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Western Wilds: Review

When Western-themed slots come to mind, it’s hard not to associate them with the gritty Iron Dog has adopted a different approach in Western Wilds. This game embraces a lighter and more whimsical style, reminiscent of many other releases from the company. While this direction may not fully capture the bold and daring spirit of the era where “anything goes,” Western Wilds still manages to exude a delightful charm. It surprises players with an intriguing bonus feature that is packed with various modifiers, adding to the excitement and enjoyment of the game.

The game unfolds in a ravine, surrounded by cliffs, with curiously gyrating cacti in the foreground. It’s an unusual sight, diverging from the traditional dusty one-horse town scene, reminiscent of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner more than anything else. Western Wilds revolves around the explosive use of TNT, suggesting a mining setting, yet the default configuration consists of a 5-reel, 1,204-payline grid housed within a structure labeled as ‘Bank.’ This intriguing combination traditional setting leaves us with something to ponder as we delve deeper into the game.

Western Wilds is a versatile game that can be enjoyed on any device, with a wide range of stakes available from 10 p/c to $/€50 per spin. The return to player (RTP) stands just below the average at 95.8%, while the main game itself’s volatility leans towards the higher end of the spectrum. During testing, the bonus game was triggered within a dozen spins, delivering an impressive 180x win right from the start. However, the next bonus took several hundred spins to hit, revealing the somewhat unpredictable nature of Western Wilds.

The game features 12 regular symbols, divided into 6 low-paying symbols and 6 high-paying symbols. The low-paying symbols include Western-themed 9-A royals, while the high-paying symbols consist of boots, hats, carts, a miner, a gunslinger, and a sack of gold. While the premium symbols offer decent payouts, ranging from 1x to 5x the bet for five of a kind, they may not yield enormous values. Nevertheless, the game provides several features to assist players along the way.

Western Wilds Slot RTP Details & Wager Limits

In the exciting Western Wilds slot machine game, the action unfolds on a 5-reel, 4-row machine with an impressive 1,024 ways to win. And that’s just the beginning! During the Free Spins feature, this number can even increase, adding to the thrill. To secure a win, all you have to do is land 3 or more matching symbols or wilds on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. Get ready for an exhilarating adventure!

When it comes to stakes, you have the freedom to choose between 10p and £50 per spin. Just click on the coins below the reels and adjust them to your liking. And if you prefer a more hands-off approach, Autoplay is available. You can set up to 999 autospins and even configure feature stop limits based on your desired max win or loss amounts or when triggering the free spins.

Now, let’s talk about the Western Wilds RTP, which stands at 95.8%. While slightly below average, it is by no means prohibitive. However, it’s important to note that the volatility here leans towards the higher side. Brace yourself for the potential to win up to an impressive 6,000 times your total stake in a single spin!

Game Symbols

This slot is packed with exciting features and a wide range of symbols on the reels. The symbols are divided into two groups: the low-value royal card symbols, and the high-value symbols including a sack of gold, gunslingers, boots, and hats. In addition to the standard western wilds max win them, there are two types of wilds in the game. The first one appears on the second and fifth reels, acting as a substitute in various combinations. The second wild is a golden safe that expands to cover up to five positions. Both the base game and the free spins feature tumbling reels, where new symbols replace winning ones, potentially leading to multiple consecutive wins. Another special symbol is the TNT box, which, when it lands on the reels, explodes into three random wild symbols.

Theme And Graphics

Irondog’s Western Wilds boasts a visually captivating aesthetic and veers towards a more animated style compared to other Western-themed slots. This approach results in a vibrant and attention-grabbing game, complete with intriguing and interesting characters, and an immersive setting that effortlessly engrosses you as you spin the reels.

Western Wilds: Slot Features

Named Western Wilds, this game is filled with exciting features. Players can enjoy multiple wilds in the base game, along with tumbles and a bonus round of free spins.

With every triumphant victory, behold the awe-inspiring “tumble feature” that springs to life. Witness as winning symbols explode off the reels, paving the way for fresh ones to cascade down, crafting a plethora of new winning combinations. The tumbles persistently descend, as long as the wins continue to grace the reels.

Within the realm of the base game, two intriguing wilds await your discovery – the steadfast standard wild and the enchanting expanding wild. The standard wild gracefully graces reels 2-5, gracefully replacing ordinary pay symbols. Yet, the allure intensifies with the appearance of the illustrious gold safe symbol, a captivating expanding wild. When it materializes upon any vacant position amidst the three middle reels, it expands to encompass all five positions, casting its golden radiance upon the game. Dare to dream, for it is even plausible for multiple expanding wilds to manifest simultaneously.

The TNT box is another significant symbol in the base game. Once it appears, it detonates, transforming itself and up to three random symbols into wilds. With each explosion, one of the meters beside the reels illuminates. Achieving a cascade sequence of three TNT symbols awards 8 free spins.

During the free spins round, you find yourself in what appears to be a dilapidated underground mine. Two additional locked rows are introduced to the two locked reels, along with a conveyor belt positioned at the top, carrying safes and empty spaces. As soon as a win occurs, the belt shifts one position to the left. If a safe occupies the empty frame on the left, a modifier is added. There are four safes of different colors and effects.

• Orange – boosts the current multiplier by up to x3.
• Blue – introduces 3 random wilds.
• Green – grants up to 5 additional free spins.
• Red – unlocks a maximum of 2 secured positions on the extra rows.

Unlocking all 6 rows in the game unleashes an impressive 7,776 ways to win. However, it is worth noting that Iron Dog has chosen not to include a bonus buy option for Western Wilds.

Bonus Features in Western Wilds

The Avalanching Wins feature is present in both the base and bonus games. Following a winning spin, the grid clears the symbols that contributed to the win, making room for new symbols to fill the void. This captivating cascade of symbols continues until no new winning combinations emerge.

As the name implies, Wilds play a pivotal role in the gameplay. Iron Dog has incorporated two types of sticky Wilds symbols: regular and expanding Wilds. Both act as substitutes for regular symbols, assisting players in forming winning combinations.

Tumbling Reels feature

Whenever you achieve a winning combination locked reels, the symbols involved are removed, making way for new symbols to drop into the vacated spaces. This gives you another chance to win. The tumbling reels feature keeps the excitement going as long as new wins keep forming.

Expanding Wilds feature

The symbol of the gold safe serves as the first enjoy expanding wilds in this game. Once it lands on any of the middle 3 reels, it triggers the Expanding Wilds feature, causing the wild to expand and turn the entire reel (or reels) wild.

TNT feature

When a TNT symbol lands, it detonates, transforming the TNT into either a standard or expanding wild. This explosive chain reaction can trigger additional explosions, leading to up to 3 symbols turning into wilds.

Free Spins feature

Each time a TNT symbol detonates, it fills a space in the meter to the right of the reels. By accumulating three TNT blasts in a single set of tumbles, you will activate the Free Spins feature. This will reward you with eight free spins, which will take place on a fresh set of reels.

Above the reels, a conveyor belt showcases vacant spots and safes of various colors. Whenever you achieve a winning combination, the conveyor belt shifts one position to the left. If the leftmost position contains a safe, you will receive a modifier.

• Blue Safe = 3 randomly added wilds
• Orange Safe = this boosts the current multiplier value by up to 3x
• Green Safe = awards up to 5 extra free spins
• Red Safe = unlocks up to 2 currently locked positions on a reel

Unlocking all positions on the grid allows you to play on a machine with 5 reels, 6 rows, and an impressive 7,776 ways to win.

How To Play

To get started playing Western Wilds, follow these simple steps:

1. Once the game loads, click on the question mark symbol located in the bottom left-hand corner of the reels. This will allow you to review the paytable and get a detailed understanding of the rules.
2. To customize the game’s settings, click on the menu button in the upper left-hand corner.
3. Adjust your wager by clicking on the button next to the menu. You have the flexibility to bet anywhere between 0.10 coins and 50 coins per spin.
4. Explore the autoplay options to set loss and win limits according to your preferences.
5. Finally, hit the spin button and enjoy the game!

Western Wilds: Verdict

Despite its relatively high volatility, Western Wilds appears to be a lightweight slot. This can be attributed to the cartoon-style graphics, a common characteristic of many games by Iron Dog Studio. They often choose weighty themes like barbarians or pirates and present them in a whimsical manner. While looks aren’t everything, they do make a difference, and Western Wilds fails to evoke the same intense, no-nonsense atmosphere found in other western-themed slots such as Money Train 2 or Deadwood.

However, it’s not an unattractive game; it simply lacks the ruggedness and sophistication of some of its competitors. Nevertheless, some players may appreciate its more subdued approach. The soundtrack is also quite enjoyable. There’s something about the Western twang that makes playing these games a real delight.

When it comes to gameplay, Western Wilds takes it up a notch. While the base game may not be overly exciting, there are occasional moments when a cluster of wilds leads to a decent win, keeping you engaged. To achieve big wins, you’ll need to land three elusive TNT symbols. Two of these symbols appear frequently in a sequence, teasing you with a win. Triggering free spins can completely turn the game around.

While Western Wilds’ bonus feature may not match the intensity of some competitors, it still possesses the potential to impress. Iron Dog Studio has a knack for crafting bonus games that resonate with specific players, and Western Wilds has the potential to do just that. The seamless flow of modifiers on the rolling conveyor, especially when an unexpected multiplier appears to enhance a win, adds to the excitement. Within this feature, players have the opportunity to achieve the game’s maximum potential payout of 6,500 times the stake.

Although Western Wilds may not offer the same level of excitement as the prominent contenders in its category, it still holds its own. The base game delivers thrilling moments through its various wild west side features, while the extensive free spins, thanks to cascades and modifiers, make you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. Iron Dog Studio slots have a knack for surprising certain players, and it’s possible that Western Wilds will strike a chord too.

Western Wilds Slot FAQs

Charles Watson

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