Review of Wanted Dead or a Wild Slot
Alright, partner, hitch up your horses and join me on this adventure through the Wild West with the Wanted Dead or a Wild slot. Created by Hacksaw Gaming and launched in 2021, this game is a real hoot. It's packed with Duel symbols and Dead symbols that kick off some exciting features. There are Wild Multipliers and Sticky Wilds in play, and if fortune favors me, I could hit the jackpot for up to 12,500 times my bet! With multipliers in action, they can soar up to a jaw-dropping 100x, and if I trigger the Dead Man’s Hand feature, I’ll face off with all the collected Wilds during the last 3 spins for some serious rewards.
Wanted Dead or a Wild Slot – Symbols, Payouts, and Reel Screen
This slot unfolds on a 5-reel, 5-row grid with 15 fixed paylines. To grab the winnings, I need to line up at least 3 matching symbols from left to right. I can start spinning with a modest bet of just $0.20 all the way up to a high-stakes bet of $100, making it great for both cautious players and big spenders alike. Changing my bet is as easy as tapping the plus or minus buttons next to the spin button.
The symbols are crafted to fit this Wild West theme. The lower-paying symbols are classic card values dressed up with a Western twist: 10, J, Q, K, and A. If I land 5 matching symbols, I’ll score 1x my bet.
The high rollers will dig the bigger symbols like sheriff badges, wanted posters, and horseshoes, which include:
- A Bandit
- A Buffalo Skull
- A Money Bag
- A Whisky Bottle
- A Revolver Drum
Landing 5 matching symbols in this category can net me a payout between 5x to 20x my stake.
The Wild symbol is my trusty sheriff’s badge labeled “Wild.” Hit five of these and I'm looking at 20x my bet. It can substitute for all symbols, except for the VS and bonus symbols.
I’ll also encounter these symbols: VS (Versus), The Great Train Robbery, Duel, and Dead scatter symbols. Collecting the right amount of these symbols can unlock a slew of thrilling bonus features.
| Symbol | Payouts |
| 10 | Payouts of 0.1x, 0.5x, or 1x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| J | Winnings of 0.1x, 0.5x, or 1x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Q | 0.1x, 0.5x, or 1x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| K | Yields 0.1x, 0.5x, or 1x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| A | 0.1x, 0.5x, or 1x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Buffalo Skull | Pays 0.5x, 2.5x, or 5x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Bandit | 0.5x, 2.5x, or 5x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Money Bag | 1x, 5x, or 10x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Whisky Bottle | 1x, 5x, or 10x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Revolver Drum | Payouts of 2x, 10x, or 20x for 3, 4, or 5 |
| Wild Symbol | 20x for 5 |
| Dead Symbol | Triggers the Dead Man’s Hand feature with 3 or more |
| Duel Symbol | Duel at Dawn feature kicks in with 3 or more |
| The Great Train Robbery Symbol | Activates The Great Train Robbery feature with 3 or more |
| VS Symbol | Helps secure a win revealing multipliers |
| Multiplier Symbol | Key to bagging those big payouts |
In this slot game, the Multiplier symbol appears as a plus sign inside a circle. Usually, these symbols show up with the game’s VS symbols. When those VS symbols arrive, they expand to cover the whole reel, turning it into a wild reel. Once that happens, a duel begins, revealing a multiplier value that can skyrocket my payouts.
Themes, Graphics and Sounds of the Game
Transporting me back to the Wild West, this game’s visuals and sounds capture that outlaw and sheriff vibe perfectly. The graphics are a slick modern interpretation of classic Western scenes loaded with guns, bandits, and gold. Add in some tunes inspired by spaghetti westerns, and I’m fully engaged.
Experiencing the Demo of Wanted Dead or a Wild
I always suggest checking out the demo version of Wanted Dead or a Wild to get a feel for the game without risking any real cash. Most online casinos and game reviews provide access to this demo mode, and all I have to do is follow these simple steps:
- Find a Casino Offering the Demo: Look for an online spot that has the demo of Wanted Dead or a Wild.
- Start the Game: Enter the game and select the “Demo” or “Play for Fun” option.
- Set Your Bet: Even though I’m playing with virtual credits, it’s smart to adjust my bet to match what I’d wager with real cash.
- Explore the Features: This is the perfect time to learn about the game’s features, including bonus rounds, free spins, and special symbols.
- Play Without Risk: Spin those reels without the worry of losing real money. I can take this chance to understand the game mechanics and enjoy the theme.
Bonuses and Features of Wanted Dead or a Wild
This slot comes packed with five bonus features, showcasing multipliers and sticky Wilds as the real game changers. There are two unique features that grant me 10 free spins each, and a third feature gives me 3 spins leading to an action-packed showdown with the potential for big rewards.
During normal gameplay, specific symbols can activate these rounds, or if I’m feeling lucky, I might be able to access them directly through a buy option if it’s available. Here’s how each bonus feature breaks down: VS, Duel at Dawn, Dead Man’s Hand, The Great Train Robbery, and Bonus Buy.
VS Symbol
When the VS symbol helps me score a win, it expands and takes over the entire reel, leading to a showdown between two outlaws, each with their own multipliers. The multiplier from the winning outlaw spreads across the whole reel, turning it wild.
Got really lucky and hit multiple VS symbols? The multipliers stack up to boost my win. If I hit a VS on every reel, filling the whole grid, that entire grid becomes wild!
Here’s a glimpse of the multipliers I could see: 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 10x, 20x, 25x, 50x, with the chance to hit it big at up to 100x.
The Great Train Robbery Bonus Round
Landing three or more Train Robbery symbols in the base game launches me into action with The Great Train Robbery bonus. I score 10 free spins, and any wilds that land in this round stick around for the whole feature.
Duel at Dawn Feature
The Duel at Dawn bonus gets triggered when I land three or more Duel symbols, giving me another 10 free spins. Unlike the base game, this round features more VS symbols, making it an exhilarating experience!
Dead Man’s Hand Feature
This bonus kicks in when I land 3 or more Dead symbols, launching a two-phase feature. The first phase grants me three spins where wilds, multipliers, or placeholder symbols appear on the reels. Collecting wilds or multipliers boosts my total and resets my spins back to three. I can gather up to 20 wilds and a maximum multiplier of x31. If I run out of new symbols for three spins, that phase wraps up. The action then shifts to the Showdown phase, where I get three final spins. All wilds I collected take their spots on the grid, and wins are enhanced with the total multiplier I gathered. High volatility? Absolutely!
Bonus Buy Feature
If I'm craving instant excitement, I can jump straight into the bonus features using the Bonus Buy option, and here’s what I need to pay:
- The Great Train Robbery costs 80 times my stake, sporting an RTP of 96.27% and medium volatility.
- Duel at Dawn comes in at 200x my stake and has high volatility along with an RTP of 96.33%.
- Dead Man’s Hand gives me a high-stakes chance to win back 400x with an RTP of 96.43%, and it’s high volatility too.
RTP and Variance in Wanted Dead or a Wild
With a return to player (RTP) of 96.38%, this game knows how to handle the stakes. It may fluctuate based on its trio of special bonus features. Plus, Wanted Dead or a Wild boasts its high volatility, offering me the chance to win up to 12,500 times my bet!
Conclusion
Wanted Dead or a Wild is an exciting slot game loaded with thrilling features and the potential for big wins thanks to its volatility. The slot provides a variety of special features and bonus rounds that keep the gameplay fresh and enjoyable. If you’re a fan of the Western theme or want a game that combines classic slot mechanics with innovative storytelling and features, then hop in the saddle and give Wanted Dead or a Wild a shot!
