved or etched into the Bakelite, so fading over time will not be an issue.
Each side receives the exact same make-up of insects and they include -
1 Queen Bee
2 Beetles
2 Spiders
3 Grasshoppers
3 Soldier Ants
It is important to note that earlier versions of the game featured wooden tiles with 'stick-on' decals but to my knowledge the Bakelite version is now the 'standard' and really the 'must have' version.
These tiles are simply gorgeous. To those with 'tactile tendencies' they are wonderful to feel and many a gamer will idly fondle a piece as they contemplate their next move. The iconic design also has a classic look.
Image Courtesy of kilroy_locke
Tray Insert - I don't normally mention the tray insert but will here as it has more relevance than usual. The insert in theory is a good design as it allows the hex tiles to be nicely stored. 581
However it appears that in most (if not all cases) the insert seems to crack in 2 or more corners. For this reason...
Image Courtesy of Pionek
Travel Bag - ...the inclusion of the travel bag is excellent. Circular in nature and made from a sturdy canvas type material, the travel bag allows all tiles to be stored neatly. Its size allows it to fit inside the box or it can be placed on a shelf without the box as this looks visually pleasing too. In short an owner has the option to throw away the insert tray and keep the box or simply throw away both and use the travel bag if space is an issue.
Image Courtesy of zombiegod
Rules - Like any good abstract game, the rule set is pretty minimal. This allows the rules to fit on a double sided leaflet and they are well presented with diagrammatical examples.
In all Hive is presented at a high standard and even the most fussy of game players would tip their hat to the production values present in Hive.
The Game Play
Image Courtesy of richardsgamepackAs mentioned earlier the aim of Hive is to completely surround your opponent's Queen Bee (all 6 sides). It does not matter what the colour of those pieces are (white or black) therefore it is entirely legitimate for victory to be achieved by using a player's own insects against them!
Set-Up -
The beauty of hive is that the set-up involves nothing more than taking the pieces out of the box or bag and each player taking their coloured tiles. The game is now ready to go!
Basic Play - On a given player's turn they are allowed to do one of two things. They can add a new tile to the table, which expands the size and structure of the Hive, or they can move one of their own pieces already in the Hive.
Adding a New Tile - This is as simple as taking a tile from a player's supply and adding it to the play area. Like any good abstract there are of course restrictions. A tile must be placed such that it does not touch an opponent's tile and it must connect to a tile that the active player already has in play (the newly placed tile cannot be placed in isolation). 84