Square or Hex board?

MrProper · 2011-09-28T19:19:42

I'm in early stages of game development, focusing on game design and I've already got stucked. Game is turn based with 2 players. I can't decide whether its better to use square or hexa game board. Both have its pros and cons. I've also made small list of them. Feel free to correct me or add some new. I feel like Hex board might be good choice, but on the other hand you can't go wrong with good old square board. Square: + classic + 8 surrounding tiles + easy to understand +- harder to master - old, looks boring Hex: + cool + strategy part seems more fun to me + board feels bigger +- looks more complicated then square, but I believe it's way easier to master - 6 surrounding tiles - harder to understand - people aren't very familiar with this option

Game Design and Theory Game Design

Started by MrProper July 19, 2011 09:23 AM

22 comments, last by MashesButtons 12 years, 6 months ago

FLeBlanc

3,142

September 21, 2011 10:20 PM

I prefer square, never got into many games just because they were hexa, I think I just don't like the aesthetic of it, with no regard to actual gameplay impacts. Besides, I still consider Chess to be one of the most interesting games and it was on a square grid, so, to me, an idea would have to be 'undoable' on square and REQUIRE hexa to use it.

Hexagonal chess

Orymus

156

September 21, 2011 11:10 PM

I didn't mean it was impossible, obviously ;)

The fact you were there before they invented the wheel doesn't make you any better than the wheel nor does it entitle you to claim property over the wheel. Being there at the right time just isn't enough, you need to take part into it.

I have a blog!

TheBuzzSaw

143

September 28, 2011 02:52 PM

I definitely favor hex. The zig zag "problem" is one thing you have to work around, sure, but I find it a mere annoyance compared to the issues with squares. Squares primary advantage is that it is simple to understand and built art around. However, it is difficult to address the distance problems. With squares, you either have to allow diagonal movement (faster than the other directions) or disallow it (now you're down to 4 directions as opposed to hexagon's 6).

Everyone else has pretty much said all this... but I vote hex.