The “Fire in the Hole” series is still going strong. Last year, Fire in the Hole 2 made a big splash in the slot game industry with its explosive gameplay. Now, more than a year later, Nolimit City has released Fire in the Hole 3.
It’s been a long time since we last joined our fearless dwarf, and it is like the entrance to the mine has frozen shut after all this time. In Fire in the Hole 3, the atmosphere has changed — the theme is much colder, with a wintry setting that adds a new layer of mystery. As we explore the icy tunnels, we can hear distant explosions rumbling in the background.
But that’s not all — deep inside the mine, there aren’t just one but two dwarves! Might be the one familiar orange-bearded hero we all know, and the other, dark evil. It makes you also wonder: are there two of them, or has our dwarf developed to some new level being alone all this while? Come, let’s see together!
X-Bomb Wilds act as substitute symbols, replacing any symbol on the reels except for Scatters to help form winning combinations. Before the next collapse occurs, unless the Wild Mining feature is triggered, X-Bomb Wilds explode, removing all adjacent symbols. Each explosion also increases the win multiplier by the X-Bomb’s value, which then applies to the following collapse, enhancing the potential for bigger wins.
Wild Mining is triggered during the base game when 3 to 6 identical symbols align either horizontally or vertically without resulting in a win, and when there are no active X-Holes or X-Bomb Wilds on the reels. When this occurs, the matching symbols are removed and replaced with wilds, 1 wild for 3 symbols, 2 for 4, 3 for 5, and 4 for 6, placed in the central positions of the cluster. Following this, all symbols positioned above the central bar explode, excluding Scatters and Ice Buried symbols. This triggers a collapse, during which any Ice Buried symbols affected by the collapse are revealed and become active.
In the main game, Ice symbols can hide various feature symbols, such as Wilds, X-Splits, Win Multipliers, X-Hole, Scatters, or the Max symbol. These feature symbols remain inactive until an exploding X-Bomb Wild breaks their Ice block.
However, X-Split symbols can also reveal some hidden symbols (except for Win Multipliers) by splitting them. If a collapse occurs, any empty Ice blocks or Ice blocks with Win Multipliers that were affected by a split will be removed.
Win Multiplier values can range from x2 up to x100. The Max symbol is a special 2X2 symbol encased in Ice. If you manage to break all the Ice surrounding it, you win the game’s maximum payout.
The X-Hole activates when it lands on the reels, pulling in regular symbols and scattering them back in random spots as split symbols (size 1 to 3). It then disappears, triggering a collapse. Wins are paid and removed before X-Hole activates, and multiple X-Holes increase the size of split symbols.
The X-Split symbol doubles all other symbols on its reel, except Scatters, other X-Splits, and X-Holes. After activation, it becomes a regular symbol. If a collapse follows, Ice blocks affected by the split are removed.
1. Lucky Wagon Spin:
Landing 3, 4, or 5 Scatters triggers Lucky Wagon Spins with 2, 3, or 4 rows unlocked, respectively. You start with 3 spins, which reset back to 3 whenever a Coin lands. Landing 6 Scatters in the base game unlocks 4 rows and awards a Persistent Dwarf on the first spin.
During Lucky Wagon Spins, X-Hole, Dynamite, and Persistent Dynamite can be revealed from Ice blocks. The top row displays enhancers that each spin, which activate when a Coin lands directly beneath them:
•Evil Dwarf – triggers a Golden Spin, reactivating all Coins to trigger their enhancers again and increase their values.
During my 100 spins on Fire in the Hole 3, I played with a steady 1x box bet and experienced an exhilarating burst of in-game mechanics throughout. Unlike its darker, grittier predecessors, this installment leans into a more dreamy, surreal atmosphere, offering a refreshing twist while maintaining the core excitement NoLimit City is known for. I was fortunate enough to land 3 scatters, triggering the Lucky Wagon Spins feature, which ultimately rewarded me with a satisfying win of €36.61. Along the way, the gamble and collect options added an extra layer of suspense and decision-making, keeping the gameplay dynamic and thoroughly engaging.
No Limit City has long been a leader in crafting immersive mining-themed slots, and its Fire in the Hole series remains one of the studio’s crown jewels. The original title exploded onto the scene in 2021, setting a high bar for chaos-driven slot mechanics.
Three years later (2024), Fire in the Hole 2 expanded the formula with features like enhanced Wild Mining, X-Split, and Buried Features—pushing the gameplay into more volatile territory.
Now, Fire in the Hole 3, released on June 3, 2025, raises the stakes once again. It brings back fan-favourite mechanics while layering on new ideas, creating a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly evolved. Ice blocks now hide multipliers reaching up to x100, transforming base game hits into thrilling moments. The X-Hole mechanic, first seen in Mental 2, makes a return—this time with the power to launch Frozen Wagon Spins during the bonus round. Adding to the madness are Persistent Dynamite and the sinister Evil Dwarf, both designed to amplify win potential and unpredictability.
A standout shift in this entry is its visual direction. Departing from the series’ traditionally dark and intense design, Fire in the Hole 3 embraces a colder, brighter aesthetic shaped by its icy setting, bringing a refreshing tone while preserving the game’s high-stakes energy.
And if that wasn’t enough, No Limit City packs the game with a wide array of buy-in options, including No Limit Boosters, Bonus Buys, and a Gamble feature, offering players multiple ways to dive into the chaos.
While the complexity may be daunting for newcomers, seasoned slot fans will appreciate the deep, layered design. With Fire in the Hole 3, No Limit City once again proves its ability to fuse innovative mechanics with bold creativity, delivering a sequel that evolves its legendary legacy.