We are always on the look out for new games to tell you about and we are delighted to be one of the first families to tell you about Fire in the Hole from McMiller.

Fire in the Hole from McMiller {game review}

McMiller, creators of the viral sell-out sensation It’s Bananas (with 50+ million views on TikTok), have launched a brand new game, Fire in The Hole. Part card game and part dexterity game, Fire in The Hole’s gameplay centres around a large pop up ship that gets bombarded by felt cannonballs throughout the game. It’s simple enough to entertain kids 7 and over and silly enough for grown-ups too, but has the sneaky twists and turns for even the most strategy-loving gamers. We loved opening up the box…

Everything was beautifully packaged and it felt so exciting opening up the cardboard box. Every component in Fire In The Hole is 100% plastic-free and biodegradable, making it one of the most sustainable games on the market. It’s also 100% carbon-neutral, meaning all carbon emissions are offset through McMiller’s company-wide ClimatePartner certification.

Inside we found 40 playing cards and instructions, 33 fairtrade wool felt cannonballs, 4 naturally dyed eye-patches made from 100% cotton and natural rubber, 1 wooden dice and an amazing 3D pop-up ship.

We carefully opened up the game board and a beautiful pop up ship appeared before our eyes.

The idea with the game is that an evil kraken has attacked a sister ship! Thar be beggin’ ye fer help, but ye all decide to cannonball ‘em instead so ye can steal thar booty! Arrgh! Ye bunch o’ scurvy dogs So begins your life as a baddie, in the most piratey of pirate games: Fire In The Hole.

The game took minutes to set up, we read through the instructions and started our game.

The game is designed for 2-4 players and gameplay is simple: play your card – will it be a FIRE card or a SABOTAGE card? If you choose a FIRE card, roll the dice to find out if it’s an ALL FIRE or SOLO FIRE. Then… take your shot! If you choose a SABOTAGE card, take your pick from a bevy of evil tricks to infuriate your fellow pirates.

Will you release the kraken, swap yer colours, or stall ‘em with a thar she blows? First to link 4 cannonballs is the winner.

A pirate’s life is one of skill and scavenge. Yer friends may be yer enemies. My kids certainly had a lot of fun throwing their cannonballs. It was actually quite hard to land a ball where you wanted but we loved the fact you moved the board. My children were very sneaky trying to outwit each other and the pirate eye patches definitely helped them get in the mood. It’s a really fun game to play and you definitely improve the more you play. You can throw overarm, underarm and even standing up – just so long as your arm is by your side!

Essential information:

What’s inside the box: 40 playing cards and instructions, 33 fairtrade wool felt cannonballs, 4 naturally dyed eye-patches made from 100% cotton and natural rubber, 1 wooden dice, a 3D pop-up ship

Fire in the Hole is priced £29.99

Perfect for ages 7 and over

Can be played by 2-4 players

A game takes around 15 minutes

Available from the McMiller website and Amazon