Le Pharaoh (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Le Pharaoh: Slot Overview 

Hacksaw Gaming delivers a sequel with a thematic shift in Le Pharaoh, trading the backstreets of Paris for the sandy terrain of Egypt. A continuation of Le Bandit, this slot stars Smokey the raccoon, now donning the guise of a pharaoh and swapping his crowbar for a scepter. As a 6-reel, 5-row slot with 19 paylines, Le Pharaoh introduces Sticky Redrops and a range of bonus features to keep players engaged. With a maximum win potential of 15,000x the bet, increased from Le Bandit’s 10,000x, this sequel builds upon its predecessor in almost every way. 

The game’s medium volatility caters to a variety of player preferences, while the RTP reaches up to 96.18%, though variable models can drop as low as 88.24%. As for betting, it accommodates a broad range, starting at €0.10 and peaking at €100. Whether you’re a fan of Egyptian themes or just looking for well-designed gameplay mechanics, Le Pharaoh aims to tick all the right boxes. 

Design and Graphics 

Hacksaw Gaming excels at adapting its visuals to suit new themes, and Le Pharaoh is no exception. The game exudes an Egyptian vibe, with palm trees, pyramids, and hieroglyphs surrounding the reels. The cartoonish design of Smokey the raccoon as a pharaoh adds a quirky charm, making it less traditional and more approachable. 

Symbols on the reels are equally vibrant. Low-paying 10-A royals are complemented by thematic high-paying icons, including scarabs, ankhs, and ceremonial headdresses. A splash of color ensures the game avoids the overly subdued palettes common in Egyptian-themed slots. Hacksaw Gaming’s signature style is present in the clean design, smooth animations, and intuitive interface. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

Le Pharaoh employs familiar mechanics while introducing innovations to keep things fresh. Wins are formed when matching symbols land across the 19 paylines, with the wild symbol substituting for all pay symbols to create additional combinations. The game’s Sticky Redrop feature is central to its appeal, marking winning positions on the grid and retaining them for subsequent respins. 

Golden Squares play a pivotal role, activating during winning combinations and revealing hidden values. These can be Bronze Coins, Silver Coins, or Gold Coins, each carrying increasing multipliers. This mechanic, alongside regular spins, maintains an exciting gameplay loop while hinting at big win potential. 

Sound and Music 

The audio in Le Pharaoh is atmospheric, leveraging a subtle blend of Egyptian-themed melodies and Hacksaw Gaming’s lighthearted tone. While the background score is appropriately ambient, it never overshadows the gameplay. Winning spins bring celebratory sound effects that add excitement without becoming repetitive. Smokey’s mischievous antics are occasionally punctuated by character sounds, giving him more personality. 

Bonus Features 

Le Pharaoh boasts several bonus features, many of which expand on mechanics introduced in Le Bandit: 

Golden Riches 

This feature triggers after a Sticky Redrop, provided a Rainbow symbol is visible. Golden Squares reveal Bronze, Silver, or Gold Coins, or even special symbols like Pots of Gold, Green Clovers, or Golden Clovers. These symbols amplify wins, with: 

• Bronze Coins offering multipliers from 0.2x to 4x. 

• Silver Coins increasing values to 5x to 20x. 

• Gold Coins providing massive multipliers between 25x and 500x. 

• Green Clovers multiplying adjacent Coins by x2 to x20. 

• Golden Clovers further multiplying all adjacent Coins. 

Once Coins and special symbols are revealed, their values are collected via Pots of Gold, which store total wins and trigger another Golden Riches sequence. 

Bonus Choice 

Landing 3 or more FS symbols in the base game allows players to choose between two main bonus rounds: 

Luck of the Pharaoh: Awards 10 free spins with Golden Squares remaining active throughout the round. 

Super Lost Treasures: Offers 3 refilling lives, where non-dead symbols restore lives while Coins, Pots of Gold, and Green Clovers contribute to the win. 

Rainbow Over the Pyramids 

Triggered by landing 5 FS symbols, this feature combines mechanics from the base game and bonuses while guaranteeing Rainbow symbols on every spin. Players receive 12 free spins, with Golden Squares active throughout. 

Super Versions 

Opting for the Super Luck of the Pharaoh or Super Lost Treasures enhances the gameplay. Super bonuses guarantee more frequent high-value symbols and increased win potential. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Le Pharaoh offers flexible betting, with stakes ranging from €0.10 to €100, appealing to both casual players and high rollers. The game’s maximum win of 15,000x the bet places it among Hacksaw’s more lucrative offerings, significantly surpassing its predecessor, Le Bandit. Players should note the variable RTP, which adjusts depending on the market or bonus buy options. 

Payout Structure: 

• Low-paying symbols (10-A): Return between 0.5x and 0.7x for a full line of five. 

• High-paying symbols: Offer up to 4x the bet for five matches. 

• Special Coins and Clovers: These symbols are where the significant win potential lies, capable of delivering massive multipliers. 

The hit frequency of 29.21% ensures frequent base game wins, while the high-value bonus features provide bursts of excitement. 

Conclusion 

Le Pharaoh is a worthy sequel to Le Bandit, delivering a fresh theme, revamped mechanics, and an increased win potential. Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to iterate on its existing formula while maintaining player engagement is commendable. The Sticky Redrops and Golden Riches mechanics add layers of complexity, ensuring the game remains entertaining over extended sessions. 

While the medium volatility strikes a balance between risk and reward, the variable RTP models might deter some players. However, those willing to explore the bonus features will find ample opportunities for significant payouts, especially in the Super Lost Treasures and Rainbow Over the Pyramids rounds. 

For fans of cluster pays and coin collection mechanics, Le Pharaoh is a compelling addition to Hacksaw Gaming’s library, combining quirky visuals, engaging gameplay, and satisfying rewards. Whether you’re here for Smokey’s antics or the promise of 15,000x your bet, Le Pharaoh is well worth a spin.