Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Wanted Dead or a Wild: Slot Overview 

Hacksaw Gaming’s Wanted Dead or a Wild invites players to a grim and rugged Wild West setting, far removed from the typical dusty towns seen in slot games. This game is a step into a darker, more unrelenting side of the Western genre, complete with outlaw vibes, smoky saloons, and high-stakes duels. It features a 5×5 grid with 15 paylines and an RTP range that peaks at 96.38%. Released on September 29, 2021, it boasts a high volatility level (4/5) and the potential for a colossal max win of 12,500x the bet, making it an enticing option for risk-loving players. 

The game’s mechanics and visuals, including full-reel wild multipliers and a trio of immersive bonus rounds, ensure Wanted Dead or a Wild stands out in Hacksaw Gaming’s library. The hit frequency sits at 19.3%, meaning wins may not come frequently, but the game’s design ensures significant excitement when they do. 

Design and Graphics 

Wanted Dead or a Wild leans heavily into an atmospheric aesthetic. The game board is set outdoors, against a backdrop of barbed-wire fences and twisted, ominous trees. The color palette is dominated by shades of red and brown, evoking a sense of danger and urgency. This isn’t your typical cowboy-themed slot—it’s grittier, closer to a Spaghetti Western in tone, where the stakes are always high, and trust is a rare commodity. 

The symbols further contribute to this dark Western vibe. The 10-A card royals serve as the low-paying icons, while premium symbols like skulls, money bags, liquor bottles, and bullet chambers deliver higher payouts. The attention to detail is impressive, and the inclusion of thematic symbols like outlaw getups and guns elevates the overall immersion. Wilds are designed to look like sheriff badges, fitting seamlessly into the game’s narrative. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

The gameplay in Wanted Dead or a Wild is centered around its straightforward yet effective 15 fixed paylines. Unlike cluster-pay systems used in many modern slots, the paylines here demand three or more matching symbols across a line from left to right. The simplicity of this approach is offset by the game’s additional mechanics, including expanding wilds and multipliers. 

The game introduces VS symbols, which are a key mechanic in the base game and some bonus features. When these symbols land, they expand to cover entire reels, turning them wild while displaying multipliers that can range from 2x to 100x. If more than one VS symbol is present, their multipliers combine, potentially leading to massive wins. 

Wins aren’t as frequent as in lower-volatility slots, but when they happen, the combination of multipliers and sticky symbols ensures they are significant. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Wanted Dead or a Wild enhances its grim atmosphere. Rather than upbeat, jovial Western tunes, Hacksaw Gaming opts for something more subdued and menacing, with slow, haunting notes that build tension as you spin the reels. The sound effects—such as the whirring of the reels, the subtle clicks of multipliers activating, and the celebratory jingles for significant wins—are crisp and immersive. This auditory experience perfectly complements the game’s visuals, drawing players deeper into its world. 

Bonus Features 

Wanted Dead or a Wild shines in its bonus features, which add significant depth and unpredictability to the gameplay. There are three primary bonuses: 

1. The Great Train Robbery 

Triggered by landing three or more Train Robbery symbols, this feature awards 10 free spins. During this round, all wilds that appear remain sticky for the duration of the spins, increasing the potential for significant payouts. Hacksaw Gaming rates this feature as medium volatility, making it an appealing choice for players who prefer balanced risk and reward. 

2. Duel at Dawn 

Triggered by landing three or more Duel symbols, this feature also awards 10 free spins. The difference here lies in the higher likelihood of VS symbols appearing during these spins. Since VS symbols can apply multipliers of up to 100x, this is the high-volatility option of the three bonus rounds. 

3. Dead Man’s Hand 

This unique feature is activated by landing three or more DEAD symbols. It’s split into two phases: 

• Phase 1: Players collect wilds and multipliers over the course of three spins. If additional wilds or multipliers land, the spin count resets to three. This phase ends after three consecutive spins with no new additions. 

• Phase 2: The collected wilds and multipliers are applied to three final spins, leading to the potential for colossal wins. 

Each bonus round offers its own level of excitement and caters to different player preferences, ensuring variety and replayability. 

Bonus Buy Option 

Players who prefer to skip the wait can access any of the three bonus rounds directly via the bonus buy feature. The cost varies: 

• The Great Train Robbery: 80x the bet 

• Duel at Dawn: 200x the bet 

• Dead Man’s Hand: 400x the bet 

The availability of this feature depends on jurisdiction, but it offers a chance for immediate high-stakes action. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Wanted Dead or a Wild offers a flexible betting range, accommodating both casual players and high rollers with bets ranging from €0.20 to €100. This broad range ensures accessibility for all types of players. The max win of 12,500x the bet is one of the game’s standout features, presenting the potential for life-changing payouts. 

The game’s RTP varies depending on the version and whether the bonus buy option is used. The highest RTP is 96.38%, while lower configurations drop to 88.42%. Players are encouraged to check the RTP of their specific version before playing. 

The payouts are significant, particularly for the premium symbols: 

• Five premium symbols on a payline can yield payouts of 5x to 20x the stake. 

• Wilds offer the same payout as the highest-paying premium symbol, ensuring their value extends beyond just substitution. 

Conclusion 

Wanted Dead or a Wild is a stellar addition to Hacksaw Gaming’s portfolio, offering a darker, grittier take on the Wild West that sets it apart from other Western-themed slots. Its atmospheric design, coupled with innovative mechanics like VS symbols and three distinct bonus rounds, ensures that it caters to a wide range of players. 

The game’s high volatility and hit frequency may deter some casual players, but for those willing to embrace the risk, the rewards can be immense. The inclusion of a bonus buy feature adds further accessibility, allowing players to dive straight into the action if they wish. 

Whether you’re drawn in by its theme, intrigued by its features, or enticed by its potential payouts, Wanted Dead or a Wild delivers an engaging and immersive experience. It’s a testament to Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to innovate while maintaining the core elements that make slots exciting. For fans of high-stakes, high-reward gameplay, this is a must-try title.