Hacksaw’s Wanted Dead or a Wild is a western-themed slot game released in 2024. This 5×5 game features a new DuelReels mechanic, a more immersive variation of the expanding reel mechanic. With a 96.38% RTP, 15 pay lines, and high volatility, the hit frequency adds up to 19.36%. The compensation is provided by the three thematic free spins rounds (Great Train Robbery, Duel at Dawn, and Dead Man’s Hand), where wins are huge.
The max win is 12,500x. Engaging and rich in bonus features, Wanted Dead or a Wild would appeal to fans of modern video slots.
My Opinion
I’ve been playing Wanted Dead or a Wild for fun since it came out in September 2024. I shared my impressions of the online game below.
Shooting it Out in the Base Game
I have to say the dry spells from the extremely high volatility play were testing. Hope broke through when I landed a VS symbol along with winning combinations. That’s when the DuelReels awarded me with one of two multipliers, resulting in huge wins. I regularly won $50+, $254 once, with a $2 bet. I’ve seen such base-game winning potential only with high-paying slots like Fox Fire.
How the Three Free Spins Rounds Felt
Each special feature gave me 10 FS, but they had different mechanics. Here’s what they were about:
The Train Robbery feature (80x cost via Bonus Buy) had medium volatility and sticky wilds, like in the Dead or Alive slot machine. I liked that the wilds landed often.
The Duel at Dawn feature (200x cost) took the DuelReels to the next level. It had a very high volatility and landed VS symbols with boosted multipliers (up to 100x). I liked the increased intensity of this round.
Lastly, I found the Dead Man’s Hand (400x) to be the best part of the game. It felt like a Sugar Rush but was even more profitable. I won $530 with it once.
Who is the Game For?
I think the feature depth and fancy animations would definitely appeal to younger players with steady nerves.
