Game Closet: Hive

Portable, Durable, Kid-proof

Since making my 2010 resolution to play more traditional tabletop games, Lady Rad and I have rekindled a hobby that has been dormant since the time I insisted the Backgammon set that she inherited from her grandmother was haunted.

I mean, how is it possible for me to lose every single time? Haunted game board, that's how.

So in my desire to find other, non-cursed, two-player games, I discovered this delightful game from 2001 that carries the "Mensa Select" seal of approval.



"Hive" a simple, light-strategy game that's most akin to chess.  Each player has 11 hex-based, domino-quality tiles that have one of five insects etched into it.  Each player has only one Queen Bee tile and the goal of the game is to have your opponent's Queen completely surrounded with any combination of either your or your opponent's tiles.

Players take turns placing tiles on the table to create "The Hive." The Hive, for all intents and purposes, is the game board which must remain in-tact throughout the game.  Players will eventually begin moving insect tiles around the Hive in an attempt to surround their opponent, but at no time can the Hive be divided; so if you happen to have a critical piece that you want to move, but is also keeping the hive together, you are out of luck.

Each insect has a specific movement associated with it: Queens can only move one space; Spiders can move three spaces around the outside of the Hive; Grasshoppers can leap across the Hive; Beetles can move on top of other pieces to block them from moving, or drop into closed-off spaces; and the all-powerful Ants can move any number of spaces around the outside of the Hive. 

Because tiles are never removed from the game once in play, "Hive" becomes a game of out-thinking your opponent as to when to place tiles and when to move, in order to work your opponent into a corner.  However as you jocky for position, your opponent is doing the same; and as the Hive constantly changes shape because of tile movement, what you thought was a sure-fire win can change quickly as your opponent slips out from a trap, or uses a well-placed tile to block you.

"Hive's" gameplay is perfect for busy parents: 1) most games are easily finished within 10-15 minutes; 2) the rules are simple to learn; and 3) the Bakelite tiles are nearly indestructible and withstand plenty of kid-handling. Bonus points for the fact that the game can fit into a Man-Bag or purse and played when you actually get a date night.  The nylon bag that comes with the game basically screams "Please take me with you to the coffee house or pub!"


That is... if you manage to get a sitter.

(Tabletop; $29.99; www.hivemania.com)