Hive is a tile-based strategy game that leaves the game table, and your brain, swarming with bugs.

TLDR: This tile game is easy to learn, has no setup time, and takes about as long to play as a game of checkers but is way more engaging.

Games that are the most engaging don’t leave anything to chance: no cards, no dice, just raw decision making and consequences. Every time I teach someone how to play Hive, it goes like this:

1. They love the game pieces because they have great insect art and the tiles are heavy and durable, like a fancy set of dominoes.
2. As we play, they realize that it’s a bug-themed, chess-like game, but simpler. Every bug has a different way of moving and they crawl around each other instead of moving on a square board.
3. They ask, “Wait, how does this bug move again?”
4. Dead silence.

It’s #4 that I’m looking for. This is the sign that both players are engrossed. It only takes about five minutes to get there with Hive, the game lasts about 15 minutes, and everyone always wants to play again. And again. After four or five rounds, you’ll be ready for a break to discuss it. But keep the set handy, because you’ll be ready for another session before you know it.

2 players.
15 minutes.
Age: 9+
Playable again and again.
Grabs your whole brain.

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