Dark Summoning (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Dark Summoning: Slot Overview

Hacksaw Gaming, known for its diversity in slot themes, dives into darker realms with Dark Summoning, an online slot exuding mystery, eerie charm, and adrenaline-pumping gameplay. The game’s theme pulls players into an ominous underworld, visually represented by gothic design, haunting characters, and symbols reminiscent of ancient rituals. It’s not your typical feel-good slot but instead caters to those who enjoy a sinister atmosphere paired with exciting mechanics.

This slot features a 5-reel, 6-row layout, offering 24 paylines for players to explore. With an RTP of 96.36% and high volatility (4/5), Dark Summoning is perfect for risk-takers seeking big rewards. The game boasts a maximum win potential of 10,666x your stake, while its hit frequency of 29% ensures consistent engagement. Available bets range from 0.10 to 100 credits, making it suitable for both cautious players and high rollers. Its release on December 7, 2023, further solidifies Hacksaw Gaming’s commitment to creating distinctive, high-quality slots.

Design and Graphics

Dark Summoning’s visuals stand out as one of its strongest elements. Hacksaw Gaming has carefully crafted an atmosphere that feels truly immersive, with an art style that leans heavily into dark fantasy. The reels are set within a desolate, rock-filled crypt surrounded by glowing symbols, fiery tones, and menacing characters that actively react to your gameplay.

On one side of the reels, a hooded figure looms ominously, while a demon-like creature watches on from the other, creating a palpable sense of unease. The subtle animations, flickering lights, and glowing symbols elevate the aesthetic appeal, ensuring that the game’s graphics contribute to its theme of malevolence. Even smaller details, like the unique design of the high-paying symbols (goat faces, pyramids, and crows), highlight the effort Hacksaw Gaming has put into the visuals.

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, Dark Summoning provides familiar slot gameplay enhanced with unique features to keep players hooked. Wins are achieved through combinations of 3 to 5 matching symbols starting from the leftmost reel. The low-paying symbols consist of standard card ranks (10 through Ace), while high-paying symbols include creepy imagery like crows, goat faces, and scissors. Landing a winning line with high-value symbols can pay between 2.5x to 10x the bet, while a 5-symbol line of wilds can yield a lucrative 30x the bet.

The slot incorporates a super cascade mechanism, ensuring that when a winning combination hits, the symbols involved are removed and replaced by new symbols. This cascading feature allows players to land consecutive wins in a single spin, increasing the excitement and opportunities for payouts.

The wild multiplier system adds another layer of excitement. Two wild types exist—blue and red. When wilds are part of a win, they apply multipliers ranging from x2 to x100. This feature shines during bonus rounds, where wilds play a pivotal role in boosting payouts.

Sound and Music

Dark Summoning’s soundscape is another element that enhances the overall gaming experience. The soundtrack is a brooding, ambient tune that perfectly complements the ominous visuals. It starts subtly, building tension with every spin, and escalates when players trigger significant events like cascading wins or bonuses.

Although immersive, the sound effects may feel a bit repetitive over time, particularly the beeping sounds accompanying symbol transformations. These moments slightly disrupt the otherwise eerie atmosphere but don’t detract significantly from the experience.

Bonus Features

Dark Summoning includes several thrilling features and bonus rounds that keep players engaged:

Super Cascade Mechanism

This feature ensures that after every winning combination, the symbols involved disappear, creating room for new symbols. It’s a great way to chain multiple wins in one spin.

Wild Multipliers

Both blue and red wilds can substitute for any symbol, and their multiplier values (ranging from x2 to x100) are added to the total payout. These wild multipliers are especially valuable during the bonus rounds.

Will of the Order

This feature activates when an Order symbol lands. The symbol transforms into wilds and replaces 1 to 9 additional symbols. The Will of the Order provides excellent payout potential and adds unpredictability to the base game.

Unholy Summoning

When an Unholy symbol lands in a winning combination, it’s collected for use in the bonus game. If three Unholy symbols land simultaneously, they’re immediately collected, setting up bonus round opportunities.

Trial by Hellfire Bonus

Landing 3 Unholy symbols triggers 10 free spins in this feature. During the round, winning positions are marked with “Hellfire,” which replaces symbols with wilds in subsequent cascades. This dynamic feature adds intense moments of anticipation.

Rise to Salvation Bonus

This bonus is triggered by collecting 3 Unholy symbols and an Order symbol in a single game round. During this round, cascading symbols ascend upward rather than falling. Players can land Global Multiplier Lost Souls (adding x2 to x100 to multipliers) or Cash Prize Lost Souls (paying out 10 to 666 times the bet). The bonus ends only after non-winning spins or the collection of all Lost Souls.

Bonus Buy Options

For players who prefer direct access to the action, Dark Summoning offers multiple buy-in options:

• BonusHunt FeatureSpins (3x the bet) for higher chances of triggering bonuses.
• Trial by Hellfire Bonus (130x the bet) for instant free spins with Hellfire features.
• Rise to Salvation Bonus (250x the bet) for a high-stakes free spins round with ascending symbols.

Betting Options and Payouts

Dark Summoning accommodates a wide range of players with its betting range of 0.10 to 100 credits per spin. This flexibility makes the game accessible to newcomers and veterans alike. With a max win potential of 10,666x, the rewards can be monumental for those lucky enough to reach the game’s upper limits.

The slot’s RTP varies based on the version being played, with the highest being 96.36%. This, combined with its high volatility, means that while big wins are possible, they may take time and patience to achieve. Bonus buys allow players to bypass the grind, though they come with additional costs.

Conclusion

Dark Summoning by Hacksaw Gaming is a visually striking slot that successfully blends dark, gothic aesthetics with innovative gameplay. Its high-quality design, combined with unique features like cascading symbols, wild multipliers, and layered bonus rounds, ensures players have an engaging experience.

The Trial by Hellfire and Rise to Salvation bonuses are standout highlights, providing the potential for massive payouts while maintaining suspenseful gameplay. However, its high volatility and occasional repetitive sound effects may not suit every player. That said, the game’s unique theme and thrilling mechanics make it a worthy addition to Hacksaw Gaming’s diverse portfolio.

Whether you’re a fan of dark fantasy or simply looking for a high-potential slot, Dark Summoning delivers an experience that’s equal parts eerie and rewarding. With its 10,666x max win, ambitious bonus rounds, and atmospheric design, this slot stands as a testament to Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to push creative boundaries while catering to adventurous players.