Hive Pocket Game by Smart Zone Games | Portable Abstract Strategy Game for 2 Players | Includes Ladybug and Mosquito Expansions | Compact Travel Edition of the Award Winning Hive Strategy Game

I bought this for my husband who loves chess. We both play strategy games and enjoy them but I just have such a hard time with chess. I looked into strategy games and found this. I remembered playing it once with my sister and thought it could be fun to get. It look me a long time to decide what version to get. I got the pocket version which is about half the size of the normal one. I did it for the expansion and color. There is a carbon version that has the two expansions like the pocket version but is the normal size and is all black and white. Honestly this is one of the most simple yet super fun games I have come across. I am very glad I bought it. My husband also loves this game. It was the perfect birthday gift for him! The pieces are very well made and are like dominoes. The game comes with a bag that has more than enough room for all the pieces including the expansion that it came with. The game itself seems a little complicated at first but I played with the instructions in front of us and we both got it in just a couple games. It is definitely a little pricey but I waited for a small sale and I think it was totally worth it. Overall I would definitely recommend this game. It is super fun and well made. It is a little easier than chess but still has plenty of strategy involved. My husband’s only complaint about the game was he wished the pieces were bigger. The game has a rule about moving pieces, if it can’t slide into a spot it can’t go there (with the exception of a couple bugs). I could play with the pocket version just fine and knew if a piece could slide into a spot but my husband struggled a little more with it. Just letting you know, if you are wondering if your beetle can sit on your opponent’s bee and spawn your pieces around it, yes. Yes you can.

First, I'll discuss the game of Hive, and then I'll talk about this set, both in terms of itself and as compared to other Hive editions (i.e. the standard set and Carbon). So far, I've played several editions of Hive: my pocket edition (being reviewed), the standard edition, and the digital version on Steam. I've played several dozen games, now, so I'm evaluating the game from a novice perspective. That alone should tell you something; Hive is a deep enough game that you don't come close to mastering it in a few dozen plays. And yet, the rules are even simpler than those of chess, something I can explain to anyone in five minutes. Another thing you can tell from my playing history is that I really enjoy this game. These several dozen games have taken place over the course of three weeks, so I'd call myself an enthusiastic novice. I used to be a fairly committed chess player for a short period of time, and Hive evokes very similar feelings. It's a two player game in which the players take turns, moving their pieces in distinctive ways in order to capture the opponent's royalty (here a queen bee instead of a king). In both cases, there's no luck, and the position on the board is very dynamic and complex. I'm not qualified to say whether or not Hive is as deep as chess, but unless you're a pretty serious player of either, you'll be able to get enough strategic depth out of either one. There are a few things that I actually enjoy more about Hive. First of all, I like the theme and aesthetics of the cute hexagonal bug tiles, although this is highly subjective. One undeniable advantages that Hive enjoys, however, is that it is even more portable that chess, requiring no board. A relatively flat surface will do; a highlight of my recent cruise to Bermuda was playing with my stepdaughter on their beautiful beaches. This leads us to the qualities of this particular set. The pocket edition, like all the current Hive editions, consists of nice sturdy hexagonal tiles made of bakelite. All sets use the same art for the etched insect icons. The standard and pocket editions have black and ivory pieces with different colors for the etching of each type of insect, while the Carbon set etchings are colored the opposite of the black and white tiles. The tiles for the pocket edition are about an inch across, while the standard and Carbon tiles are about twice that. So the aesthetics of each set are very similar. The Carbon set is very distinctive, but I've heard people say they like the cue of the insect colors. I don't think the pocket tiles suffer from being smaller than the other tiles; on the contrary, it makes them more portable. Like everyone says, the bakelite material is very pleasing, like mahjong tiles. I like the insect iconography, but I understand a minority of players are just turned off by the bug theme. It's abstract enough that I feel safe saying that won't be a problem for most people. One thing that I think sets the pocket edition apart is the price; the full retail price is currently $25, but it's selling as of now for $18 and change on Amazon. Since I view the size of the pocket edition to be an asset on the balance, the reduced price tag makes it only more attractive as compared to the other editions. I don't feel that anything is sacrificed by the smaller tiles, and one's preference for the standard/pocket style versus the Carbon edition might go either way. I don't really have anything negative to say about this game, at all. I've been able to get several other people to enjoy this game enough to buy their own set. It's engaging like chess, without the centuries of strategic "baggage" that requires months of study before you can even call yourself an amateur. This is currently my favorite two-player game and my favorite abstract strategic game.

This maybe the most fun abstract strategy game I've ever played. It's a lot like chess in that each piece has a different movement, but it is also definitely one-of-a-kind. The strategy is deep, but the game is much simpler and plays faster than chess. If you want a more complex game, you can buy the expansions, or in the case of the pocket version, they come included (except without the pillbug). The object of the game is to surround your opponent's queen bee (a hexagon stamped with a bee graphic). The other hexagonal tiles (with bugs imprinted on them) have unique movements. The pieces are really beautiful and are much improved from the original wood pieces. I'd recommend getting the pocket or the original version, NOT the carbon version. Sure you save a few dollars on the carbon version, but there are a few caveats with the carbon version. With the carbon version there are only 2 colors (black and white), which makes it harder to tell the playing pieces apart than the original or pocket versions of "Hive," where each playing piece (bug) is a different color, making it much easier to tell the difference between the pieces. Second, and this is just an opinion, the carbon version gives it a very serious look, like chess. Some people like that. I do not. The colors create a playful, easy-going flavor. One of the big benefits of the game is that it is much more accessible to people than chess. The serious look of the carbon version makes it look...like chess, decreasing the possibility that people will try out the game because they think they're playing the difficult, serious and complicated game of chess. My recommendation is get this set.

Recently, while camping, my teen son & I couldn't get any one else to play games. We were stuck with a pile of multiplayer games so when we came home, I began a search for the best 2 player games & this one pulled up on quite a few lists! We are BIG board game people, I am amazed I have never seen this one before! We have now played it a bunch of times & both love it, I am not a strategy person but my son is. Although he wins more than not, I still have a good chance of winning & it is always fun! The pieces & moves really fit the insect/spider behavior so you do pick up & remember the moves easily. I bet they will come out with a caterpillar expansion :) I could see playing this game anywhere - even a plane. The tiles are heavy & solid & would stay put, especially if you take a little no slip drawer pad (could easily be stored in the bigger-than-necessary carrying bag. Play it on a windy day outside, play it in the backseat of a car on the center console. It is so small & so portable & won't blow away like cards! We also bought the pill-bug expansion, it is a real game-changer. We haven't played it much so I can't really give a review of it or the other two expansions. When we first started to play, we didn't include any of the expansions, I think that is the best way to get the idea of the game, then slowly add each expansion as you learn how to use them. There is a learning curve & you will never master this game. It has lots of replay-ability, each game is completely different, even if you tend to start with the same piece (spider in my case). Get this game! It's a bit spendy but you will not regret it!

This version of the game comes with the base set of pieces as well as the additional, more advanced mosquito and ladybug. Also included is a pretty quality canvas bag for holding the game. The pieces are durable and tactile, very fun to hold and play with. The game itself is extremely fun, easy to learn + teach, and quick to play. Definitely my go-to game when travelling or just trying to kill some time with a friend. I often describe it as "chess, if chess was fun." Each game takes at most a few minutes, and even after months of playing regularly I feel like I still learn something from every round. After playing a round, everyone I've played with has wanted to jump into another game to test out a new strategy or piece. All in all, a very fun and engaging game for 2 players. Would recommend to literally anyone.

Super fun game. Very fun game to bring anywhere. It’s very strategic and the fact it comes with every expansion but one is a great value too. The tiles are really good quality too.

One major problem with Hive Pocket, that I have not seen mentioned here, is that it is really too small for young people to play without knocking the tiles out of orientation. One has to have pretty adroit fingers to be able to keep the tiles in their proper places throughout the game. If you are on a bumpy ride or playing with a youngster, this size of Hive may be a little frustrating. Wouldn't be a big deal but the way some of the pieces move and can't move is dictated by being able to see a straight orientation of pieces. My wife and I play this version with no problem, whatsoever (and I have never had a problem playing this with other adults). However, when I introduce younger kids to this (I work at the Boys and Girls Club), some of them are a little frustrated with the delicacy that is required to keep things straight. The larger version just doesn't have this issue. Any person of reasonable age could play the original version. As a whole, excellent game, beautifully wrought, a truly elegant design.

Hive has quickly become one of our most-played two-player games, and it’s one I wish we had discovered sooner. It’s incredibly simple to learn — no board, no setup, just beautifully made tiles that feel great in your hands — yet the strategy unfolds in clever and unexpected ways every time you play. It’s the kind of game where you can teach the rules in minutes but still find yourself thinking about new tactics long after the game ends. What I love most is how elegant and portable it is. We can bring it anywhere, and games are quick enough that it’s perfect for a short session before bedtime or a longer stretch when we want a real mental challenge. The different insect abilities make the game feel dynamic and alive, and my 4-year-old loves learning how each piece moves. At the same time, the strategic depth makes it incredibly satisfying for adults. Hive hits that rare sweet spot where the game is both relaxing and competitive, approachable yet endlessly replayable. If you're looking for a fantastic two-player game that combines great table presence, smart design, and real replay value, Hive is an easy 5-star recommendation.

divertido, excelente juego. Es como ajedrez pero en una versión mas bella

A travel version of Hive with all the add ons Vs the original version, this set is actually more worthwhile and easier to set up - though the pieces move easily out of place as it is lighter. Take time to learn the rules and you're off to a good time if your opponent is similarly skilled :)

Lättare att lära sig en chess..

Super

Hive is a fun game that doesn't take long to learn and has elements not unlike chess or checkers. We were able to learn the game in less than 10 minutes, but that's only the beginning since each game we've played since, we've realized new stragies and methods to beat your opponent. This game can provide hours of fun and has great replayability. The one thing to note is that if you don't enjoy games like chess or checkers there is a good chance you won't like this game. This is the perfect edition of hive as it comes with a travel bag, and the peices are the perfect size, not too big or small. It also comes with the expansion peices which you would have to pay extra for otherwise. Package came in good condition.