Dead or Alive 2

Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt): Review

Editor's note : see our Dead or Alive 2 Feature buy Read the article to learn more about the game's bonus purchase feature.

The original Dead or Alive It's hard to find someone in the gaming community who hasn't heard of this slot. Introduced back in May 2009, it quickly ascended to iconic status and remains highly popular today. In fact, when reviewing the statistics for top-performing games in certain casinos, Dead or Alive secured the 11th position—a noteworthy accomplishment for a slot nearing its decade mark!

With the conclusion of the Flash era, Dead or Alive was transitioned to the modern HTML5 format. While this change sparked debate among players, with some claiming the game's features had been toned down or 'nerfed' by NetEnt, the company has firmly stated that no alterations were made to the game's mathematical structure. popular articles The transition to HTML5 seems to have had minimal effect on the game's standing or fame. NetEnt has consistently refuted claims of any changes.

Although the sequel introduces fresh elements, it retains many hallmarks of the original game. The recognized industry RTP of 96.8% persists, as does the familiar 5-reel, 9-payline structure. The settings evoke nostalgia, providing seasoned players with a sense of familiarity. Players will find themselves in the main thoroughfare of a classic western town at dusk, but the grand finale unfolds across various locations while the historical saloon remains open for business. The free spins feature, allowing players to select from three variations, stands out as the most significant departure from the original.

The timeless retro aesthetics of the original hold an evocative allure for many, but the crisp high-definition visuals and cinematic sequences of Dead or Alive 2 are truly remarkable. While the reel symbols pay homage to their predecessors, they have been artistically updated. Alongside the staple card royals A to 10, more lucrative symbols like whiskey bottles, boots, cowboy hats, revolvers, and sheriff's badges appear, the latter awarding a rewarding 100 times your stake when five land across a full line. Five outlaws represent the wild symbols, substituting for all but the scatter symbols. Like its predecessor, Dead or Alive 2 offers a Scatter win jackpot—hit 5 scatters in the base game to receive 2,500 times your initial wager.

Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt): Features

Gamblers have the option to bypass the base game and dive directly into the Free Spins feature using the feature buy mechanism or by landing 3 or more scatter symbols on the reels. Once activated, players choose from three distinctive games, each with varying levels of volatility: Old Saloon, High Noon Saloon, and Train Heist.

• Train Heist : This mode features a growing multiplier. Each time a wild symbol appears, the multiplier increments by 1, and an extra spin is granted. Upon reaching a 16x multiplier, an additional 5 free spins are awarded.
• Old Saloon : This mode remains fundamentally aligned with the original Dead or Alive. Here, all wins receive a 2x multiplier, and any wild that lands sticks in place for the duration of the feature. Catching all five outlaws rewards you with five more spins.
• High Noon : Among the three options, High Noon is the most unpredictable, leveraging NetEnt's 'MAX' concept. It boasts an incredible maximum win potential of over 100,000 times the stake, setting records as the most lucrative non-jackpot slot. Prepare for a wild ride! It carries over the features of Old Saloon free spins, but with a twist—landing multiple wilds multiplies them. For instance, two wilds result in a 2x multiplier, and three become 3x.

Around late 2020, NetEnt rolled out a new bonus buy version of Dead or Alive 2. Where permitted, players can opt to 'buy the bonus' for roughly 66 times their bet, which guarantees 3 scatter symbols on the first three reels, with a shot at landing all five.

Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt): Verdict

NetEnt wisely decided to present both the original and the latest rendition together. This decision allows gamers to enjoy both experiences, though the three different free spins games will alter the RTP distribution, meaning it won’t be the exact same gameplay as the original DoA.

Commemorating a decade of Dead or Alive, NetEnt has created a follow-up that upholds and enhances the brand's legacy. The MAX concept shines here, with Dead or Alive 2 as one of the few titles where reaching the full potential is achievable.

Initially approaching this review concerned that NetEnt might harm the original's integrity, we finished invigorated and ready for another round. Apache, Billy, Belle, Della, and Jesse, we're coming back!