Wanted Dead or a Wild is an exciting online casino slot game developed by the renowned gaming provider, Wazdan. Released in 2020, this high-energy game has gained massive popularity among players for its engaging theme, immersive gameplay, and thrilling features. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into every aspect of Wanted Dead or a Wild, exploring its design, symbols, payouts, wilds, scatters, bonus features, free spins, RTP, volatility, betting range, max win, gameplay, mobile play, player experience, and overall analysis.
Theme and Design
Wanted Dead or a Wild is set in the American Old West, transporting site players to a time of cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen. The game’s background is designed to resemble an old Western town, complete with wooden buildings, dusty streets, and tumbleweeds blowing across the screen. The reels are framed by ornate metalwork, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design.
The 5×3 grid layout features high-quality graphics, with each symbol meticulously crafted to evoke the era’s rustic charm. From wanted posters and cowboy hats to sheriff badges and six-shooters, every detail is carefully considered to immerse players in the world of Wanted Dead or a Wild. The game’s music and sound effects are equally impressive, capturing the essence of the Old West with eerie howls, horse whinnies, and gunfire.
Symbols
The game features an array of 10 symbols, each contributing to its exciting gameplay:
- Wild : A sheriff badge serves as the game’s Wild symbol, substituting for all other icons except Scatter.
- Scatter : The wanted poster with a menacing outlaw is the game’s Scatter symbol, triggering free spins and bonus features when three or more land on adjacent reels.
- High-value symbols (from highest to lowest): 1) Sheriff (7x), 2) Outlaw (6x), 3) Dynamite (5x), 4) Cowboy Hat (4x)
- Low-value symbols : Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten
These symbols are not only visually appealing but also contribute significantly to the game’s payout structure.
Payouts
Wanted Dead or a Wild offers an impressive payout range of x500 for 5 identical high-paying symbols. The scatter symbol pays out x25 for three in combination with a high-value symbol. While these payouts may seem modest compared to other slots, they are more than compensated by the game’s numerous bonus features and thrilling gameplay.
Wilds
The Wild sheriff badge is an essential component of the game, appearing on reels 2-5 during regular spins. This dynamic feature enables players to create winning combinations with multiple high-value symbols, significantly boosting their chances of landing a substantial payout.
Scatters
Landing three or more Scatter wanted posters triggers a series of bonus features:
- Free Spins : A random number between 7 and 10 free spins is awarded, allowing players to continue gameplay without wagers.
- Rapid Fire Feature : The Rapid Fire feature activates during the Free Spins round, multiplying all wins by x5 for each consecutive win.
The Scatter’s potential for triggering bonus features makes it a vital component of Wanted Dead or a Wild.
Bonus Features
Besides the previously mentioned Rapid Fire and Free Spin triggers, this game has two other unique bonus features:
- Super Collection : A mysterious bag containing one to four high-value symbols is randomly collected, adding an extra layer of excitement during regular gameplay.
- Sticky Win : Sticky wins occur when a winning combination forms with the participation of a Wild or Scatter symbol; these sticky symbols remain in place until no more winning combinations can be formed.
These features not only add variety to gameplay but also multiply winnings through the game’s impressive payout structure.
Free Spins
Triggered by three or more Scatters, free spins are an excellent way for players to continue gaming without placing additional bets. The random Free Spin award of between 7 and 10 rounds offers a fresh chance at substantial wins. Moreover, these spins come with the added bonus features mentioned above, increasing their overall value.
RTP (Return to Player) and Volatility
Wanted Dead or a Wild has an RTP (Return to Player) percentage of around 96%, which is relatively standard for slot games from Wazdan. This figure indicates that the game returns approximately $0.96 in winnings per dollar invested, making it a fair bet.
The volatility level of this game can be classified as medium-high; due to its generous payout structure and potential bonus features, players may experience more frequent wins but often smaller than they would at games with lower volatility.
Betting Range
Players have the option to choose their stakes from £0.10 up to a maximum bet of £100 per spin. Given that each coin has an equal value (i.e., all symbols are valued equally), there is no need for variable stake options, and players can adjust their wagers according to their budget.
Max Win
The highest possible payout in Wanted Dead or a Wild amounts to x500 of the initial bet placed when five identical high-paying symbols land on adjacent reels. Considering its medium-high volatility level, this maximum win may seem substantial but not excessively so compared to other slots with higher variance.
Gameplay and Controls
Wanted Dead or a Wild boasts an immersive gameplay experience that draws players into the game’s world of lawmen and outlaws. Key features such as Fast Play, Quick Spin, and Turbo Mode make it possible for experienced gamblers to speed up gameplay if desired.
The buttons below the reels allow for simple control over gameplay:
- Bet : Displays current bet value
- Autoplay : Enables automatic spins with options for a minimum of 10 up to 100 auto-spins.
- Turbo Spin : Reduces animations and boosts spin speeds for fast-paced players
While these controls are fairly standard in modern slots, they enhance gameplay by allowing experienced gamers to set their preferred playstyle.
Mobile Play
Wanted Dead or a Wild is fully optimized for mobile gaming on both iOS and Android devices. Players can easily download the game from app stores or access it directly through the Wazdan website, offering seamless transition between desktop and mobile experiences.
Player Experience
The Old West theme creates an engaging environment that immerses players in a lawless frontier world filled with gunslinging cowboys and nefarious outlaws. Throughout its gameplay experience, Wanted Dead or a Wild incorporates innovative features like rapid-fire bonuses and sticky symbols to provide an action-packed ride for those willing to take the risks.
Players looking for more than your average slot game will find themselves immersed in this 5×3 grid layout that offers both high-risk payouts as well as unpredictable rewards from the randomly-activated bonus round, Wilds, and a dynamic scatter system. Overall analysis reveals Wanted Dead or a Wild presents an ideal option for players willing to engage in thrilling gameplay with rewarding possibilities.
While certain design aspects might feel repetitive or too formulaic compared to other modern slots, the captivating nature of this slot lies within its dynamic gameplay, responsive controls, user-friendly mobile compatibility and engaging overall theme.
