Hive

Hive
File:08F20C1E-3FB3-47BB-9009-89108EBC090C.jpeg
Debut:	MADNESS: Project Nexus
Appearances:	1 (game only)

Hive is a boss character featured in the game MADNESS: Project Nexus.

Hive is a self-replicating Mag Agent with numerous holes in its body from which enemies crawl out of. From its concept art, it is force-fed and restrained (to what or whom is unknown), and what is presumed to be its face depicts torment.

Description

The Hive appears as the boss of the level Shakedown, in a large room as the Nexus Core install its massive backpack and shoulder-mounted rocket launchers. While these cybernetics slow the Hive to a crawl, they also give it devastating periodic attacks.

Strategy

As the Hive attacks it will lose power; the glowing green vents on its backpack will change to yellow, then red, then shut off completely for several seconds. Then the Hive will stand back up and lumber to a wall socket, jamming its crutches into the power grid to recharge, before starting its cycle over again. As the Hive recharges, five Nexus Core Agents will rappel into the room through the windows; this squad is always carrying several firearms split among the FAMAS, Mossberg 500, G36, and P90, along with two melee weapons, to keep the player restocked.

The Hive's first attack, and most dangerous, is to lock onto Dr. Christoff and Deimos with its rocket launchers (notably, if either character is downed, only one rocket launcher will lock onto the remaining character). The rockets blast radius is displayed with glowing red circles, which will track the player with alarming efficiency unless the player can fake the missiles out. After the Hive has lost two Corpus blocks, each launcher will fire two missiles simultaneously, making mistakes even more painful.

The Hive's signature attack — and the one most likely to drain the last of its power — is to open its armor to spew several Hive Slugs into the arena. The Hive's armor will remain open after this, even on the rare occasion it has some power left afterward.

After losing its first Corpus block, the Hive will add a new attack to its cycle before the spawning: firing several missiles into the air to rain down from above. While these missiles cannot track the player and have smaller blast radius, they collectively cover more of the field. Doubly so as the Hive loses more Corpus blocks and even fires more missiles per attack.

The Hive can swipe at the player with its crutches, a mercifully slow and weak attack compared to its explosive payload. In addition, while the Hive's armor opens during its recharge, it also generates a slow-moving shockwave of electricity around itself to stun a greedy player.

Most importantly, the Hive has incredible resistance against bullet weapons. Even with the never-ending supply from the Agents, it takes hundreds of rounds to break a single Corpus block. Melee attacks are far more efficient. Be warned that when a Corpus block breaks, the Hive will fire two missiles directly in front of itself.

Gallery

• Concept art

  Concept art

• Revised concept art

  Revised concept art

• The Hiveslugs that the Hive summons

  The Hiveslugs that the Hive summons