Dark Spiral

Dark Spiral Review

If you are familiar with Hacksaw Gaming's work, then you know how it stands out thanks to its unique visual styles and first-class graphics. The provider’s collection has recently been expanded with the release of the Dark Spiral slot. In keeping with current trends, this is a high-volatility title with a fairly large maximum multiplier of x10,000. We are not impressed with the RTP here, as it is only 94.22%, but the provider promises higher values during bonus features.

At the heart of this title lies a cascading mechanic where winning symbols disappear to make way for new ones. In many cases, this leads to at least one more combination per round. The advantage here is that you don't need to place another bet to win a prize. In addition, Dark Spiral offers Ways to Win (from 4,096 betways at the start with the possibility of increasing their number to an impressive 331,776). Before spinning the reels, you need to decide on the size of your bet (from 0.10 to 100 euros per game round).

Dark Spiral Slot - Reels Screen

Despite the fact that this is a stylish horror slot, it still features classic card symbols from ten to ace, which are responsible for small payouts. It is much more interesting to catch creepy icons with body parts and mythical creatures, which pay out big. And of course, the game has wilds, summon symbols, and scatters that unlock access to the main bonus features.

Dark Spiral Features

Cascading mechanics always mean lots of unexpected twists and turns, so this slot won't let you relax from the very first spin. But we would be very surprised if Hacksaw Gaming didn't offer something else besides that. And our expectations were met, as Dark Spiral contains several more intriguing features that you might enjoy.

Summoning Symbols

These symbols ignore the outer reels and usually land in the center, stretching to their full height: 1x2, 1x3, or even 1x4. As soon as such a giant lands, it immediately turns into a whole stack of regular icons or wilds. It all depends on the size of the summoning symbol: for the 1x2 format, 3 to 6 symbols are added, for 1x3, 5 to 9, and the huge 1x4 brings 6 to 12 symbols at once. When you see Wild directly above or below this symbol on the same reel, the summoning symbol expands, absorbs it, and increases the total stack. Moreover, if such a symbol becomes part of a winning combo, it does not disappear with the rest, but remains in place until the end of the cascade, giving out a new batch of icons after each explosion.

Three FS Variants

As mentioned above, this game features Scatters. They are responsible for triggering the bonus game with free spins. However, there are three FS bonus options, and it all depends on the number of Scatters that land on the game grid:

• Shattered FS. This is the basic level of free spins, where you get 10 free attempts for a combination of three Scatters. The key feature here is that you get an increased chance of getting Summoning Symbols.
• Twisted FS. To get this type of bonus, you need to land 4 Scatters anywhere on the game grid. In addition to an increased chance of getting Summoning Symbols, you also benefit from sticky icons. This means that Summoning Symbols remain on the grid until the end of the free spins, so that combos are formed more often.
• Tortured FS. Such things don't happen often. But if you're really lucky enough to catch 5 Scatters at once, you're guaranteed to get 2 Summoning icons on the very first spin. As a result, the number of winning lines will skyrocket, and the grid will be literally packed with high-paying symbols.

Tortured is undoubtedly the most desirable feature. If you're lucky, you'll enjoy long cascades and potentially huge multipliers. This is exactly where you can achieve the highest possible multiplier in this game.

Dark Spiral Slot - Free Spins

Bonus Buy

High volatility isn't just about rare combos in the base game. It also means you shouldn't expect to hit free spins often. But the provider gives you the chance to increase your chances or even guarantee certain features. For example, BonusHunt FeatureSpins (worth 3x your bet) increases your chances of triggering any bonus by 5 times. You can buy 2 guaranteed Summoning icons using the Summon The FeatureSpins feature, which costs x100 your bet. Shattered FS can be purchased here for the same price. Finally, the guaranteed launch of Twisted FS will cost you twice as much. You cannot buy Tortured FS directly, but the Twisted option gives you some chances for an upgrade.

Theme & Graphics

Dark Spiral will surprise even those who are not afraid of horror games, as the atmosphere in the slot is truly terrifying and hair-raising. This is emphasized by graphics rendered in dark and even blood-black tones and symbols depicting body parts. The developer has also done an excellent job with the animations, so that cascades, expansions, and stack reveals look truly sinister here. All of this is emphasized by stunning sound design in the best traditions of Hacksaw. Although it all looks complicated, the game is optimized for mobile, so get ready for horror with huge potential payouts right on the go.

Dark Spiral Free Play

Launch the Dark Spiral demo to see how scary it is. Seriously though, we always recommend starting with a risk-free version, so try the Dark Spiral free play option before betting real money. The demo version of this game is available right here on the SlotCatalog website.

Pros & Cons of the Dark Spiral Slot

Our Verdict

We didn't miss the opportunity to test this title after its release. Long dry spells in the base game confirmed the high volatility of Dark Spiral. And this is not compensated by the RTP, as Hacksaw set it at 94.22%, which is a bit disappointing. But on the other hand, the game blossoms and becomes much more generous thanks to Summoning Symbols and Wilds.

Simply put, this slot was created for fans of hardcore and extremely unpredictable gameplay. Here, you endure long dry spells for the sake of cascades and free spins. So if you're looking for a game for a relaxed evening, Dark Spiral is unlikely to suit you. We recommend checking out this robust, stylish but very dark representative of the Hacksaw line in demo mode first.