Duel at Dawn Slot Review

It is thanks to the Wild West slot genre, that developer Hacksaw Gaming made a name for themselves; and Wanted Dead or a Wild is still their number one played game, despite being years since its release. With the Duel at Dawn slot, Hacksaw Gaming aims to release their next smash-hit game, and visually they have certainly pulled out all the stops. This time you get an iconic Old West 'guns at dawn' showdown with a classic Western soundtrack. To the left of the 5x5 reels stands a mystery bandit waving his six-shooter in your face, and to the right an amazing backdrop of the Grand Canyon at dawn.

While lower-paying card suit symbols (J, Q, K, A) round out the paytable, the higher value symbols such as revolvers and Sheriffs' hat are presented in the harsh, realistic graphic style that Hacksaw has become known for.

The full paytable for the Duel at Dawn slot is as follows:

Duel at Dawn is so jam-packed with bonus features that you might need to play until dusk to get through them! Here is a rundown of what to expect from this game:

Duel Reels

This is a unique Hacksaw feature that has been popularised in previous releases. A “VS” symbol on any reel will extend to span its whole reel if it forms a winning combination and expanded DuelReels count as Wild symbols in all positions.

Two multiplier values will appear at either end of the symbol starting a duel.

If The Outlaw or The Sheriff wins, their multiplier value will apply to DuelReel winning combinations. DuelReels can show multipliers of 2 x–200x. Multiple DuelReels in a winning combination require their multiplier values added before applying them and only one 'VS' symbol can appear per reel.

Outlaw Feature

Outlaw symbols grow to cover their reels and reveal a handgun with 1 to 6 rounds. Wild symbols are blasted onto grid places based on the chamber's bullet count. When multiple Outlaw symbols land, only one Wild can be shot into any grid location and Outlaws cannot shoot each other. Two Outlaw symbols can land on a spin, but not on the same reel. All winning combinations with outlaw symbols have a multiplier. Random multiplier values range from 2x to 200x, and if two Outlaw symbols make a winning combination, their values are added together.

Duel at Dawn Bonus

Three scatters landed in a base game spin launch the Wild Wild West bonus round, which awards 10 free spins. This bonus boosts DuelReels and Outlaw symbol chances but plays much like the base game mode. Increased multiplier values for DuelReels and Outlaw symbols are also possible during the bonus and landing 2 or 3 scatter symbols on a free spin awards 2 or 4 extra spins.

Dusk ‘til Dawn Bonus

Four scatters in a base game round activate the Dusk ‘Til Dawn bonus round, which awards 10 free spins. The feature also unlocks up to 4 DuelSpins with guaranteed “VS” symbols; you can unlock further DuelSpins by landing an Outlaw sign and shooting 6 Wilds. The DuelSpin begins immediately after the unlocking spin and is not a Free Spin and any spin can also unlock up to 2 DuelSpins, which are rewarded in order; each new unlock awards more DuelSpins than the last. This means that the first DuelSpin ensures at least 2, the second 3, the third 4, and the fourth all 5, on top of this, 3 more spins are provided when a DuelSpin is unlocked.

Bonus Buy and Feature Spins (Non-UK Only)

Non-UK players can indulge in 5 Bonus Buys and FeatureSpins with Duel At Dawn:

• BonusHunt FeatureSpins – Costs 3x the bet and makes spins 5 times more likely to trigger a bonus game.
• Deadly Duels FeatureSpins – Costs 60x the bet. This guarantees at least 2 VS symbols will land per spin.
• Lone Outlaw FeatureSpins – Costs 60x the bet. This guarantees at least one Outlaw symbol lands on the following spin and his revolver will have at least two bullets in the chamber.
• Wild Wild West – Triggers the bonus game and costs 100x the total bet.
• Dusk ‘Til Dawn – Triggers the Dusk ‘til Dawn bonus and costs 2000x the total bet.

Hacksaw Gaming slots always feel like a breath of fresh air; even if they are based around a popular theme and Duel at Dawn delivers. The overall math model presented is competitive, with medium-to-high volatility to challenge, but a 15,000x stake top prize to balance it out. The bonus features are both unique and enhance the overall theme of the game, which certainly adds to the immersion. The one downside of this slot is the extensive selection of Bonus Buy and Feature Bet options, as players in the UK and other regions cannot access these. Normally this is not too disappointing, but with such a tantalising menu of options, it does leave the slightest sour taste. All in all, the Duel at Dawn slot is a very well-designed and immaculately presented game that is a welcome addition to the Wild West slot genre. I give this slot a rootin’ tootin’ rating of 9/10.

Rating: 9.0