# Hive® Game — user reviews

> 92 indexed App Store user reviews of Hive® Game by GiantStep Kft., rated 4.50/5 from 280 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hive-game/id6747834729/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hive-game/id6747834729.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 216 · 4★ 23 · 3★ 12 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 19

## Newest reviews (17 of 92)

### 2/5 — One big issue and one small note

*2026-08-17*

Solo mode good except for the neon green indicators for every possible move placement on your turn… it takes out the human element of being able to miss potential plays / setups. This feels like an enormous crutch / tutorial level of hand holding while playing. It would be great to be able to turn this off so it plays like an actual tabled game.

Update: The dev response to this review is incorrect and has misunderstood or not properly read the review and meaning. I am not talking about previous moves, but current ones.

I am taking off another star, as the matchmaking / ability to play with someone else in any form simply does not work. I messaged the developer who instead of being understanding and receptive to the issue, was a little combative and simply told me to get a refund from Apple.

**Developer response:** I previously stated that rating an app down before asking for a favor is not the best approach. However, I still promised that if other players also request it, I will add an option to turn off the green indicators.

As for matchmaking, it is powered by Apple's Game Center. Since I have no control over this third-party system, I suggested requesting a refund from Apple due to these connection issues. This was not being combative, but rather offering the only realistic option given the technical limitations.

### 3/5 — Great except…

*2026-07-30*

Great except for the neon green indicators for every possible move when pressing any potential tile… takes out the human element of being able to miss potential setups etc. Feels like an enormous crutch / tutorial level of hand holding. Would be great to be able to turn this off so it plays like an actual tabled game.

**Developer response:** Go to Settings and turn Off the Show last move option to disable those green indicators. Looking forward to those 5 stars! :)

### 3/5 — I love the app, but, I would rather play with the updates.  Will that be possible?

*2026-07-27, version 1.3*

I gave it a 3, only because I love using the updates.  But if you add the updates; PILLBUG, LADY BUG, and MOSQUITO, I WOULD GIVE IT a  5 for sure.

### 4/5 — Great if you already love Hive

*2026-07-24, version 1.3*

This is an app that takes the game seriously. Too seriously for my taste, but that’s Hive for you. I remember the first time I saw Hive at a game café. I thought, “oh, a nice game with insects.” Then I played it and it was immediately apparent that this deceptively simple game was a mathematically complex war-zone. “Oh no, I groaned, this isn’t just a fun little game. It’s a whole THING, isn’t it?” 
    I pictured it already. Like Chess or Go or Poker. ELO ratings. Forums. Spreadsheets. “Tournament rules”. People are hardcore about this. Well, they are. And they do. And it is. 
  This app (smartly?) caters to those people. The AI in one-player mode, even on the easiest setting, is not for the curious newbie thinking, “Hey, I’ll play a little game to pass the time during lunch.” It will kick your butt. It is meant to hone your skills. To rewire your brain. To slap you out of complacency and turn you into a Hive warrior. It won’t use any of this language. The game is Spartan in approach. It doesn’t congratulate you. Beating it is thankless.
   It took me 8 tries to beat it on “Egg” mode, the easiest mode,  which is about two levels lower than the default “Worker” mode. And Worker Mode is only Level 3/7 difficulty. So I was playing the equivalent of “Super Easy” mode. 8 losses. It kept score. The statistics menu is announced in big letters on the opening screen.
   Granted, 3 of my losses were a result of my buying the add-on upgrade pieces and trying them out, pieces that only make the game more complex and confusing to beginners. Now wiser from being beaten over the head so much, I decided to take the game seriously.  
  I planned my moves. I was proactive, not so much reactive. I noticed when the AI mirrored my moves, remembered how early it brought out the Queen Bee. I used my spider and Beetle to their full advantage. I doubled up and stacked pieces prudently. I won.
    I won! Huzzah! How glorious! I’d broken out of my egg shell. Now just to repeat this victory and tip the scales of my statistics back out from the shadow of shame. 
    I rebooted the app because I wanted to continue playing white and going directly after a match to another causes the game to switch it up on you. I began my opening volley. So far so good. I tried to tighten up my game, remembering some bonehead moves that slowed down my progress last time. Within three moves the tide had turned. It seems the AI remembered how I’d won the last game, and it wasn’t going to allow that to happen again. This “Egg” was intent on being the first to hatch and suck out the yolks of anything it found in its hive. 

This game is survival of the fittest. Will I be playing it more? Sure, if I am feeling down and want to engage in some punishment. There is no elation in it for relatively non-competitive people such as myself. But if you love Hive and you want to become a Hive champion, you couldn’t ask for a better boot camp. I take that back. It’s not a boot camp. Boot camps actually teach you or st least tell you what to do. This is a test of skill and you can test yourself over and over again. 

One thing I don’t get is what the difference between “Flat Top” and “pointy top” are in the settings. On an iPad they look exactly the same.

### 3/5 — Hey the game is broken

*2026-07-15*

The rules is if there’s ever a point where one player can’t legally move anywhere, the next player takes their turn instead. The game doesn’t know this and it just freezes with no one being able to move

Great digital version though!!!

**Developer response:** You're mistaken, the Hive Game app knows this rule and works perfectly. You just haven't found the legal move on the board.

### 2/5 — Moyen…

*2026-07-06*

App correct mais ergonomie et design minimaliste (trop?).

Les extensions sont payantes!!!

Mais le vrai problème c’est l’absence de matchmaking. Inutile pour moi de ne pas pouvoir jouer en ligne avec un système de ranking.

**Developer response:** Merci pour votre retour. Malheureusement, le créateur du jeu n'autorise pas le matchmaking ni le système de classement. Nous vous demandons donc de ne pas noter l'application négativement pour cette raison.

### 4/5 — Very Confusing

*2026-06-17, version 1.3*

Overall the game is really good great and simple movement but it is really confusing.For example I don’t understand why I can’t move any of the pieces I just put down, and I also just can’t move the bee, but overall really good game. I just want to put in that I have been playing online on my computer and everything is free, and in here there’s an expansion pack??? I really wish the expansion came for free. Because honestly 10.00 dollars is pretty pricey to just get some bugs, better Ai, and Ui upgrades. But again really good game just please consider the expansion.🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡😎😎😎. 🐞🦟🪲Make these bugs free plz👈

### 5/5 — This is a great game

*2026-06-15*

I got this game as a physical tile game for Christmas one year and I did not play it as much as I wanted to when it was on the iPhone. I played it a lot more. Now that there is an official digital edition with AI it really makes me think and challenges me a lot.

**Developer response:** Thank you! We are thrilled to hear that you are enjoying the digital edition and that the AI provides a great challenge for you. Happy playing!

### 5/5 — Addictive!

*2026-06-09*

So glad that I can play this game for practice now without waiting for a friend to be available. Also super excited that hints have been added!

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! We are thrilled to hear you're enjoying the new features. Happy gaming!

### 5/5 — Great game! Clean app too.

*2026-06-05*

I’m loving learning Hive. It would be helpful to have hints. I’m just a beginner and it’s quite hard to learn.

**Developer response:** Thank you :) The hint system is planned.
UPDATE: Done (1.3 version)

### 3/5 — If you want this game to popularize deeper you cannot charge for expansions…

*2026-06-02*

Imagine paying for chess expansions. You should build theories and problem solving puzzles, etc and charge for those but not to play the game as players do competitively.

### 5/5 — Excelente versão online

*2026-06-01*

Excelente versão online. Contudo falta um ensino game melhor, com a sinalização de vitória ou derrota. E para melhorar a experiência seria bom implementar chat online para a gente se comunicar com amigos/pessoas online.

### 5/5 — Love this App - good Mac version of iOS game

*2026-05-30, version 1.2*

First off: Hive is an excellent strategic game that is easy to pick up BUT offers depth. Second, this app and its iOS sibling are excellent implementations of the board game: clean UI, challenging bot and some good (limited) human-to-human game capabilities, responsive design. If you are looking for a fun board game that does not take hours to learn or play, this is it.

### 4/5 — Hive Review

*2026-05-30*

It’s very fun and entertaining. A great way to hone your skills. No adverts either. Would be better if the bugs were a little more clean and polished but great overall.

### 5/5 — New favorite game

*2026-05-29, version 1.2*

So simple so skill intense so much rage created in yourself. 

When this game looks into your soul, does your soul look back? Mine did

Amazing game will definitely test your mind, skill, and patience.

Never played the board game version only just doubled on the mobile app version and it’s super cool.

Definitely needs better instructions, especially for first time players and an easier tutorial/game mode. Would be awesome too if there’s a way I could send it to a friend and have them learn it that has never played.

Would love to see the mobile version take the game farther new pieces new game modes new idea ideas would be awesome to see!!

### 5/5 — Great way to play Hive!

*2026-05-27*

Great app. I’d love to have the ability to review the game I just played and have a history of my games stored for review.

This would help me get a lot more out of practicing with the AI.

**Developer response:** Thank you for the feedback.

### 4/5 — .-.

*2026-05-27*

.-.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Do not buy for muliplayer

*2026-07-22, version 1.3*

Extremely disappointed. Paid to upgrade so I could play online vs friends that don’t live close. Online matchmaking is a joke and never worked. Contacted support and they pawned off the blame on Apple.

### 1/5 — Good concept.

*2026-07-01, version 1.3*

Like the idea. Game seems fun. I’m a big puzzle and strategy person but I haven’t been able to beat the ai once on the easiest setting. Doesn’t make for a very enjoyable experience

### 1/5 — Almost a decent game

*2026-06-21, version 1.3*

Beetle is such a ridiculous and complicated piece. This game could be fun if it stayed two dimensional.

### 1/5 — Doesn't make sense for new players.

*2026-05-25, version 1.2*

I assume this game is for people who already play the board game. Once it gets a tutorial, everyone else can play it.

### 1/5 — How…

*2026-05-23, version 1.0.8*

Do I even play when I don’t even know how to place pieces?!?!?!???!?!?!?!?!?          Why does this game exist … By the way, I don’t even play this game anymore.

### 1/5 — Online Game Center does not work

*2026-04-27*

Bought this to play with others via Game Center, but either no invite actually gets sent from the game, or it’s stuck in a continual “connecting” loop. Spent money just for this feature so disappointing it doesn’t work.

**Developer response:** Please reach out to our team at info@hivegameapp.com so we can investigate and fix this bug.

### 1/5 — Badly needs a tutorial

*2026-04-24, version 1.0.8*

I read through all the rules and was not confused by them, but definitely could not retain them while trying to play for the first time. I hope they’ll create a tutorial like most strategic games have.
UPDATE: Weird response from the developer. "The game uses the exact same rules as the retail version, which the community has followed successfully." I guess if the purpose of this app is to make the have available to existing fans/players, yeah, there’s no need for a tutorial. That seems to miss the point that my review is obviously as someone who is not yet a member of the “community” of players. It also seems oblivious to the difference between learning a game in person with experienced players and learning alone. Usually there are a few who will geek out on a game and push themselves through the learning curve on their own. After becoming familiar with it, they can bring that game to others who wouldn’t have learned the game on their own volition, but are willing to learn with someone guiding them through their first play-throughs. That’s why people often play a few “practice rounds” when someone is introducing someone else to a new game. This is why digital games have tutorials. Because it’s easier to learn the rules in situ, where the mind can start grounding down pure abstract rules to their sensory experience of the game and their logical experience of states of play. It’s a time tested tradition: give players a tutorial. I hope the developers will heed the advice of they want the game to find new players on mobile devices or other digital mediums.

Update #2, The Developer Strikes Back: “The game uses the exact same rules as the retail version, which the community has followed successfully. The rules were intuitive enough for Hive to become a Mensa Select award winner. In the real world, you buy the box, read the manual, and play. If you spent as much time learning as you did writing this essay, you’d be a better player by now. If that’s too much of a 'learning curve' for you, strategy games aren't for you."

This mostly speaks for itself. Imagine someone taking time to offer a lengthy explanation of how and why a feature would improve their product, and responding to that with insults. And not understanding the difference between a board game with a rule book that you can hold in your hand and look at while you play, and a mobile game that doesn’t have a physical rule book. It’s almost like you’d want to somehow recreate the experience of holding the rule book while you play, with the relevant rules appearing as the game progresses. You might call this a “tutorial”. You might find that it’s actually a really popular idea. Otherwise, a player would have to print out a rule book to look at while they play, or keep switch between the game app and browser app with the rules pulled up. Anyway, this developer should 1) hire a PR person who doesn’t have a short temper, and 2) reconsider excluding a tutorial feature from the game. I bet they are exhausted from recently having built and launched the game, and maybe feel frustrated at the idea of adding more work to their plate, etc. I don’t know. I’ll just say I’ve never seen such a catty and immature response to honest feedback before. Sincerely, - A Mensa member and lover of strategy games.

### 1/5 — How…

*2026-04-21, version 1.0.8*

Do I even play when I don’t even know how to place pieces?!?!?!???!?!?!?!?!?          Why does this game exist …

### 1/5 — Man this game is awful

*2026-04-18, version 1.0.8*

Awful. One of the worst board games I’ve ever played.

### 1/5 — ADD AN IN APP TUTORIAL THATS NOT A YOUTUBE VIDEO

*2026-02-06, version 1.0.3*

There should be a way to learn the game easier not switch to a YouTube video mid match. I played for hours and still have no clue what the hell im doing

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Beeautiful (see what I did there?)

*2026-08-26*

This is a great implementation of the game. The developer has kept it simple, sensibly, although the game itself is anything but. I’ve got the AI on the easiest level and it’s very hard to beat. 
I haven’t bought the expansion yet because there’s a lot to learn from the basic game. It would be really helpful to be able to introduce the expansion pieces one by one but it appears that if you play an expanded game you have to play them all.
Also it would be useful to be able to turn off the green placement guides but it’s no biggie. If I were developing this game further I’d want to animate the movement of the pieces according to their type rather than just appear in the new position. So the ant slides around the hive, the beetle climbs on top etc. 
Anyway great job.

**Developer response:** Thank you :)

### 5/5 — Super zum Lernen. Nicht verschenkbar.

*2026-08-01*

Sehr schönes Spiel, gut implementiert. 2 Spieler auf einem Gerät und über Game Center. Gibt’s nicht oft. Und kein Abomodell!! Da stimmt einfach alles. Sehr schade, dass man die App nicht verschenken kann, sonst hättet ihr jetzt ein paar Kunden mehr.

### 5/5 — Fix icon edges

*2026-07-25, version 1.3*

Great game. Please fix the white app icon edges, it looks messy.

### 5/5 — Yay hive is back

*2026-07-24*

I’m so glad to see Hive back on phones. It’s one of the best board games and this new apps ai has shown me I am really really bad at this game. But that’s good because now I have to actually learn.
Great game and the fact that you can play the base game for free without restrictions shows a real respect for the players .. there’s no annoying ads or freemium garbage.. I’ll gladly pay to unlock the full game for that reason alone (plus I want my ladybug)

**Developer response:** Welcome back to Hive! Don't worry, the AI is tough, but you'll get the hang of it. Thank you for supporting us and keeping the game ad-free. That Ladybug is waiting for you! 🐞

### 5/5 — Lit

*2026-07-21*

Lowkey this game is hard

### 5/5 — Thanks

*2026-07-10*

I love the original game, I just discovered the app, I’ll probably buy it once I’m a bit better but the first games are already interesting, and no ad ! Rare enough to be noted.
Don’t mind the negative comments

**Developer response:** Thank you :)

### 5/5 — В кои-то веки!

*2026-07-09*

🥳♟️🥳♟️

PS. Делайте ботов легче! Думал, что я профи, а оказывается, что нифига я не профи

### 5/5 — В кои-то веки!

*2026-07-07, version 1.3*

Игра отличная! У меня есть настольная версия, так что туториал не понадобился. 
PS. Делайте бота легче!!! Сыграл с ним, думал, я профи, а оказалось, что нифига я не профи.

### 5/5 — Android comparability?

*2026-07-06, version 1.3*

My friend that lives far away from me has an android phone, what are the chances of making a compatible app so we can play against each other online via this app? 
We both love hive game but aren’t able to play against each other.

### 5/5 — Can’t wait for updates

*2026-06-20*

I love the game but I believe there should be a way to view your previous matches so you can learn from them.
I feel this goes along with the philosophy of not having a tutorial. Also what is the AI pass function. It kept passing and let me win.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback! Please visit our website at https://hivegameapp.com to contact us and share your suggestions.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-09.*