Hellcatraz Slot Review
Introducing “Hellcatraz,” a cutting-edge casino slot game developed by the renowned software provider, Relax Gaming. Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of America’s infamous prison island, Alcatraz. Explore the pixelated graphics that harken back to the golden age of 8-bit gaming, with visuals that transport you to the late 80s, when consoles like the legendary Nintendo Entertainment System reigned supreme. Get ready to escape the prison and win big in Hellcatraz!
At sunset, Alcatraz can be quite the scene with a variety of elements such as sharks, handcuffs, a police officer, and a villain. It feels similar to the slot game Cops and Robbers Millionaires Row. The villain’s main objective is to escape and will run towards the free spins feature after collecting enough keys. The game grid is 6×6 and features Mystery Symbols that can explode and reveal the same symbol, generating cascading wins. The Mystery Symbols have different counters, depending on the volatility level selected, either the highly volatile Mixed Mode or the super highly volatile Lockdown Mode. Regardless of the chosen mode, the game offers an impressive maximum win of 51,840x the original bet.
Relax Gaming’s Hellcatraz is an online video slot game that features six reels and six rows, offering players up to 46,656 ways to win. The minimum bet amount is 0.1, while the maximum bet amount is 20. Depending on the mode being played, the game’s RTP slightly varies, with Lockdown Mode offering 96.46% and Mixed Mode offering 96.30%.
Breaking free from Alcatraz can be an insurmountable challenge but with the right tools, it’s not impossible. Look no further than the enticing array of game features at your disposal, including the Wild Symbol, the Cascading Wins mechanic, the strategic Choose Mode option, the Mystery Reveal Feature, the lucrative Super Free Spins, and the Bonus Buy feature. With these tools in your arsenal, you just might be able to beat the odds and break out of Alcatraz.
Hellcatraz Gameplay
Although the prisoners at Alcatraz followed strict daily routines, none of that organization can be observed in the slot game developed by Relax Gaming. The developers aimed to create an engaging game with numerous features that would captivate players.
The central aspect of the game is the cascading symbol mechanism. When the spin sequence starts, symbols fall onto six fixed reels that offer 46,656 ways to win. Any winning combinations will break and disappear, allowing more symbols to drop into place. This can potentially trigger a series of cascading wins, and the process continues if additional winning combinations occur after each cascade.
Players are presented with two game modes to choose from before spinning the reels, and these modes affect the Mystery Reveal symbols. These symbols appear on every spin and are assigned a countdown number between 1 and 5. The countdown decreases by one with each winning cascade during a spin sequence. If a Mystery Reveal symbol reaches zero, it will reveal a common pay symbol. This outcome is desirable if achieved before the spin sequence ends. However, if the Mystery Reveal symbols do not reach zero before the spin sequence ends, they act as blockers on the reels and limit the number of possible ways to win.
The game has two modes: Mixed Mode with high volatility and Lockdown Mode with extreme volatility. In Mixed Mode, two independent counter values are assigned to each mystery symbol, which may be the same. In Lockdown Mode, all mystery symbols have the same counter value.
The Super Free Spins round is the main feature of the game and offers the opportunity to win up to 51,840x your bet. To trigger this bonus round, also known as Escape from Hellcatraz, you need to collect 2,000 keys in the Key Collector located on the left side of the game window (for the desktop version). Keys randomly appear attached to pay symbols and can add between 1 and 10 keys to the meter for each occurrence. Once you collect enough keys, you will receive 5 Super Free Spins. The round is played at the average bet used during the collection period.
During free spins, any mystery symbols that appear on the reels will reveal a single symbol immediately, regardless of which game mode was active during the key collection. Additionally, golden mystery symbols have the potential to appear on any spin. To receive an additional super free spin, players must achieve at least two winning cascades within the same spin sequence, with no limit on the number of possible super free spins.
By selecting the Buy Feature option, you can acquire a round of Super Free Spins for 200x your initial bet. Alternatively, you can utilize the keys that you have collected and buy the remaining number of keys required to reach the minimum threshold of 2,000 keys. In this scenario, the feature will be played at an average bet size that corresponds to the bets placed during the key collection process and the purchase of the additional keys.
This game offers two volatility settings, Mixed Mode and Lockdown Mode, both of which promotes a high volatility gaming experience, with the Lockdown Mode being the higher variance of the two. Mixed Mode has a Return to Player (RTP) of 96.46%, while Lockdown Mode has a variance of 96.3%. The game advertises a maximum payout of 51,840x. In summary, this slot is designed for high-risk players and may result in frustrating sessions, but it can also offer exceptional payouts triggered by stunning events.
Consider these factors before selecting your stake. If you have a limited budget, it is advisable to opt for the minimum stake of 20p per spin, although there are alternatives available at higher levels.
Hellcatraz Additional Features
The Hellcatraz slot is unique not only in its design but also in its gameplay. One unusual feature is the game engine, which includes cascading reels that can unveil special mystery symbols. Additionally, the free spins round is triggered in an unorthodox manner, adding to the excitement. Let’s first examine the game engine configuration.
Cascading Reels Feature
In the Hellcatraz slot game, achieving a triumphant combination triggers a thrilling cascade effect. This unique feature removes the symbols involved in the win, causing new ones to cascade into place. This exciting process continues until no additional winning combinations are formed, providing players with the potential for an extended gameplay experience.
Mystery Reveal Feature
With every rotation, concealed symbols emerge onto the reels. These symbols possess counters that decrease with each winning cascade. Once the counter hits zero, the enigma is unlocked, and all enigmatic symbols transform into a single type of symbol.
Key Collector
Be on the lookout for certain symbols that can appear randomly on top of regular symbols while playing both the base game and free spins. These symbols, known as key symbols, can grant a varying number of keys, which can range from 1 to 10.
Super Free Spins Rules
To activate this feature, you need to collect 2,000 keys. Once you hit the mark, you’ll be awarded five Super Free Spins. But that’s not all – during these spins, you’ll be introduced to a special symbol – the Golden Mystery Symbol.
The Golden Mystery Symbol works uniquely – it appears on the reels and requires two winning cascades to transform into a random symbol. But that’s not all – once the transformation occurs, you’ll also receive an additional spin. It’s the perfect way to boost your chances of winning big!
Moreover, you’ll notice that Mystery symbols come with a 0 countdown, which means that they always transform into the same symbol. So, keep your eyes peeled for these symbols and watch your winnings soar!
Buy Feature Game Rule
In this game, you have the option to purchase a free spin feature using one of two methods. The first method involves paying 200 times your chosen bet size to purchase the entire feature. This purchase will not impact your key collection progress.
Alternatively, you can choose the “top-up” feature purchase option, which allows you to pay 0.1 times your chosen bet size for each key needed to complete your collection. This option is useful for players who grow tired of collecting keys and would rather spend their time spinning. It is important to note that using the top-up feature purchase will reset your key collection progress.
Hellcatraz Design
Upon examining the authentic and complimentary Hellcatraz slot game, it becomes evident that everything within them is presented in a pixelated format. This includes all elements, ranging from the symbols to the characters. Even the background of the game features a 2D platformer theme, depicting prisoners navigating around the prison while attempting to evade captivity. If Age of Discovery slot game is up your aleey, you may very well enjoy this particular game.
The auditory backdrop seamlessly aligns with the intended atmosphere by employing muted audio and uncomplicated sounds. The music bears a striking resemblance to “Tracker” style compositions, which some contemporary artists continue to utilize as a distinct genre. Furthermore, the sound effects employed when uncovering Enigmas or acquiring keys harken back to classic arcade games.
Hellcatraz boasts a nostalgic charm that evokes fond memories for those who have had the pleasure of playing 8-bit Atari games in the 80s or have experienced online simulations of similar retro-style games. The 6×6 reel grid is set against the impressive backdrop of a mock-San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline, offering a delightful visual treat. The transition from day to night as the game progresses from the base game to the bonus round is a standout feature, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay.
The slot machine’s lower-value symbols feature the classic card suit icons – spades, clubs, diamonds, and hearts. Premium symbols are more intriguing and themed, including a dubious-looking crime boss, a stern prison officer, a watchful prison guard, a pair of handcuffs, the guard’s badge, and even a shark (representing a failed escape attempt!). Out of all these, the prison officer symbol holds the highest value, with a payout of 2x for six symbols aligned on a pay line. And don’t forget about the game’s Wild symbol, represented by the letter “W,” which has the power to substitute for any other symbol to help create those winning lines.
The buttons controlling the slot machine can be found on all sides of the reels, ensuring ease of access for players. The spin button is located on the right-hand side, while the autoplay feature can be found below it. The autoplay function enables players to spin the reels automatically without needing to set a bet each time.
To adjust their bet, players can access the line icon located below the reels. Here, they can change either the number of coins or the coin value size, enabling them to make more specific and personalized bets.
Above the reels, players will find the main menu, which houses the rules and overall settings. Whether playing for free or with real money, these settings will remain consistent throughout the demo
Hellcatraz Summary
Hellcatraz stands out as a unique and innovative slot game in an industry saturated with clones. Unlike many Megaways games that feature Mystery Symbol features as mere afterthoughts, in Hellcatraz, they play a crucial role. These symbols are seamlessly integrated into the Cascading Wins of the base game and are essential to unlocking bigger wins during the free spins round. Familiarize yourself with how they work early on, as they will be key to your success.
One of the most exciting aspects of Hellcatraz is its gamification element. It may take some time to accumulate the necessary 2,000 keys, but the reward is well worth it. Keep in mind that this is a high-variance game, so responsible gambling is essential regardless of which mode you choose to play.
