Hive is a very clever game of planning and perception that never outstays its welcome Hive is an abstract strategy game that looks a bit like dominoes in a world ruled by bees. It was designed by John Yianni back in 2001 and has won a ton of awards.
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Jonathan Rowe |
Each player has a set of 11 hexagonal tiles (very pleasing, aesthetically) which they place in an expanding pattern. The object is to arrange for your opponent's Queen to be surrounded (not necessarily by your own pieces).
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You have various different tiles representing insects but you can only add a new tile to the growing hive so long as it isn't touching one of your opponent's tiles.
The beauty of the game is that, once placed, the tiles can be moved - so long as the integrity of the hive is preserved. This means pieces become 'trapped' if, by moving them, you would cause the hive to split in two.
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Spiders move three spaces around the outside of the hive; ants move any distance round the outside of the hive - but movement is blocked if an area is too narrow to fit into. Crickets hop across the hive from one end to the other. Beetles lumber just one space at a time but they can clamber over the top of the hive, trapping pieces underneath.
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Hive is a very clever game of planning and perception that never outstays its welcome. You set up moves that will 'pin' your opponent and try to avoid the traps she sets for you. There's no luck at all - it's like Chess in that regard - but the ever-changing board rewards fluidity of thought and flexible planning. It's quite unique and completely addictive. Teach your children!
