Ancient Paws (Bullshark Games) Slot Review

Ancient Paws: Slot Overview 

Combining adorable canine charisma with a classic archaeological adventure theme, Ancient Paws from Bullshark Games takes players on a paws-itively thrilling expedition. Influenced by the likes of Hacksaw Gaming and NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest, this title channels the spirit of discovery through a 5×4 slot format with 14 paylines, volatile math, and a feature-rich gameplay style. Ancient Paws is very much in the mold of contemporary multiplier-based slots, featuring expanding wilds, sticky mechanics, and a solid bonus round—all wrapped in a family-friendly, cartoonish style. 

Set against a jungle temple backdrop, the game throws players into a world where a dog dons the fedora of a fearless explorer. But don’t let the playful aesthetic fool you—this slot comes with serious winning potential, offering a top payout of 15,000x the stake and a 96.16% RTP. It’s cute on the outside, wild at heart, and definitely ready to bite into your balance if you’re not paying attention.

Design and Graphics 

Bullshark Games have gone for a clean, animated style in Ancient Paws, with chunky stone symbols, polished UI, and smooth transitions. The slot board is nestled inside a jungle temple, with fire-lit torches and ancient statues creating a cozy tomb-raiding atmosphere. While it leans heavily into the cartoon aesthetic, the design choices remain tight and cohesive. The main character—a cheerful dog with explorer attire—is prominently featured and animated throughout gameplay, adding a sense of narrative progression. The visuals don’t push boundaries, but they are detailed enough to be engaging and deliver a polished, professional finish. Special attention is given to the symbols, which range from simple playing card icons to theme-specific items like compasses, binoculars, explorer hats, and lamps.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Beneath the charming visuals lies a medium-high volatility machine with serious bite. Ancient Paws uses a 5-reel, 4-row layout with 14 paylines, a relatively tight setup that still manages to leave space for varied mechanics. 

Core gameplay revolves around Expanding Wild symbols—both Silver and Golden versions—which can cover partial or full reels. These wilds don’t just expand; they come with random multipliers ranging from x2 to x100, dramatically enhancing win potential. 

Key to the game’s excitement is the Multiplier Adder Symbol, which drops on top of expanding wilds and boosts their multipliers by 1 to 3 steps. This feature is especially effective when two or more expanding wilds land together, merging into a single, fully stacked wild with all multipliers combined. This mechanic forms the backbone of both base game hits and bonus potential.

Sound and Music 

Sound design in Ancient Paws is competent and thematic, enhancing the adventurous vibe without going overboard. Tribal drums, distant howls, and ambient jungle effects give the game atmosphere without becoming distracting. 

During free spins, the music swells into a more dramatic tone, with extra emphasis placed on reel animations and symbol merges. Sound cues effectively signal the arrival of expanding wilds or multipliers, providing clear feedback and building anticipation during tense moments. It’s not the most groundbreaking audio, but it’s tonally appropriate and helps immerse players in the setting.

Bonus Features

Trail of Treats 

The central bonus round in Ancient Paws is the Trail of Treats, triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters, which awards 8, 10, or 12 free spins, respectively. If triggered with 5 scatters, the first spin guarantees at least one Expanding Wild. 

Once inside the feature, the real fun begins. Expanding Wilds become persistent, sticking around until the end of the feature while shifting to a new position with every spin. This roaming behavior opens the door to frequent merges and massive multiplier stacking. Each additional scatter that lands during the round awards +1 extra free spin, extending gameplay and enhancing win potential. 

Expanding Wild reels that land on the same reel merge into a single stacked wild, combining their multipliers. This can lead to moments of explosive payout potential, especially with a little help from the Multiplier Adder Symbol. 

Feature Buys

Players who want to skip the base game grind can access three types of Bonus Buys: BonusHunt FeatureSpins (3x bet): Spins that are 5x more likely to trigger the Trail of Treats bonus. 

Paw-tential Riches FeatureSpins (50x bet): Guarantees at least two Expanding Wilds. 

Scatter Buy (150x bet): Instantly triggers the Trail of Treats with 8, 10, or 12 scatters. 

The tiered buy options are a welcome touch, offering flexibility for casual and hardcore players alike. Whether you’re grinding it out naturally or splurging for instant action, there’s a path for everyone to explore the feature.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Ancient Paws allows players to wager from €0.10 to €100 per spin, catering to a wide range of budgets. The 96.16% RTP is competitive for a slot with this level of feature density, and the hit frequency of 26.35% suggests fairly regular returns throughout sessions. 

Payout values are modest in the base game: low-tier card symbols award 0.3x to 0.5x, while premium symbols like binoculars and compasses pay up to 2x for 5-of-a-kind. The game’s major potential comes from multipliers and merged wilds rather than base symbol values. 

The crown jewel is the 15,000x max win, achievable in both base and bonus modes, though likely more accessible in the feature thanks to sticky mechanics and compound multipliers. While high, the top payout feels grounded and believable due to the slot’s stacking potential.

Conclusion 

Ancient Paws is a refreshingly wholesome addition to the multiplier slot genre. With a likeable mascot, clear mechanics, and impactful features, Bullshark Games has delivered a title that blends charm with intensity. It borrows familiar ideas—roaming wilds, multiplier stacking, and sticky reels—but applies them in ways that feel balanced and entertaining. 

The expanding wilds, in particular, offer strong engagement, both in how they grow and in how they interact with each other. The merging mechanic is a clever twist that introduces a bit of volatility and strategy, as you wait for reels to align for that perfect storm of multipliers. 

Of course, the game is not without its drawbacks. The base game can feel a bit tame, especially without frequent wilds, and the design—while clean—isn’t the most adventurous. Still, for players who enjoy Hacksaw-style volatility, but with a cuter wrapper, Ancient Paws hits the mark. 

With its top-tier potential and doggone charming delivery, Ancient Paws is more than just a novelty. It’s a confident step forward for Bullshark Games—one that deserves a spot on the radar for fans of high-risk, high-reward slots with personality.