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Best games like Hive (2026): Hive is chess without a board. Insects crawl, hop and climb around each other until one Queen Bee is surrounded. If you love its quick setup, deep tactics and pieces you can throw in a bag, these abstract strategy games offer the same pleasure with different twists, from martial arts cards to three-dimensional towers.
Our pick if you love Hive: Onitama
A martial-arts duel on a 5×5 board where your possible moves are printed on cards that pass between players. It is quick, tense and easy to teach, and costs about $30.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $30) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Games like Hive at a glance
All are perfect-information strategy games.
- Best overall: Onitama — card-driven martial arts duel (about $30)
- Best 3D board: Santorini — build towers and climb, 2 to 4 (about $50)
- Best maze game: Quoridor — race across and wall off rivals (about $38)
- Best for groups: Tsuro — stay on the board, up to 8 (about $34)
- Best for travel: Hive Pocket — smaller Hive with two expansions (about $29)
What makes Hive special
Each player has eleven tiles: a Queen Bee, two Spiders, two Beetles, three Grasshoppers and three Soldier Ants. Every insect moves differently, and the hive must always stay connected. There is no board, so every game forms a different shape. The picks below share at least one of these strengths: simple rules, no hidden information and deep, replayable tactics.
1. Onitama — players who want quick, sharp duels
Players: 2 · Price band: $20–$30 (about $30) · Pick for: Players who want quick, sharp duels · See Onitama on Amazon
Each side has a Master and four Students. Five move cards are in play: two for each player and one waiting on the side. Use a card to move a pawn, then pass it to the side, where your opponent will pick it up. Capture the enemy Master or reach their temple to win.
Games take about 15 minutes. Our Onitama rules guide lists every card.
Skip it if: you want a game with no board. Onitama uses a small mat.
2. Santorini — players who like a little more flair
Players: 2 to 4 · Price band: $30+ (about $50) · Pick for: Players who like a little more flair · See Santorini on Amazon
Move one of your two workers, then build a block next to it. Climb to the third level to win, but anyone can cap a tower with a dome to block you. God powers change the rules for each player, so every game feels new.
The 3D buildings look stunning on the table. Compare it with Hive in our Santorini vs Hive guide.
Skip it if: you dislike asymmetric powers. You can play without them, though.
3. Quoridor — families and classroom play
Players: 2 to 4 · Price band: $30+ (about $38) · Pick for: Families and classroom play · See Quoridor on Amazon
Race your pawn to the opposite side of a 9×9 board. On each turn, either move your pawn or place a wall to slow your rivals. You can never block a path completely, so the game becomes a battle of detours.
It is very easy to teach and works from about age 8.
Skip it if: you want lots of piece types. Quoridor is beautifully simple.
4. Tsuro — larger groups who want a light abstract
Players: 2 to 8 · Price band: $30+ (about $34) · Pick for: Larger groups who want a light abstract · See Tsuro on Amazon
Everyone places a stone on the edge of the board. On your turn you place a path tile in front of your stone and follow the line. Any stone that gets led off the board or crashes into another is out. The last one standing wins.
Games take about 15 minutes, and it plays up to eight, which few abstracts can match.
Skip it if: you want deep strategy. Tsuro is light and a little lucky.
5. Hive Pocket — Hive fans who want more
Players: 2 · Price band: $20–$30 (about $29) · Pick for: Hive fans who want more · See Hive Pocket on Amazon
The same game in smaller tiles, with the Mosquito and Ladybug expansions included. The Mosquito copies the movement of any insect it touches, and the Ladybug moves two spaces over the hive and one down.
It fits in a pocket and makes a great gift for anyone who already loves Hive.
Skip it if: you have large hands. The pocket tiles are small.
How these games compare with Hive
| Game | Players | Board | Length | Luck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hive | 2 | None | About 20 min | None |
| Onitama | 2 | 5×5 mat | About 15 min | Card setup only |
| Santorini | 2 to 4 | 3D island | About 20 min | None |
| Quoridor | 2 to 4 | 9×9 board | About 15 min | None |
| Tsuro | 2 to 8 | 6×6 board | About 15 min | Tile draws |
| Hive Pocket | 2 | None | About 20 min | None |
Which Hive alternative should you choose?
- Want the closest feel? Onitama.
- Want something that looks amazing? Santorini.
- Playing with kids? Quoridor.
- Have more than two players? Tsuro.
- Already love Hive? Hive Pocket.
For more, browse the best abstract strategy board games and our best two-player board games, or compare Santorini vs Onitama.
Games like Hive FAQ
What game is most like Hive?
Onitama. Both are quick, two-player and all about reading your opponent’s next move.
Is there a version of Hive with expansions included?
Hive Pocket includes the Mosquito and Ladybug.
Is there an abstract game like Hive for more players?
Tsuro plays up to eight, and Santorini and Quoridor play up to four.
