Hive Pocket

I bought this pocket game for my adult daughter who had played it with another group of adults. The game is extremely portable and contained within a fabric draw string pouch. The pieces are either black or white and maintain an engraving of sorts of various insects along with the main piece being a 'bee'. In some regards the game is like playing chess as each 'insect' has a designated amount of movement allowing pieces to jump others as both sides try to surround the opposition's 'bee'. Very immersive, thought provoking definitely value for money. The pieces and the pouch are of good quality and whilst it may take a little time understanding each of the pieces, it is worth that time as gradually one gets better and better. Excellent purchase.

I was hesitant whether to buy classic/carbon or pocket at first and ultimately went with pocket for the size, the weight, and the price. I did not regret.Pocket is super portable, especially size-wise. It's the kind of size that fills a gap in your bag/luggage perfectly. (Not saying classic/carbon aren't, but I've never seen them in real life.) However, it's also surprisingly weighty, but in a good way! AS in it's satisfying to hold the pieces in your hand. The individual pieces are also just the right size, such that the whole "board", as you play, fits perfectly on the tiny pull-down table on a train! I didn't like the colour-coding of the bugs before buying, but it really helps a beginner read the board and familiarise with the different pieces. I'd still say though, the colours could have ben better, just personally not a fan of the muted, whitish colours and prefer richer ones. Same goes for the carrier pouch, it's perfect function-wise, but why do they have to use this repulsive faded red-orange colour??Now, the gameplay, if you have never played it. Hive is really fun (despite my sore loser moments). The way you'd plan ahead and strategise feels very chess-like, but it's simpler to learn, faster to play, and more flexible. As it's hexagonal and boardless, the geometry has endless possibilities. It is like the funner, artsier younger sibling of chess.

Pocket Hive has become an essential part of our train journey entertainment, and my boyfriend and I absolutely love it! This compact and lightweight game has provided us with countless hours of fun and bonding on our travels.It’s Travel-Friendly: Its small size and lightweight design make it perfect for train journeys.Engaging Gameplay: Pocket Hive offers a unique and captivating gaming experience.Strategic Challenge: It's a game that keeps our minds sharp and entertained.Perfect for Couples: Ideal for couples looking to pass the time together.High Replayability: We never get tired of playing it; every match is different.Durable: Despite its compact size, the game pieces are well-made and durable.It’s definitely a game we don’t leave home without!

Great game for those that like the idea of chess. However, this game is much more simple than chess (and arguably better for it). I had no problem playing with my partner who is not interested in chess whatsoever.Pros:- Full game in a pocket size (slightly smaller tiles than the original)- Comes with drawstring travel bag that is perfect for stuffing into your carry-on luggage- Mosquito and ladybird expansion tiles included (add a slight complexity for regular players)- Lovely coloured tiles (no idea why anyone would purchase the black/white version)- Perfect for playing almost anywhere: no board, just play anywhere with a flat surface!Cons:- I have spotted one other expansion that isn't included: pillbug. Would be nice for them to update this pack to include, rather than charge £7-11 (prices I can see right now) for two extra tiles.- Not a problem for me, but mine also came with slight marks underneath the tiles as others have commented. I don't think this is from previous use, but is instead an issue with manufacturing/storage. Barely noticeable anyway.Final thoughts: Excellent game, I would buy it again. The cons listed are very picky, but worth pointing out.

This is a great game which, once the basic moves have been grasped, can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I have had success with a 5-year-old, although it's probably more appropriate from around age 7 or 8. The pictures and colours are lovely, and the tiles have a nice, quality feel to them.You probably wouldn't want to play it for hours, but one of its advantages is that each game is very quick - as little as five minutes. It's also super easy to set up (unlike chess, you place the pieces as you play), comes in a handy bag so you can take it anywhere, and doesn't take up very much table space. The flip-side of this is that the tiles are quite small (I think another reviewer has posted photos comparing them with the full-size ones), which unfortunately does make it slightly easier accidentally to jog them out of place. For this reason I recommend the non-travel version above this one, but both are very good.