Dread Pirate

Avast, me hearties! 'Ere be a great time to shiver those timbers, hoist the Jolly Roger and prepare to repel swabs with a yo ho h...hang on a minute; this is going to get awfully tedious if we carry on with all this daft pirate speak, isn't it? It's just so difficult to resist. Because thanks to a brilliant new board game everyone aboard the good ship Firebox has gone completely pirate potty!

Dread Pirate is a beautifully made game that will transport you back to the golden days of piracy and have you yo ho ho-ing the second you set sail. Indeed, the attention to detail is so acute, you can almost hear the clash of cutlasses, the discordant drone of squeezebox sea shanties and the squawk of circling seagulls as you work your way around the gorgeously detailed cloth treasure map.

The stunning deluxe wooden treasure chest edition and quality bookshelf set are both swashbuckling slices of adventure gaming for the entire family and feature cast metal playing ships, replica doubloons, three knucklebones (dice), pirate cards, treasure bags and treasure. (We were about to say they don't make 'em like this anymore, but obviously they do).

As you've probably guessed, the aim of the game is to become top scallywag by amassing the greatest fortune and crushing your enemies. But here's the good bit: although you can win by legitimate trading, you can also plunder booty from rival sea dogs. It goes without saying we prefer the latter cut-throat option, but whichever method you choose you're guaranteed a right rollicking voyage.

To 'set sail' simply choose a destination, roll the die and move forward. Along the way you can raid ports and ships, trade treasure, and perform various salty activities dictated by the pirate cards. Playing Dread Pirate really is a totally immersive experience as the whole game is so beautifully put together. So avast y'lily livered scurvy bilge rats, hoist yer skull and crossbones and prepare to do battle across the big ol briny with Dread Pirate! Arrr!

(Parrot, eyepatch and daft accent not included)