Born Wild (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Born Wild: Slot Overview

Hacksaw Gaming has a reputation for delivering edgy and innovative slot games, and Born Wild is no exception. A high-stakes jackpot slot with minimalist aesthetics, Born Wild combines the thrill of significant potential payouts with the simplicity of intuitive gameplay. The game takes players into a dark wilderness filled with dangerous animals and the promise of a whopping €10 million max win, making it one of the most ambitious slots from Hacksaw Gaming to date. With its 5×4 grid, 20 paylines, and high volatility, Born Wild challenges even the most seasoned players to tame its reels. However, its low RTP of 93.80% reminds us that the game’s appeal lies in its massive rewards rather than frequent wins. Let’s delve into what makes this slot a roaring success. 

Design and Graphics

Born Wild embraces a monochrome, edgy aesthetic that stands out from the colorful and flashy designs typically associated with online slots. The background features a minimalist black texture with claw marks, perfectly setting the tone for the wild theme. The symbols are sleek yet bold, with high-value icons representing ferocious animals like wolves, tigers, rhinos, cobras, and gorillas. The lower-value symbols consist of onomatopoeic animal sounds like “Howl,” “Roar,” and “Hiss,” which tie in cleverly with the game’s theme. 

Despite its simplicity, the design feels intentional and cohesive, allowing players to focus on the action-packed gameplay. Hacksaw Gaming has managed to create a slot that feels primal yet modern, with the symbols lighting up vividly during winning combinations to enhance the excitement. Overall, the design is understated yet effective, striking a balance between style and function. 

Gameplay Mechanics

Born Wild operates on a 5×4 reel grid with 20 paylines, awarding payouts for combinations of three or more matching symbols across a line. The game keeps things straightforward with its traditional mechanics but spices it up with a focus on high-value symbols and sticky wilds in bonus features. 

The wild symbol plays a crucial role by substituting for any other symbol to form winning combinations. It becomes especially valuable in the bonus features, where it turns sticky, significantly increasing the chances of hitting massive wins. High-value symbols like the lion and tiger can pay up to 250x the stake for five-of-a-kind, creating substantial opportunities for big payouts. 

The game’s high volatility ensures that payouts, while not frequent, can be massive when they do occur, especially during the bonus rounds. The focus on simplicity in the base game allows for a more accessible entry point for players while maintaining the potential for exhilarating moments. 

Sound and Music

The audio in Born Wild complements its minimalist design, with a subtle yet intense soundtrack that enhances the theme’s primal and untamed energy. Background music remains understated, allowing the sound effects to take center stage. When a winning combination lands, animalistic roars and growls add an immersive touch to the gameplay, amplifying the adrenaline rush. 

The balance between quiet anticipation and bursts of dramatic sound ensures that the gameplay remains engaging without being overwhelming. While some players may prefer a more energetic soundtrack, the restrained approach fits well with the game’s overall aesthetic. 

Bonus Features

Born Wild features two primary bonus mechanics, each designed to maximize the potential for significant wins: 

Free Spins Feature 

Landing three bear scatter symbols triggers the Free Spins Bonus, awarding 10 free spins. During this feature, all wild symbols become sticky, locking in place for the duration of the round. This mechanic creates an exhilarating chase for full reels of wilds, leading to potentially massive payouts. The feature ends when all free spins are used, or the grid fills with sticky wilds. 

Lion’s Roar Respins 

This feature is activated when three or more lion symbols land simultaneously. Respins continue as long as new lion symbols appear on the reels. Each lion symbol turns sticky, staying in place for the duration of the feature. If the entire grid fills with lion symbols, the player is awarded the max win of €10 million, an astonishing prize that sets Born Wild apart from other slots. 

For players who prefer instant access to the action, the Lion’s Roar Respins can also be purchased for 129x the stake, though this doesn’t improve the RTP, which remains at 93.78%. 

These bonus features elevate the gameplay, offering a thrilling contrast to the straightforward base game. The sticky mechanics in both features significantly increase the excitement, as players edge closer to grid-filling combinations. 

Betting Options and Payouts

Born Wild caters to a wide range of players with its betting range of €0.20 to €100 per spin. This flexibility makes it accessible to casual players while still appealing to high rollers seeking substantial rewards. The game’s high volatility and 93.80% RTP mean that players should approach it with patience and a willingness to endure stretches of dry spells in pursuit of the potentially massive payouts. 

The paytable features 10 symbols, divided into five low-paying and five high-paying icons. Low-value symbols include sound effects like “Howl” and “Hiss,” each paying 1x the stake for five-of-a-kind. The high-value symbols, featuring dangerous animals, pay significantly more, with lions and tigers offering payouts of up to 250x the stake for a full line. 

The game’s standout feature, however, is its €10 million max win, achievable during the Lion’s Roar Respins. While the odds of hitting this prize are understandably slim, it adds a level of excitement and aspiration that few other slots can match. 

Conclusion 

Born Wild is a bold and ambitious slot that exemplifies Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to create unique and thrilling gaming experiences. From its minimalist design to its focus on massive potential payouts, the game is tailor-made for players who enjoy high-stakes action. The sticky wild mechanics in the bonus features provide moments of genuine excitement, while the game’s €10 million jackpot ensures that it stands out in a crowded market. 

That said, the low RTP of 93.80% and high volatility mean that this is a slot best suited for players with a taste for risk and a bankroll to match. Those looking for frequent wins or a more forgiving gameplay experience may find Born Wild a tough challenge. However, for thrill-seekers and jackpot hunters, this slot offers an adrenaline-filled ride with the promise of life-changing rewards. 

In summary, Born Wild is a testament to Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to push boundaries and deliver games that are as exhilarating as they are unpredictable. Whether you’re chasing the jackpot or simply looking for a wild adventure, Born Wild has plenty to offer. Just be prepared to tame this untamed beast—if you can.