Play Hint Hive online
Hint Hive is an original association word-guessing arcade game: Lumen the firefly detective collects clue words and you guess the word that connects them.
Each puzzle shows one free clue. Reveal up to 5 more clues - but every extra clue costs 20 potential points, so sharp guesses pay more.
12 hand-written puzzles per run, 75 seconds each, 3 strikes and the run is over. All clue sets, art and Web Audio sound are original.
How to control Hint Hive
- Type: answer box (letters only)
- Submit guess: Enter or GUESS button
- Reveal clue: MORE CLUE button
- Restart: R
- Mute: M
How to play
- 1
Read the revealed clue words and guess the single word they all point to.
- 2
Type your answer in the box and press Enter or GUESS.
- 3
Need more help? MORE CLUE reveals another clue (max 6), each extra clue costs 20 potential points.
- 4
A wrong guess or an expired 75-second timer costs one strike - 3 strikes ends the run.
- 5
Solve all 12 puzzles before that to win.
Tips for a better run
Guess early when you're confident - a first-clue solve is worth 100 points, a sixth-clue solve only 20.
Wrong guesses cost strikes, so only guess when you have a real candidate - don't brute-force the alphabet.
The clues point at the same idea from different angles; read all revealed clues together before committing.
Timer pressure is real at 75 seconds, but a skipped puzzle (0 points) is better than a third strike.
Your best score is saved in the browser - chase it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hint Hive a copy of an existing word game?
No. Hint Hive only borrows the general idea of association word guessing. Lumen the firefly detective, the 12 hand-written clue sets, the reveal-for-points scoring, the canvas art and the Web Audio sounds are all original work created for this game.
How do I submit a guess?
Type your guess in the answer box and press Enter or the GUESS button. Letters only - spaces and punctuation are ignored.
Should I reveal clues or guess early?
The first clue is free. Each extra clue you reveal costs 20 potential points: a first-clue solve is worth 100, a sixth-clue solve is worth 20. Solving with fewer clues is always better.
How do I lose?
3 strikes ends the run - a wrong guess or letting the 75-second timer run out both cost one strike. Solve or skip all 12 puzzles before that to win.
