Xmas Drop by Hacksaw Gaming is the studio’s first venture into the festive slot genre, presenting a visually delightful Christmas-themed game. While maintaining Hacksaw Gaming’s playful and cute style, Xmas Drop introduces various gaming features, including expanding wilds, multipliers, and two bonus rounds named “Night Before Xmas” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
Key Features:
- Festive Christmas Theme:
- Xmas Drop immerses players in a festive Christmas setting with a snowy forest, Santa standing alongside the reels, and a visually charming atmosphere.
- Game Mechanics and Volatility:
- The game features a 5×5 grid with 19 paylines and operates on a medium-volatility math model.
- Players can place bets ranging from 10 cents to $/€100 per spin, with a default RTP value of 96.22% during regular betting.
- Symbols and Payouts:
- The symbols include 10 to A card royals as low pays and high-paying symbols such as a stocking, a candy cane, a tree, a teddy bear, and bells.
- Payouts range from 5 to 10 times the bet for a 5-of-a-kind low-pay combination and 15 to 25 times the bet for high-paying symbols.
- Wild Symbols:
- Xmas Drop features two wild symbols: the Wild Santa symbol and the Wild Gift symbol.
- The Wild Santa symbol expands downward and transforms into a multiplier when it covers the Wild Gift symbol.
- Night Before Xmas Bonus Round:
- Triggered by landing 3 Free Spins (FS) scatters, the Night Before Xmas bonus round awards 10 free spins.
- The bonus round includes a higher likelihood of encountering Wild Santa and Wild Gift symbols.
- Additional FS symbols during the round provide extra free spins.
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Bonus Round:
- Activated by landing 4 Free Spins (FS) scatters, this bonus round awards 10 free spins.
- Wild Santa symbols can activate specific reels, guaranteeing their appearance for the remaining free spins.
- Additional FS symbols during the round provide extra free spins.
- Feature Buy Options:
- Players can choose from different feature buy options, each offering specific benefits at varying costs.
- Feature buy options include BonusHunt FeatureSpins, 2 Wild Santas FeatureSpins, 3 Wild Santas FeatureSpins, Night Before Xmas, and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
- Maximum Win Potential:
- The game offers various feature buy options with different volatility levels and RTP percentages.
- The BonusHunt FeatureSpins have an RTP of 96.44%, while the highly volatile options like Night Before Xmas and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town have RTPs ranging from 96.2% to 96.41%.
Verdict: Xmas Drop is Hacksaw Gaming’s first Christmas-themed slot, offering a visually charming and festive experience. The game introduces expanding wilds, multipliers, and two bonus rounds, providing players with various opportunities for excitement and potential wins. While maintaining Hacksaw Gaming’s playful style, the slot may feel somewhat familiar to those who have played the studio’s previous titles. The feature buy options add flexibility to the gameplay, catering to players who prefer different levels of volatility. Overall, Xmas Drop is a delightful addition to the Christmas slot genre, offering a mix of holiday cheer and engaging features.