Fire Stampede 2 (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards: Slot Overview 

Pragmatic Play, together with partner Wild Streak Gaming, revisits its Connect & Collect system with Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards, the follow-up to 2023’s Fire Stampede. This sequel doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—at first glance, the layout and overall experience echo the original closely—but it aims to refine a formula that clearly resonated with players the first time around. The new entry keeps the blazing bison mascot front-and-center, offering a mixture of money awards, dynamic connections, and all-ways-style payouts across a slightly unconventional 6×5 grid. 

Thematically, the game shifts from rocky desert canyons to grassy plains dotted with distant mountains, but the core idea remains instantly recognizable. The action still revolves around creating symbol chains that snake their way across the grid to reach special prize positions, triggering a burst of possible rewards. And while the connective gameplay was already unique on release, Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards builds upon it with new mechanics, expanded payout ceilings, and a little more volatility. 

With 1,875 ways to win, a high-volatility math model, and a strong 96.51% RTP (where available), the sequel positions itself as an upgraded but familiar experience—one that leans heavily on its Connect & Collect identity while raising the max win potential to a sizable 8,300× the bet. Whether the additions are enough to truly elevate the game above the original is the big question, but what’s here is certainly crafted for players who enjoy linked-symbol action and progressive-style prize systems.

Design and Graphics 

The presentation in Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards holds true to Wild Streak Gaming’s recognizable aesthetic style. The visuals are bright, saturated, and deliberately bold, leaning into a faux-land-and-sunset theme. The bison stands proudly beside the reels in a fiery portrait that commands attention, glowing with electric energy whenever notable events trigger. The grid itself combines rustic wooden paneling with dynamic effects, maintaining a look that feels slightly arcade-like but polished.Symbol design similarly follows the team’s established patterns: 

Low pays: 9–A card ranks, rendered with subtle texturing. 

Mid pays: cacti, birds, gold nuggets, and bison silhouettes with slightly animated flares. 

Special symbols: Connect & Collect, award icons, respins, free spins markers, and more. 

This is a vibrant game—almost aggressively so. The high contrast between the glowing rewards and the darker board helps clarity, and the highlighted symbols during connection chains create satisfying visual pathways. The style may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer modern minimalism, but fans of bold, flashy slot visuals will feel right at home.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The sequel uses a 6×5 reelset, but with a twist: the upper and lower positions on the third reel and the entirety of the rightmost reel can only house award symbols. This layout results in exactly 1,875 ways instead of the higher counts associated with standard ways setups. 

Wins occur when adjacent symbols land from left to right, with payouts for 5-of-a-kind combinations ranging from 0.4× to 0.6× for royals and 1× to 4× for premium symbols. These values are modest, but that’s intentional—the bulk of potential lies in the Connect & Collect system. 

Connect & Collect Core Mechanic 

This is the heart of the game. Connect & Collect symbols land across the board and connect horizontally or vertically starting from the leftmost reel. When the chain reaches a special position on reel 3 or the rightmost reel, players win the corresponding highlighted award. These awards vary widely and include: 

Respins 

Money Values (2×–20× or 10×–200× depending on reel) 

Add Wilds 

Free Spins (7–25) 

Mystery Prizes (Minors, Majors, Grand with multipliers) 

Stampede Awards (adds highest value symbols to the grid) 

Minor Awards (25×) 

The chaining mechanic is what gives the game its unique flavor—players are always hoping symbol paths connect across the reels without interruption. This system ensures even the base game retains a sense of forward momentum and anticipation.

Sound and Music 

Audio plays a significant role in delivering the game’s energetic style. Expect a mix of classic Western adventure tones with crackling fire effects and high-pitched alert sounds whenever a chain is close to forming. The slot doesn’t lean into cinematic scoring; instead, it favors rhythmic, upbeat audio cues that pair well with the fast-paced, connection-based gameplay. 

During free spins and major awards, the soundtrack intensifies, adding metallic clinks for prize triggers and deeper rumbles for multiplier wilds. It’s not a soundtrack you’ll remember after closing the game, but it does its job well—enhancing tension and giving the grid’s reactions extra impact.

Bonus Features 

Connect & Collect Awards 

The system includes a diverse set of rewards:Respins give players a new shot at creating chains, locking Connect & Collect symbols while respinning all others. 

Money Values appear frequently and create consistent low-range payouts. 

Mystery Prizes include the big jackpots: 25× Minor, 200× Major, 350×–500×, and even the 4,000× Grand, sometimes doubled by multipliers. 

Add Wilds introduces random wild symbols during both base and bonus rounds. 

Stampede awards add high-value symbols randomly to the grid. 

Free Spins 

Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters awards 7, 10, or 15 free spins plus a 2× bonus payout. Any additional free spins obtained through Connect & Collect chains are added on top. Wilds are upgraded during free spins—they appear with 2× or 3× multipliers, and if multiple wilds join the same win, they combine. 

Random awards can also trigger during free spins, adding more volatility and unpredictability. 

Feature BuyFor 100× the bet, players can buy an instant free-spins trigger. This guarantees a connection chain that reaches one of the free spins special positions on reel 3 and at least one free-spins position on the rightmost reel.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards offers: 

Bet Range: €0.10 to €250 

RTP: 96.51% (top configuration) 

Hit Frequency: 1 in 3.77 

Free Spins Frequency: 1 in 137.77 

Volatility: High (5/5) 

Max Win: 8,300× 

Max Win Probability: 1 in 57,471,264 

The max win almost doubles the potential of the original game, giving players a respectable top-end incentive. The volatility is extremely high, meaning droughts can be long, but when wins connect through special positions or multiplier wild chains, the results can be significant.

Conclusion 

Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards isn’t a revolution—it’s a refinement. The visual shift to a greener environment, the increased win cap, the expanded variety of awards, and the improved wild multipliers during free spins all work together to polish the system established in the first game. Players who loved the original will almost certainly enjoy this one, as it keeps the same connective gameplay but pushes the potential further. 

However, newcomers might feel the underlying structure is slightly chaotic, even overwhelming at first. The reward symbols, chain rules, and special positions require a learning curve, but once mastered, the game delivers a distinct flow not found in many other slots. 

In the end, Fire Stampede 2 Linked Awards is a sequel built for fans—bigger, brighter, and hotter than before. Players who appreciate innovative connection mechanics and escalating award chains will likely find this stampede worth running with.