The Haunted Circus

The Haunted Circus: Overview

Originating from Malta, the developer Hacksaw Gaming continues to expand their game selection with yet another slot. Initially recognized for online scratch cards, they impressively transitioned into creating slots with their delightful first release. Stick ‘Em Since then, Hacksaw Gaming has ambitiously grown, creating some of the largest fixed jackpots available today. Their prior creation managed to capture the audience's attention and became quite popular. Cubes In keeping with their line of work, The Haunted Circus boasts an intriguing premise centered around its fixed jackpot. Though not the biggest, it's quite substantial and sure to catch the eye of many aspiring gamblers. The question remains: does the game captivate its players, or does it fall short?

Whether you view it on a PC or a mobile device in landscape mode, the 5-reel, 4-row layout gives the feeling of peeking through an enigmatic keyhole. Alternatively, it feels like you're in a gradual haze, reminiscent of an old Victorian circus, complete with mustachioed strongmen lifting weights effortlessly.

Initially, detecting the haunting aspect of the game can be tricky. The Haunted Circus isn't designed for sudden scares; the eeriness is understated. During the base game, beyond the unsettling soundtrack and some animated symbols, not much uncanny happens. The atmosphere amplifies in the bonus game, yet the overall presentation remains aesthetically appealing, with the unique theme and excellent audio gradually growing on you.

This game comes with intriguing figures, so let's delve into its primary stats. With a focus on being a jackpot slot, its RTP stands at 94.83%. While low, it is justifiable considering the lucrative prize. The volatility is marked as medium to high, rated 4 out of 5 by Hacksaw themselves, coupled with a notably high hit rate of 36.35%.

To partake in this thrilling experience, bets ranging from 20 pennies to 100 currency units per spin are set. The main game expects players to align winning sequences from left to right beginning with the first reel. Any row works, providing a robust 1,024 possibilities for a win.

The symbols offered include a mix of 10-A royals styled in a circus/Wild West manner, transforming cleverly when part of winning sequences. Higher value symbols include characters like a bearded lady, a green clown, a snake-charmer, concluding with a strongman. Value measures are unconventional as all low and high pays share similar values ranging from 0.5x to 2.5x.

The relatively low symbol values can be attributed to the functionality of the wilds. When a wild contributes to a winning line, it transforms into a multiplier of x2, x3, x4, or x5. Multiple active multipliers compound values instead of summing them, leading to a potential peak of 625x. Let's uncover what other surprises lie within the game.

While the circus itself is amusing, the excitement truly lies beyond its boundary. Landing 3 or more bonus scatter symbols transports you to an eerie wooded setting, revealing the bonus wheel.

The Haunted Circus: Features

This bonus wheel consists of 3 escalating tiers offering increasing prize values. Rewards include free spins, a cash win multiplier, or advancing with arrow symbols. Achieving 3 consecutive arrows yields the grand €2.5 million jackpot. The bonus game has odds of being triggered 1 in 93.

Landing a multiplier results in a fixed payout, reverting you to the main game. However, hit free spins, and you're back in action with additional wild multipliers and a new scatter symbol joining the reels. Land 3 scatter symbols for 5 more free spins, retriggerable up to 10 times. The chance to activate free spins during the bonus wheel is about 1 in 247.

Progressing from scratch cards to creating top-tier fixed payouts is a notable journey. While €2.5 million isn't the very highest jackpot, it's compelling enough to make winning it reconsider one's daily routine.

The Haunted Circus: Verdict

If targeting jackpots is your primary focus, lesser aspects of the game may not significantly matter. This might be favorable as the rest of the experience is relatively standard. The primary game continues with its two win levels and multiplying wilds, but lacks extensive excitement or innovation. The Haunted Circus might be Hacksaw Gaming's most typical game, showcasing less eccentricity than usual.

Positively, achieving a payout up to 10,000 times your bet is phenomenal for a smaller developer. The Haunted Circus is a high-stakes experience, offering either massive wins or a subdued session. Nonetheless, its potential is significant, and its execution strong, making it a viable pick for those chasing big-time fortunes, akin to other major jackpot slots.

The Haunted Circus diverges from Hacksaw Gaming's distinct style, making it less captivating than their usual offerings.