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The Hive similar games & best alternatives

The Hive

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, DOS • 2016

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Quick resume

The Hive is a strategy game with RPG elements where you assume command as the insectoid hivemind. Build and expand your underground colony, harvest resources, and evolve your swarm using DNA. Will you survive in this hostile yet beautiful underworld?

Global score

73/100

Genres

Indie, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique insectoid sci-fi setting
    • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
    • Unit customization and rpg elements
    • Engaging story-driven campaign
    • Active developer support and updates

    Cons

    • Limited content and unit/building variety
    • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
    • Some bugs and ui issues
    • No save feature during missions
    • Difficulty spikes and pacing problems

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players have freedom to choose factions, units, and strategies; some routine base building but overall player-directed actions"

      Capsule for 8-Bit Hordes 8-Bit Hordes

      "Players have freedom to build bases, choose unit compositions, and decide strategies, though within RTS constraints."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "Combat is simple hack and slash with combos, RTS elements require some multitasking and strategy but are considered clunky and sometimes boring."

      Capsule for Brutal Legend Brutal Legend

      "Game involves RTS skill and some RPG elements like unit leveling and item management, but overall combat and strategy depth is moderate and sometimes simplistic."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

      "No multiplayer or ranked modes; gameplay is focused on solo progression and personal goals without player comparison."

      Capsule for Torchlight Torchlight

      "No multiplayer or ranked modes; focus is on single-player campaign and personal progression without social comparison."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      1

      "Players report short play sessions with some replay interest due to story and scares, but limited content and bugs reduce long-term engagement."

      Capsule for The Backrooms 1998 - Found Footage Survival Horror Game The Backrooms 1998 - Found Footage Survival Horror Game

      "Players report some attachment due to story and atmosphere, but limited content and lack of save features reduce long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based gameplay."

      Capsule for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based gameplay."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Players can customize base layout and strategy, but unit/building types and upgrades are limited in early access."

      Capsule for Age of Darkness: Final Stand Age of Darkness: Final Stand

      "Players can customize units with items and DNA upgrades, and choose unit builds, but base building and unit types are limited."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of player dominance over others; single-player focus with no PvP or social power dynamics."

      Capsule for DOOM: The Dark Ages DOOM: The Dark Ages

      "No evidence of player dominance over others; single-player focus with no PvP or social hierarchy."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "The immersive sci-fi story, alien worlds, and atmospheric gameplay provide strong real-life escape and distraction."

      Capsule for Classic Marathon 2 Classic Marathon 2

      "Immersive alien world, story-driven gameplay, and atmospheric design provide strong escape from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Atomic Heart Atomic Heart

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      2

      "Some experimentation with building and different heroes/abilities, but overall gameplay is repetitive."

      Capsule for 1v1.LOL - Battle Royale Game 1v1.LOL - Battle Royale Game

      "Some experimentation with unit builds, item usage, and puzzle solving, but overall gameplay is somewhat repetitive."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore alien environments and discover resources and story elements, though exploration is limited and guided."

      Capsule for The Alters The Alters

      "Players explore detailed alien environments, uncover puzzles, and find hidden items, though maps are limited in number."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Customization of weapons, skills, and character upgrades allows some personal expression, but no avatar personalization or cosmetic-only modifications noted."

      Capsule for Ghost 1.0 Ghost 1.0

      "Unit customization via equipment and DNA upgrades allows some self-expression, but no avatar personalization or cosmetic changes."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Highly imaginative sci-fi setting with alien worlds, strange creatures, and surreal narrative."

      Capsule for Vangers Vangers

      "Strong fantasy and sci-fi setting with insectoid aliens, mythical creatures, and imaginative story elements."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No multiplayer or social community features; gameplay is solitary."

      Capsule for Kingdom Rush Vengeance - Tower Defense Kingdom Rush Vengeance - Tower Defense

      "No multiplayer or social community features; gameplay is solitary."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills and upgrade units, learning game mechanics and improving performance."

      Capsule for Bot Wars Bot Wars

      "Players develop units through leveling and upgrades, and learn game mechanics over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for Faeria Faeria

      "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during missions; not designed for casual or background play."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

      "Requires focused attention during missions; no casual or background play indicated."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

      Capsule for The Room VR: A Dark Matter The Room VR: A Dark Matter

      "No social or emotional relationship building; single-player experience."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead and manage their army and base, making strategic decisions and directing units."

      Capsule for Home Wars Home Wars

      "Players lead and manage their insectoid army and base, making strategic decisions."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong progression through leveling, DNA upgrades, and unlocking new abilities and levels."

      Capsule for Sparkle 3 Genesis Sparkle 3 Genesis

      "Strong progression through unlocking units, collecting items, and upgrading via DNA."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Atmospheric and emotional experience with some tension but overall balanced pacing."

      Capsule for Angels of Death Angels of Death

      "Generally moderate pacing with some tension spikes; atmosphere is immersive but some difficulty spikes create stress."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Vibrant visuals, sound design, and alien environments provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment."

      Capsule for Beyond Contact Beyond Contact

      "Visuals, sound, and music create engaging sensory experience with alien environments and unit designs."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

      Capsule for Crying Suns Crying Suns

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Campaigns have narrative elements and mission briefings with voice acting, providing some story immersion."

      Capsule for Warfare Legacy Collection Warfare Legacy Collection

      "Story-driven campaign with narrative elements and voice acting, though story depth and clarity are mixed."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Basic RTS strategy with unit management and tactical decisions, though simplified compared to hardcore RTS."

      Capsule for Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge Zombie Tycoon 2: Brainhov's Revenge

      "Basic RTS strategy with resource management and unit control; lacks deep strategic complexity."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some tension in challenging missions, but overall gameplay is predictable and low risk."

      Capsule for Wooden Battles Wooden Battles

      "Some challenge and tension in later missions, but overall gameplay is moderate and predictable."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      1

      "Mixed opinions on value due to early access state; many see it as a good investment for future content."

      Capsule for Wreckfest 2 Wreckfest 2

      "Mixed player opinions on value; early access state limits content but potential and updates add perceived value."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Combat and destruction of enemy units and bases are core gameplay elements."

      Capsule for Age of Steel: Recharge Age of Steel: Recharge

      "Combat and destruction of enemy units and bases are core gameplay elements."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must manage resources and defend against threats to survive and progress."

      Capsule for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

      "Players must manage resources and defend against threats to survive and progress."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Expression, Violence.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026