Hand of Anubis (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Hand of Anubis: Slot Overview 

“Hand of Anubis” by Hacksaw Gaming breaks away from the typical Egyptian-themed slot tropes, replacing golden pyramids and pharaohs with a dark and brooding interpretation of the afterlife. Centered on Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, this slot offers an immersive and intense gaming experience. Set on a 5×6 grid with a cluster pays mechanism, the game employs a high volatility model rated 5/5 and features an impressive maximum win of 10,000x the bet. Released on April 21, 2022, this visually arresting and feature-rich game caters to players seeking a more ominous and challenging slot experience. 

With an RTP range that caps at 96.24% and a hit frequency of 36%, Hand of Anubis is not for the faint of heart. Instead, it offers significant win potential alongside visually stunning graphics and innovative gameplay, which is what we’ll explore in this review. 

Design and Graphics 

Hacksaw Gaming has taken the visual theme to an extraordinary level. The game’s design steers clear of the vibrant golds and sunny vistas typically associated with Egyptian slots. Instead, it plunges players into a grim underworld where steely jackal-headed gods dominate a shadowy and foreboding environment. 

The backdrop, drenched in dark tones, includes haunting depictions of pyramids and cryptic symbols glowing with eerie neon highlights. The two towering statues of Anubis on either side of the grid create a menacing ambiance that sets the mood for the game. The symbols on the reels include a mix of low-value card ranks (10-A) and high-value Egyptian-style relics adorned with gems. This sinister aesthetic is supported by smooth animations, with glowing effects lighting up the symbols during cluster wins and cascading actions. 

Hacksaw’s use of an almost monochromatic palette with flashes of color provides a visually striking contrast, emphasizing the grim nature of the slot. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

Hand of Anubis uses a cluster pays mechanism, rewarding players when at least five matching symbols form a cluster either vertically or horizontally. Cascading wins add extra excitement, as winning clusters disappear, allowing new symbols to drop into their place, potentially creating additional wins within a single spin. 

The gameplay involves a balanced mix of standard spins and exciting features that rely heavily on progressive multipliers and unique wild mechanics. Among these features are the Soul Orbs, which add layers of multiplier effects. The red Soul Orb increases the multiplier by +1 for every symbol in a winning cluster, while the blue Soul Orb adds +1 per cascade. These multipliers stack, providing thrilling win potential as clusters build momentum. 

With volatility rated as high as 5/5, players can expect dry spells, but the game compensates for this with thrilling moments of explosive payouts. 

Sound and Music

The audio design is a key contributor to the immersive experience in Hand of Anubis. The soundtrack is a brooding, atmospheric composition, blending ominous chants and deep percussive beats that enhance the dark theme. During spins, the music remains subdued, adding tension, but ramps up dramatically during significant events like bonus rounds or major cluster wins. 

Sound effects are equally fitting, with reverberating clangs and mystical chimes accompanying cascading wins or Soul Orb activations. Hacksaw Gaming has clearly invested in crafting an auditory experience that complements the visuals and gameplay mechanics, making the slot even more captivating. 

Bonus Features

The standout feature of Hand of Anubis is its unique set of bonus rounds, which push the excitement levels to the extreme. 

Soul Orbs

In the base game, the red and blue Soul Orbs act as wilds with progressive multipliers. These multipliers grow dynamically with wins and cascades, multiplying each other when used in the same cluster. 

Underworld Bonus

Triggered by landing three bonus symbols, the Underworld Bonus transports players to an even darker environment. Here, five reels display multipliers that start at zero. Winning clusters add their values to these multipliers. Additional mechanics, such as green Soul Orbs, activate multipliers on their respective reels, while the Anubis Skull symbols multiply the existing values by x2, x3, x5, or x10. The bonus can culminate in massive rewards as the multipliers grow significantly. 

Judgement Bonus

Triggered by four bonus symbols, the Judgement Bonus provides a “hold and win” style experience. Here, blank and special blocks land on the reels, with multiplier modifiers that either add values, multiply existing values, or clear blocks to create new opportunities. The four types of Skull symbols deliver substantial multiplier enhancements, while the Crusher blocks reset the spin count and collect all values beneath them. 

Bonus Buy 

For players who prefer direct access to the action, Hand of Anubis includes a Bonus Buy option. Depending on availability, players can purchase entry into either the Underworld Bonus (for 129x the bet) or the Judgement Bonus (for 200x the bet). These options come with high RTP values of 96.29% and 96.18%, respectively. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Hand of Anubis accommodates a wide range of players with a flexible betting system. Bets range from as low as €0.10 to as high as €100 per spin, making it accessible to casual players while appealing to high rollers. 

The slot’s RTP is variable, with the highest setting being 96.24%. Combined with a hit frequency of 36%, players can expect reasonably frequent wins, although the high volatility means these may vary greatly in size. The maximum win of 10,000x the bet is particularly enticing and is made possible through the game’s progressive multipliers, especially in the bonus rounds. 

Low-value symbols offer payouts of 0.1x to 1x the bet for clusters of 5 to 11+ symbols, while high-value symbols reward 0.3x to 60x the bet for clusters of the same size. The addition of multipliers in the bonus rounds can amplify these wins to remarkable levels. 

Conclusion 

Hand of Anubis stands out as one of Hacksaw Gaming’s most innovative and visually striking slots. It’s a masterclass in how to take a familiar theme—in this case, ancient Egypt—and turn it into something entirely fresh and engaging. The combination of high-volatility gameplay, cluster pays, and progressive multipliers creates a thrilling experience that keeps players coming back for more. 

The bonus rounds are the true highlight, offering both variety and significant win potential. The Underworld and Judgement bonuses feel unique and well thought out, with plenty of opportunities for players to land substantial payouts. 

However, Hand of Anubis is not a slot for the faint-hearted. Its high volatility and complex mechanics may not appeal to casual players or those looking for a more relaxed experience. For seasoned slot enthusiasts and thrill-seekers, though, it’s a must-try. 

If you’re drawn to dark, atmospheric themes and high-risk, high-reward gameplay, Hand of Anubis delivers on all fronts. Hacksaw Gaming has once again proven its ability to innovate and captivate, cementing its reputation as a leading developer in the world of online slots.