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.

We love this game! I would say that this pocket version is the better value vs the regular since it’s cheaper AND it includes the expansion pieces. I like how the game is compact and can easily be taken to play on the go on a small surface. We love to play little games like this while we wait for our food at a restaurant. It’s also easy to take to a friends house or camping

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.

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!

Super recomendado, principalmente porque contiene dos expansiones (mosquito y mariquita) mas economico que la version original y de cierta manera me gusta mas porque lo puedo llevar a cualquier lado y jugar en espacios pequeños (como mesas de bares o restaurantes incluso una banqueta). Los materiales excelentes, resistentes, lavables y del juego ni hablar, es super popular por lo simple pero a la vez tan rejugable, estilo ajedrez. Si me leen desde Mèxico comprenlo importado, sale 50-100 pesos mas barato y a mi me llego 3 dias antes de lo previsto. Trae dos instructivos ingles y frances pero en youtube hay muchos videos explicando las reglas si no llegas a manejar el idioma aunque para las reglas es bastante basico.

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

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!