Xmas Drop (Hacksaw Gaming) Slot Review

Xmas Drop: Slot Overview 

Released on November 30, 2023, Xmas Drop by Hacksaw Gaming brings a festive twist to the world of online slots. Known for its creative game designs, Hacksaw Gaming has managed to combine a cheerful Christmas theme with a feature-rich gameplay experience. As their first-ever Christmas slot, Xmas Drop sets the stage for a holiday adventure filled with bright visuals, jolly music, and intriguing bonus features. 

The slot uses a 5×5 grid format with 19 paylines, offering a balance of straightforward gameplay and excitement. With an RTP range between 96.22% and 88.02%, players can experience medium volatility (rated 3/5) and a hit frequency of 18%, making the game accessible for both casual and experienced players. The potential for a maximum win of 12,500x your bet adds significant appeal, ensuring a thrilling gaming experience. 

Design and Graphics 

Xmas Drop’s design encapsulates the cozy, magical essence of Christmas. The reels are framed in gold and set against a backdrop of a snow-laden forest glowing in warm hues. The grid itself is filled with festive symbols like Christmas stockings, candy canes, teddy bears, and Christmas trees, alongside lower-paying symbols represented by vibrant card royals (10-A) in green, blue, and purple hues. 

Santa Claus stands to the right of the reels, his round belly swaying jovially, adding charm to the gameplay. The visuals are crisp, colorful, and festive, perfectly capturing the holiday spirit. Hacksaw Gaming has ensured that the game is visually appealing, using high-quality animations that make each spin feel alive. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, Xmas Drop employs a 5-reel, 5-row layout with 19 paylines. Winning combinations start from the leftmost reel, with symbols needing to align along the paylines for a payout. The mechanics are simple yet engaging, ensuring that players of all experience levels can quickly dive in. 

The slot’s medium volatility strikes a balance between frequent smaller wins and occasional big payouts. The game’s design is complemented by expanding wilds, multipliers, and free spins, all of which add depth to the gameplay and keep players engaged. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Xmas Drop immerses players in a festive ambiance with jingling bells, cheerful melodies, and a touch of whimsy that brings the Christmas season to life. The music is dynamic, adjusting to the pace of gameplay, while sound effects like the jingling of coins or the expansion of wilds enhance the excitement. 

Santa’s occasional chuckles and the subtle sounds of snow falling further enrich the auditory experience, making Xmas Drop a perfect choice for players looking to get into the holiday spirit.

Bonus Features

 Wild Santa Symbol 

The Wild Santa symbol adds an exciting dimension to Xmas Drop. It can expand vertically when part of a winning combination, covering the entire reel and increasing the chances of landing significant wins. However, Wild Santa symbols only expand downward and are counted as wilds on all covered positions. 

Wild Gift Symbol 

When a Wild Santa symbol expands through a Wild Gift symbol, it activates a multiplier. Multipliers range from 2x to 200x, and if multiple expanded Wild Santas are involved in a win, their multipliers are combined, leading to massive potential payouts. 

Night Before Xmas Bonus Round 

Triggered by landing 3 FS scatter symbols, this bonus round awards 10 free spins. During this feature, players have an increased chance of landing Wild Santa and Wild Gift symbols. Each additional FS symbol during the round adds 4 extra free spins. If players collect 4 FS symbols, the feature is upgraded to the Santa Claus Is Coming To Town round. 

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Bonus Round 

This bonus round is triggered by landing 4 FS scatter symbols or upgrading from the Night Before Xmas round. It also awards 10 free spins, but with a twist: whenever a Wild Santa lands, it activates the reel it appears on, guaranteeing a Wild Santa for the remaining free spins on that reel. Collecting additional FS symbols grants 4 extra free spins, extending the round’s duration and increasing win potential. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Xmas Drop caters to a wide range of players with a minimum bet of €0.10 and a maximum bet of €100 per spin. The flexible betting range makes the game accessible to both casual players and high rollers. With a maximum payout of 12,500x, the potential for large wins adds to the slot’s appeal. 

The game’s symbols are divided into low-paying and high-paying categories. The low-paying symbols (10-A card royals) offer payouts ranging from 5x to 10x the bet for five-of-a-kind combinations, while the high-paying symbols (stockings, candy canes, teddy bears, Christmas trees, and bells) provide payouts ranging from 15x to 25x the bet. 

Additionally, the game offers a Feature Buy menu, where players can purchase bonus rounds directly: 

• BonusHunt FeatureSpins: 3x the bet for increased chances of triggering a bonus game (RTP: 96.44%). 

• 2 Wild Santas FeatureSpins: 20x the bet, guaranteeing at least two Wild Santa symbols (RTP: 96.34%). 

• 3 Wild Santas FeatureSpins: 50x the bet, guaranteeing at least three Wild Santa symbols (RTP: 96.31%). 

• Night Before Xmas: 110x the bet for instant access to the free spins round (RTP: 96.2%). 

• Santa Claus Is Coming To Town: 200x the bet for direct entry to the premium free spins feature (RTP: 96.41%). 

Conclusion 

Hacksaw Gaming’s Xmas Drop is a delightful addition to the holiday-themed slot genre. With its vibrant visuals, engaging mechanics, and festive soundtrack, the game is sure to appeal to players looking for a fun and immersive Christmas experience. The combination of expanding wilds, multipliers, and well-designed bonus rounds ensures that the gameplay remains dynamic and rewarding. 

The medium volatility and RTP range provide a balanced playing experience, while the potential for a 12,500x max win adds excitement for those chasing big payouts. The Feature Buy options are a standout feature, allowing players to dive straight into the action and tailor their experience. 

While the game may not reinvent the slot genre, it delivers a charming and enjoyable festive adventure that’s perfect for the holiday season. Whether you’re a casual player looking for lighthearted fun or a seasoned slot enthusiast chasing big wins, Xmas Drop is well worth a spin.