Smart Zone Games Hive Pocket 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.

This game has little hexes with different insects on them, and each type moves differently (like how chess pieces each move differently). This "Pocket" version still has pieces that are plenty big enough for play on any table, etc. I can't imagine needing the full-sized version, especially since the hive can sometimes sprawl a little bit. Plus this Pocket version includes the "ladybug" and "mosquito" expansions, which are aren't cheap to buy separately for the original version of the game.The object of the game is to surround your opponents queen before your opponent surrounds yours -- and the hive can never split, so all pieces must touch each other in a contiguous mass (with gaps). Pieces move like this:Queen: Slide-moves one space any direction while staying connected to the hive.Grasshopper: Hops over pieces to the next open space in that direction.Spider: Slide-moves exactly 3 spaces without backtracking.Ant: Slide-moves to any position you can slide it to (but not into holes that would require insertion from above).Beetle: Moves one space per turn, but can slide or move on TOP of other pieces.Ladybug (included expansion): Must move 3 spaces such that the first 2 are on top of the hive, and the 3rd brings it back down to table level.Mosquito (included expansion): Can take the movement characteristics of any creature it is touching at the beginning of the turn, so if it is beside a spider and a grasshopper, the mosquito can jump to the next open space like the grasshopper, or can slide 3 spaces like the spider. If the mosquito is acting like a beetle and moves on TOP of the hive, it plays as a beetle until it comes back to table level.We found it helpful to play without the expansions the first couple times, and then add the expansions one at a time. It's fun to see how strategies develop experimentally when you aren't taught strategies to begin with, so a strategy that works in the first game or two might cease to work quickly. I'm sure that as we play more, eventually we'll end up with some more robust strategies. Our first couple games went a little slowly while we referenced the rules frequently and tried to guess how moves would impact the game. It seems like 20 minutes will probably be the average game duration.If this type of creatively simplified chess mechanic sounds interesting to you, I certainly recommend you check it out!

I saw multiple reviews on this and many people recommending it. It's a great game that I ended up liking more than I expected and while I'm not big into board games etc., I'd put it in my top 5. It's easy to learn, travel with, and generally playable by anyone. I played it with my wife a t the hospital while she was in the delivery room.

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 is easy to learn, fun to play and re-play. I got it for my 13-years old son and we are still learning the strategies to win. It says 20 mins playtime but our games go faster, maybe 10 mins. As we get better, I can see maybe longer games. The tiles will last for ever and are not too small, just be careful as you move them around so you don’t mess up your game. The pouch is simple, but best for travel. You get two sets of instruction, in French and English. You will probably keep them home with the box, when traveling with the pouch only. Not a problem because the game is easy to learn. I think the travel set is well priced, but I would not pay more for the bigger box/tiles. Very happy with this Xmas game.

Great game! I originally purchased the Hive Carbon set and loved the classic black and white…But this Hive pocket set is fantastic! The colors, size, weight, quality, finish… all perfect! I didn’t think the size would make that much of a difference, but it does. The smaller size is awesome and much more conducive to restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, etc. Now, I’m hoping for a Hive Pocket Carbon! I had to order the Pillbug separately, but it should be arriving soon. I’m anticipating the same great quality and a welcome addition.

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

Great!!!