Hugo 2 (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Hugo 2: Slot Overview 

Play’n GO revisits its beloved Hugo the Troll character in Hugo 2, a sequel to the original Hugo slot. This 5-reel, 3-row slot with 10 fixed paylines brings back the mischievous troll in an adventure-packed setting filled with cartoonish visuals, quirky animations, and engaging bonus features. 

With an RTP of 96.53%, high volatility (10/10), and a maximum win of 5,000x the bet, Hugo 2 is designed for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay. The game offers two primary bonus features: the Skull Cavern picking bonus and the Troll Race Free Spins round, providing multiple ways to land big wins. 

Design and Graphics 

Hugo 2 maintains a bright and colorful aesthetic, in line with the character’s origins from the 1990s Danish TV show and video game series. The game’s cartoonish charm is evident in its backdrop, featuring rail tracks leading into a mysterious mine, suggesting a high-speed adventure. The reels are set against a lively forest and mountain landscape, keeping the atmosphere fun and lighthearted. Symbol Design: 

Low-Paying Symbols: The usual 10-A royal cards, crafted in a wooden style. 

High-Paying Symbols: Various items from Hugo’s world, including: 

Hugo’s miner hat 

Sacks of gold 

Gold bars 

Rail carts filled with treasure 

Special Symbols: 

Wild: Hugo himself, substituting for all symbols except scatters. 

Scatter: The Beaver, which triggers free spins. 

Bonus Symbol: The Evil Witch Afskylia, which activates the picking bonus. 

The animations are smooth and well-executed, with Hugo running along the tracks in the free spins round and Afskylia cackling menacingly in the bonus game. 

While Hugo 2’s visuals are charming, some players might find them too childish, especially given Play’n GO’s typically more mature themes. However, for those who appreciate a nostalgic, lighthearted design, the graphics are a strong selling point. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

Hugo 2 plays on a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines. Wins occur when three or more matching symbols land from left to right, starting from the first reel. 

Key Gameplay Features: 

Wilds (Hugo): 

Substitutes for all symbols except scatters and bonus symbols. 

Helps form higher-paying combinations. 

Scatters (Beaver Symbol): 

Triggers the Troll Race Free Spins feature. 

Bonus Symbols (Afskylia): 

Triggers the Skull Cavern picking bonus. 

The game’s high volatility means wins can be infrequent, but the bonus features offer big payout opportunities when triggered. 

Sound and Music 

Hugo 2’s soundtrack is upbeat and playful, aligning perfectly with its lighthearted theme. The sound effects include cheerful jingles, minecart noises, and Hugo’s voice lines, making the experience feel animated and interactive. 

Winning combinations trigger energetic sound effects. 

Bonus rounds have unique audio cues, including witch cackles and treasure chest jingles. 

During the free spins round, the sound intensifies, adding excitement to the race-like atmosphere. 

While the music is enjoyable, some players might find it repetitive over extended sessions. Fortunately, there’s always the option to mute the audio. 

Bonus Features

Skull Cavern Picking Bonus

Triggered by landing three Evil Witch Afskylia symbols anywhere on the reels, this interactive mini-game adds an element of strategy. How It Works: 

Players choose paths through the cavern to find treasure. 

The goal is to avoid dangers and pick the correct key to unlock Afskylia’s treasure. 

Finding the treasure awards a total win multiplier (2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x) based on how many lives remain. 

Extra lives can be gained if more than three scatters land (up to five scatters = three extra lives). 

This feature offers a fun, risk-reward element, though payouts tend to be moderate rather than massive. 

Troll Race Free Spins

Triggered by landing three Beaver scatters on reels 1, 3, and 5, this mode awards 10 initial free spins, with the potential for additional retriggers. 

Special Mechanics: 

Collect Wild Items: 

Players can collect 0-2 wild items per spin. 

Collecting 4 wilds replaces random symbols with wilds. 

After 4 wilds are used, they are removed from the collected count. 

Multiplier Items: 

Players can also collect 0-2 multiplier items per spin. 

If 4 multiplier items are collected, all wins receive a 2x multiplier. 

Once 20 free spins are reached, players can enter the Skull Cavern Bonus Game with three extra lives, adding a second layer of rewards. 

The free spins round is the most lucrative part of the game, where 5,000x max wins are most likely achieved. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Betting Range: 

Minimum Bet: €0.20 per spin 

Maximum Bet: €100 per spin 

Payout Structure: 

Low-Paying Symbols (10-A): Pay between 2x-5x the stake for five-of-a-kind. 

High-Paying Symbols: 

Gold Bars, Rail Carts, and Treasure Sacks pay between 10x-50x. 

Wild Symbol: Pays 50x the stake for five-of-a-kind. 

Max Win Potential: 

5,000x max win 

Max Win Probability: 5.00E-09 

High volatility (10/10) means big wins are rare but possible. 

Conclusion 

Pros: 

✔ Bright, colorful graphics and nostalgic theme ✔ Multiple bonus features with interactive elements ✔ Picking bonus adds strategy ✔ Free spins have wilds and multipliers for high win potential ✔ High RTP of 96.53% 

Cons: 

❌ Base game is relatively dull ❌ Bonus game wins often feel underwhelming ❌ High volatility can result in long dry spells ❌ Cartoonish theme may not appeal to all players 

Final Verdict 

Hugo 2 is a solid sequel, maintaining the charm and fun factor of the original while adding better graphics, additional bonus features, and higher win potential. The Troll Race Free Spins feature is the game’s highlight, offering wild transformations and multipliers that can lead to significant payouts. 

That said, the base game lacks excitement, and the picking bonus often feels lackluster. If you enjoy cartoonish slots with interactive features, Hugo 2 is a great pick. But if you prefer serious, high-stakes gameplay, the theme may feel too childish. 

For those who loved the first Hugo slot, this installment is a clear upgrade. And with 5,000x win potential, it offers plenty of thrills for those willing to take the risk!