Hive Pocket - Shut Up & Sit Down Review

[@haydenward082]

I woulda bought icecream

[@NylePudding]

me too

[@tardersauce3578]

me three

[@BlissBatch]

Especially since Hive Pocket has bakelite tiles, making it one of the very few board games that you can put your sticky ice cream fingers all over, and it'll be back to brand new after you rinse it off in water.

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

@@BlissBatch I did not know that they were bakelite.

[@owenvenes]

why didn't he buy the ice cream? what's wrong with him? why does he hate ice cream? monster!

[@TheR971]

This is their best review. The talk about eternity in a ruin about a travel edition of a game that is kind of like chess in India, where chess originated...whilst ants crawl over ants. The themes of the game fit the themes of the video ingeniously well.

[@liammacbean9278]

Dalalalalalalalalalalalalala

[@juuva6918]

yea with a touch of insanity :D

[@tracesigns9933]

it is such a joy to know monopoly has done its heinous work everywhere I have never felt so much a citizen of the world

[@JoshDavidLevy]

This is my favourite review that they've done. The "thinking bits", the random ice cream salesmen, and that sweet, sweet game.

[@bluecat2991]

I just got Hive Pocket and my dad and I love playing against each other. Each game takes us through a range of emotions and I can't tell you how many times I came SO close to winning only to be thwarted by him moving his Queen Bee! It's a stellar game and approachable enough that my elderly father was able to pick it up and have a great time in five minutes of explaining.

[@alecmartinez5460]

Really super appreciate the comment about otherizing foreign countries at the end. You didn't have to acknowledge but ya did and that makes all the difference! SUBSCRIBED

[@Sheriff_K]

Alec Martinez I was about to stop watching because I thought the review was over, but I’m glad I saw your comment and waited until the end, really enjoyed that bit. 👍🏼

[@charliek5964]

I can wholeheartedly endorse everything in this review. A friend and I played Hive Pocket for the whole train ride between Ottawa and Toronto. It was a lot of fun and fit perfectly on those little pull out trays on the train 😁

[@theespatier4456]

Charlie K Sick... makes me wish I had somewhere to go though.

[@AahzmandusPervect]

@@theespatier4456 makes me wish I had a friend.

[@BrthrValta]

If you don't have pillbug expansion(Like me) and still want to have same tactical element of lifting, you can play with limited lifting spider house rule. Now spiders can lift other bugs and other spiders like pillbug can, but only exactly to the opposite side of the spider. This limited lifting ability is alternative action to spiders 3 step move. So spider either lifts or move in one turn. Limited lifting spider house rule: -Spider can only lift bug exactly to opposite side of the spider.(180 degrees over itself). -It cant lift the bug if the lifted bug is pinned, if the hive would brake, if the space of spider's other side is already occupied with other bug, if the lifted bug is stacked with other bug, if the lifted bug is most recently moved by the opponent, or if the spider tries to lift the bug though the narrow gap of stacked bugs(beetle gate). -If the spider successfully lifts enemy bug, that bug is rendered immobile for opponents next turn. Immobile bugs cant move or use their special ability nor they cannot be moved by other bugs. Other bugs can move over immobile bugs though. Friendly lifted bugs are not rendered immobile. -Spiders can lift enemy and friendly bugs, queens and other spiders if all other above requirement are met. I also highly recommend Hive tournament rule: Queen cannot be placed as first piece, but must be placed at least in players turn 4.

[@ClockworkWyrm]

I actually don't like the pill bug or the "lifting" rule. While I can see it's uses I find that it kills the chess-like feeling of a battle of wits when I can just move and freeze one of my opponents pieces. To each their own though. I do like the way the pill bug looks and like to have it as a collector, I just don't play with it very often.

[@itsDvoyka]

Ladybug... Ladybird... Me a russian intellectual: God's cow Yeah for some reason we call them god's cows...

[@Adventsol]

thats why i love the internet . Is this information useful ? No will I remebmer it for many years ? Yes

[@ovajgamingtip4230]

We call them gods sheep

[@ElTrolldego]

In Swedish it's "Key Maid"

[@matvocaat]

In the Netherlands it's: Good Lord Beast

[@Nixitur]

In German, it's "Mary's bug" probably for the same reason it's essentially called "Our Lady's bug/bird" in English.

[@kryjchek]

Word of the Day: Chessticles

[@QBG]

I love the "thinking" music bits. Reminds me of stuff like _Look Around You_ and actual old-school educational videos. "Have your copy books ready!"

[@nat2r]

Sounds like Tangerine Dream

[@bobnetherton4957]

Thanks for the review. I've been walking past Hive at my local game shop for a couple of years now and never gave it a second glance. You have talked me into putting it on the "list".

[@Luiginicon]

How can anybody say no to ice cream?

[@idkwayta1722]

Luiginicon It's from India I won't take my chance with anything from India

[@NaeMuckle]

As long as you follow food with beer you'll be fine. I always drink when I eat in foreign countries. Kills off any bacteria.

[@NaeMuckle]

@Olive Drab why are you saying that like that's an issue? When I'm on holiday I'm drinking all day so if there's ice-cream it's logically going to get followed by beer.

[@andrewmosteller6115]

That synth sound effect should be a staple of every review. I love it.

[@erinchilds9857]

the best game review ever seen in my 61 years on this amazing planet. Respect and Thanks.

[@flamingnija10]

Bought hive a couple months back, and have been playing it non stop with a friend of mine who I go to school with. Any college students out there with a friend you spend a lot of time with on campus, this is perfect. Scratches the gamer itch and you doesn't require any space at all.

[@blejacmatori9179]

“Hive takes only 20 minutes” Meanwhile i played my friend and our game lasted for 2 whole hours..😂 AMAZING GAME

[@AndrewScala]

Hive is one of my favorite games of all time. I always have a copy of it in my backpack and I've taught it to tons of people

[@DiceHard]

Great work dragging the war chest all the way to India to film b roll. Amazing dedication :)

[@brianhall4182]

Squintin

[@fromthedumpstertothegrave3689]

1:45 That look when you know they've spotted you. My friend and I brought a magic the gathering starter deck each before going to India. Got some great use out of that. Love how much more open in general Indian people seem to games, art, general other cultural things which in the west are seen as often something either a waste of time or to be sneered at. Had so many people just genuinely curious about what we were playing.

[@graemek7658]

Sold! Wait, I already own Hive from a SU&SD review from ages ago. Huzzah!

[@firstsnow20]

As much as I love the apartment, these reviews from India are great! Pls consider moving

[@Shenaldrac]

Think of how many opportunities he'd have every episode to get bite by fire ants!

[@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel]

"ants are bullshit" *lays down in a bunch of live ants*

[@CustomTies]

Good review, yes, its easy to learn but hard to master. Its a quick game and much more fun. The 'Pillbug' was added to the game over a year ago, its the strongest piece when used with the Mosquito. I think it needs another couple of pieces to make it really complex. If you like chess but aren't very good at it you will love this.

[@iamQuiliamQuil]

Goodness freaking gracious I've missed these new video reviews. Excellent job, Quinns! You never cease to entertain and inform.

[@WayOfFire]

I absolutely love hive pocket but you are right, is for particular people. I know some people I’ve played it with liked it and we just moved on, were as others its gripped hold of and didn’t let go seven matches later. I think my brothers three favourite games are Carcassonne, cube quest and Hive pocket. I also don’t know how they’ve not decided to just include all the expansions in the big version yet?

[@N2HeroProductions]

I could see 2 more insects to make the total 10 for a big box. I think when they showed off the pillbug expansion they said they had more ideas for expansions.

[@allluckyseven]

Hive is a fantastic game, I love it. Enjoy your trip to Indi-- wait, lady _bird_ ?

[@Punko1969]

Did I understand him right? Did he defensively try to make the case that ladybird is a better name for a bug than ladybug? Alright. I'm over it.

[@grahamhall9814]

Yes ladybird is a much better name because, for one, all bugs are bugs so what's special about calling it a lady bug? We don't talk about butterfly bugs or grasshopper bugs or wasp bugs now do we. IMHO LOL

[@steelchampion]

lady birds/bugs aren't bugs or birds - they're beetles, so everyone loses!

[@Pixelest_Heart]

Yes, ladybird, is just the name of this insect as british call it, also American english is just an adaptation of the british english, so you can't complain of what is wright or not

[@GreyeSkye]

In America, the insect is called a Ladybug because of Claudi Alta Johnson. This woman was the wife of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. As according to Wikipedia, her schoolmates teased her with the name "Bird," which she did not enjoy. However, she did eventually grow to it, as she used it on her marriage certificate. Her father and siblings called her "Lady," and so her name was "Lady Bird." So Americans started calling the insect a Ladybug because of some sense of not wanting to insult the first lady. Or something.

[@chain-wallet]

Fact: bugs in Britain are bird sized, hence ladybird.

[@OwlbearEnjoyer]

Sorry, that's Australia

[@chain-wallet]

Justin Owlbear Actually, all of Australia's bird sized bugs come from Britain, since Australia was a British colony

[@ManyOtter]

Now give me pocket Splendor. By which I mean regular Splendor in a smaller box.

[@Thagor95]

If you have access to a 3D printer (either online or locally), there is some great small boxes for the game.

[@matthewbarker9134]

@@Thagor95 surely access to a bit of cardboard, scissors and tape is all you need.

[@danmcnabb9438]

My favorite travel and on-the-go game. Easy to explain, can play anywhere, and always piques the interest of onlookers. Great game!

[@IanNewborn]

I picked this up at a UK GenCon after being demoed it I beat the guy showing it off in my second game. He demanded a rematch and won. It was only after I found out he was the games designer when he signed my copy.

[@Fruitcupper]

4:32 After an afternoon of Hive with my parents. I discovered the Triple Ant Hitsquad. Lock important pieces down early with ants, then pull them away to quickly finish off a moshpit on the queen.

[@JarradShaw]

What a great video. And what a compelling argument for Hive Pocket. I love a good abstract and have seen this game so often and all ways wondered it’s worth. I’m sold now and will pick this and perhaps the little expansion up. Thank you!

[@Daremachina]

Maybe this review will get them selling so many copies that they’ll finally include the pillbug expansion in hive pocket

[@Wolf-Squatch]

Incorrect

[@Roxfox]

Ants are pretty useful, huh? Thanks, ants.

[@gmeaki02]

Thants.

[@JKT84]

Roxfox Ants are bullshit.

[@Symbioticism]

Pattern You are a gentleman and a scholar.

[@auron570]

this is a fantastic explanation of the game. a friend just showed this to me. at first i was just thinking of buying it for the mahjong-like tiles. but damn this game sounds like such a nice sweet spot.

[@stevenotjackramsey]

Great video! Really enjoyed the small of taste of India at the end (very much want to go). I really fancy Hive and the pocket version is the only one that I think adults should buy. The pieces of the original are unnecessarily large. And even though it's been around for almost 20 years, there has never been a revised version of the original that includes any expansions. The pocket version includes pieces that are just the right size and includes the first two expansions (ladybird and mosquito). My only quibble is that I wish they would either release a carbon version of pocket or use a pure white base plastic for the standard and pocket versions (not a fan of the ivory color). I also think of Hive as a game similar to chess that can be played in 20 minutes. My question is: if one wants to eventually get good at chess, would it make sense to start with Hive, get a deep understanding of the strategy and nuance involved and then transition? I'm pretty good at Hive but am basically rubbish with chess.

[@cephalopad]

If you want to get good at chess, the first thing you will have to embrace is the incredibly in-depth study that is required. This is because you will need to assume that other 'good' chess players have been studying themselves. This study could involve reading books, watching videos, putting in hours with a quality chess app, or just playing a ton of games (preferably against better players who will instruct you as they beat you). Because chess is so popular, the skill-level of opposition you will find yourself pitted against if you get into it is very high. This is what turns many people off of the game. I don't think that being skilled at hive would translate very well into being skilled in chess because all of the time you end up spending playing hive in 'preparation' could have been spent playing chess instead, developing skills that are specific to the latter game. This goes for any game you are trying to master. For instance, if your goal was to master Dominion, you would be best off playing Dominion rather than Arctic Scavengers or Trains. Granted, playing abstract strategy games of any kind will make you better against those who are not versed in the genre, but if your goal is to get better at a *specific* game, you will almost always be be best off by spending your time on that game rather than another related game. Having said that, I prefer being fairly decent at a wide variety of games rather than focusing on becoming an expert at one or two. I'm willing to accept that I will lose against, say, someone good at chess, but in return I will have been exposed to the wide variety of experiences that board gaming has to offer.

[@JR-White]

There's a copy of hive in my local tavern, and that kind of makes sense to me.

[@fromthedumpstertothegrave3689]

Heartily recommend going. Depending on your experience travelling I would HIGHLY recommend flying to Delhi and then getting a domestic flight somewhere more rural, personally I recommend Chandigarh, its a totally lovely non touristy city so you can just acclimatise a little to the food, weather, people and easily make further travel plans . I personally found Delhi a bloody nightmare.

[@MatthewJohnsonA]

Quinns! Quinns! There’s another expansion piece! The Pillbug!

[@luckydodo8025]

Matthew Johnson This is true, and it's a fun addition! But, the mosquito and ladyBUG come in Hive Pocket (it's the only Hive edition that includes them in the base), while the pillbug must be purchased separately.

[@MatthewJohnsonA]

Sony K actually, Hive Carbon (the full size black & white edition that I have & love), comes with the ladybug & mosquito too!

[@luckydodo8025]

Matthew Johnson Oh, really? I guess I didn't realize that, sorry! Carbon is beautiful, I've eyed it many times since my Pocket is getting a little grimy as my go to backpacking game. Now that I know it includes Ladybug and Mosquito I may just take the dive. Thanks!

[@NeverTheSame]

Only problem with Carbon is it's not good for teaching. The colour coding really helps in the first few learning games.

[@roundishwhale]

I freaking love this review xD So dense and on point, love it! Also 10/10 for the locations^^

[@PyroTyger]

5:49 first appearance of REFERENCE MANGO

[@lance5299]

XD

[@dawidscheffler7152]

Thanks for the review. It's one of my favourite quicky games; along with Onitama (easy to transport quick to teach/learn)

[@musagetes23]

Please do a review of the Dog at 3:22 I need to know if that dog is SUSD recommended.

[@ulfliller61]

That dog is just standing there, showing their butt to the camera... 12/10 creepy af

[@masterworm1]

Always love these reviews. They're hilarious and informative.

[@vanhelsingfan1]

"I dont know how to film in sun." The first step is buying a hat.

[@lemoolscript]

Another video review in a week?! Awesome start for SUSD indeed for 2018!

[@dandurkin9735]

Hive Pocket is my #1 travel game, but does unfortunately garner attention from airport screeners.

[@UnEclipsable]

One of the first games that actually got me into board games! And I've loved both it and the hoby ever since!

[@AdamSays]

This is such a great video! dude, you're hilarious. I bought the game straight after the video *applause* Well done Sir.

[@Ash16180]

Lady Bird or Lady Bug? Here in Israel we call them "Parath Moshe Rabino", which means "The Cow of our Rabi Moses." I'm not sure it's the best name, but the weirdest for sure.

[@Sheriff_K]

I’m trying to decide if I want the normal size, or the pocket size, Hive.. (and color vs carbon; i like the minimalistic look of carbon, but the colors would definitely help parsing the game.)

[@remyscreepycorner5135]

This review just sold me a copy of Hive. I've always looked at it in stores but never was sure what to make of it, but this is right up my alley

[@rodwoodman1223]

I love that your reviews include games that are not new and are not big box.

[@sh4wnolds]

I think there at the very end you meant to say that you were "Quinting" not "Squinting". Ha Thank you for another great review. Much appreciated!

[@bernadmanny]

I just bought Hive on this recommendation to play on my flights whilst going to my cousins wedding, I'm looking forward to learning it.

[@PetersonParodyProductions]

loved the ants in the shots that showed the hive board. that was a neat bit of filming.

[@fromthedumpstertothegrave3689]

It would be more impressive to film the ground in India and NOT capture ants. The bastards are EVERYWHERE. But yes, thematically great!

[@iangallagher6252]

I've played chess for nearly 30 years and I still love it. I also got my friend Hive as a present and have enjoyed the new challenge learning the strategy of a new game together. I was curious as to what you thought might happen if chess and Hive where to switch places chronologically? Would top players of Hive be competing for big prizes after 1000 years and would chess even take off nowadays? Is there something about the complexity of chess that doesn't exist in games like Hive or would we have super computers trying to beat the best players with or without "solving" the game? I find it very interesting that chess just happens to be beyond the scope of solving by computers when it was designing when a computer would, in those times (and even now), be akin to a god. Were they lucky or just lucky to be first?

[@Twunga]

these are the questions

[@Cuix]

Wait wait wait, since when is chess beyond being computer-solvable?

[@iangallagher6252]

True although the 10^120 possible positions means it would probably take a computer advancement similar to the one between the invention of chess and the technology we have today. For example, quantum computing alone won't be enough as chess didn't have the cyclic behaviour that quantum exploits. I doubt many game designers aim to future proof their game to the level that chess has proven so far. But it's the history of chess that means people try and that's why I wonder if we'd have AlphaHive beating the very best carbon and silicon Hive players (but not solving) if the game was invented 1000 years ago.

[@adamj2683]

Very good questions. I think what makes Hive great isn't necessarily whether or not it can compete with Chess in complexity. Are you familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the 3 bears? The theme of the story is that the best option is often a happy medium between two extremes. Hive is in the Goldilocks Zone of complexity. Hive hits a sweet spot--not too simple that you get bored easily, and not too complex that it prevents quick, fun games even for beginners. It's quick to learn but hard to master. Games for beginners are typically between 10-15 minutes and leave people excited and wanting MORE, easily leading to 4+ games played in a single session. Chess by comparison is not in this Goldilocks Zone of complexity: it doesn't seem that *fun* for most beginners, games take forever and seem to leave people exhausted/frustrated or wanting to switch activities. Hive seems to have extracted what makes Chess fun for most people and distilled it into a much more approachable and "playable" game. You still have those crucial moves where you sit in focused intensity, calculating as deep and as fast as you can, knowing that everything is riding on it--but either way the game is over in 15 minutes so there's less pressure. You can just learn from your mistake and start another game in a couple minutes! This means you go through the phases of the game more frequently than chess (rarely getting bogged down in the molasses of long slogs), you get to experiment with new tactics/strategies in a new game more frequently than chess, you get that post-game sense of satisfaction more frequently than chess, you get a between-game breather more frequently than chess, and so on. Add in the fact that you don't need a board and that the component quality is always excellent and satisfying to play with, and it's easy to see why people love Hive so much.

[@milesstock2943]

i'm about 1600 rated in chess and completely agree it's boring and annoying when you are starting out. you need to practice your ability to see how the pieces move intuitively, which isn't easy at all for beginners and takes a stupid amount of time for a game. i only endured it because i didn't have much else going on at the time. once you get over that hump though, the base game becomes much more satisfying as you incrementally get better and better at seeing complicated tactics and learning and applying strategies. then it's awesome

[@michaelbarron8495]

More SU&SD awesomeness. What more can I say?

[@mattrodda1975]

I love abstract games, but I really struggle to get them to the table. Nobody ever wants to pair off for some two player abstract gaming at boardgame nights :(

[@zheller58]

This video made me excited to play something I never played before. Thank you!

[@mattcurr9931]

I have pocket hive. been playing it for a year (friend's copy). finally got it for $22, all 20+ pieces but now I'm on the fence about paying half that ($11) for just two pillbug pieces. My penny-pinching brain wont let me forget the cost per piece disparity.

[@DottRossi]

Amazing and lovely video /recommendation and instruction. Thank you so much

[@blakecaune6061]

I am genuinely astonished that they don’t have over 1 million subscribers

[@Overthought7]

What a great vid! Thanks for doing a destination game review!

[@CustomBooks]

Just bought this game #hive and really love it ~ "the tactile equivalent handbag sized dog." 7:26 ~ Love this vid. Thanks

[@dennisantle1792]

We love to see you hear in Canada ! We either get no sun or a lot of it lol !!

[@sunderedpsyche4289]

I love how accurate the win condition is. Because when a hive wants to kill a queen bee they do so by balling her to death. This is done by surrounding her in a mass of bees, stinging and raising her body temperature until she's dead. Fun fact!... or not so fun if you're a queen bee.

[@michaeljohannsen4872]

What a great review! Thanks!!

[@alexanderbrady5486]

I enjoy the joke about not leaving Hive behind, while we are watching thanks to a camera that I assume Quinns also owns, and probably costs more.

[@katie77r]

Great review, im sold and buying it asap!

[@spirosgun1]

Very nice video dude. Well done. Very good job explaining your general opinion about the game. One like from me.

[@masomase]

‘You want to be locked away with it.’ Purchasing this for 2 weeks hotel quarantine with my partner. Hope you’re right about that Quinns!

[@FasFas160]

how was it?

[@faxanadu13]

Super amusing video of a game that I own in the original and in pocket sized since it came out. Watched this video twice already and agree 100% with your opinions.

[@brianarndt4445]

I love the Stan Smith’s Quinn!! I had a pair around 1980 and they got better with age. My wife got me a pair a year or so ago and I’m still breaking them in!

[@kongolandwalker]

"Hive takes just 20' " . But you can play chess with same speed.

[@harktheharold]

"I've actually got nothing against people who like to measure their chessticles"

[@MozilloGames]

You could say that at the end you were... S-Quinn-ting. I'll see myself out.

[@kevinriddle3611]

what about the pillbug? "Roly Poly" here in the US yes, the ladybird beetle!!

[@ludwigvannormayenn8657]

Great video :D Thanks alot for the review

[@Your2ndPlanB]

What's that arpeggiated synth music from?

[@clancybundy4887]

Hive reminds me of this game we played in Europe. That I don’t recall. Its like connect four or tic tac toe and chess had a baby. And its from a fantasy novel series ...

[@Jokubasinc]

Tak, maybe?

[@Alorand]

What I got out of this video is that you must remember to both buy Hive and take it with you to another country, so that you get the right 'Hive in a foreign prison' experience.

[@Syranur]

Wow really, review in India! This guy is crazy. He got is point, this game is easy to travel with!

[@undne9380]

This video was amazing that ant line killed me! I actually laughed aloud

[@evilontoast7266]

"Gold doesn't react with anything" my inner chemist just died

[@niallreid7664]

Yeah I was like, “wait, what?”

[@dwm1011]

Ryan Clarke-Byrne i*

[@evilontoast7266]

dwm1011 what? Where?

[@DahVoozel]

Noble metal.

[@brandonbrown6922]

It reacts with ALMOST nothing. Happy?

[@Ant-445]

Does Hive pocket come with all the pieces? I mean even with: Mosquito, Lady Bug, Pillbug

[@FrascoAdAbstra]

With mosquito and ladybug only, but soon will be sold with the pillbug too, stay tuned :)

[@Ant-445]

@@FrascoAdAbstra:thank you :)

[@Nain1982]

SUSD next review: Jaipur? A trip to India for that sole purpose...so passionate! :)

[@Transplanar]

Looks like Hive Pocket doesn't come with the Pillbug expansion. Any thoughts on that one? From what I read it seems like it changes the game quite a bit.

[@N2HeroProductions]

It does not, the Pillbug comes in none of the versions. Its defiantly a powerful piece for offensive or defensive moves. Its great to place next your queen bee to be able to escape.

[@AhJong0]

Brilliant, I’ve had full Hive for a while but haven’t gone to it in a while. Will look back now.

[@dutch_blades]

Have you checked out the Pillbug expansion?

[@paschalisantoniou974]

You should review Shogi 😁

[@leo2791]

Can some one tell me what the last part of the question @9:54 was? "is it the same "

[@Pariah76]

"Is it the same worldwide?"

[@frankiethefrank]

What's better than Chess? Go. There. Next question?

[@kenny7593]

Not being able to place the lady bug was karma for calling them lady birds.

[@ishaanshrivastava8671]

9:25 that my brother there xD

[@danhyde7501]

you should try tantrix for more hexagonal mischief (that and hive are some of the only board games i have ever enjoyed)

[@Halfbakealaskan]

1:16 that fetty wap joke was genius

[@sawyer3933]

How can anythink last longer than shut up & sit down? Shut up & Sit Down will last forever

[@kudosbudo]

I love this game. Its just a pure puzzle and its wonderful to try and work out. And yes its better than chess. Also, buy the extra pieces, the pillbug adds an incredible defensive/offensive piece.