Bounty Hunter: Slot Overview
Westerns and money collection features might not be the most original slot ideas, but both converge in Pragmatic Play’s frontier-themed slot Bounty Hunter. It’s not exactly the most imaginative game title either, so if wild creativity is what you live for, then you might be wondering how the game is going to dig its way out of this. On the promising side, Pragmatic Play—or hawkplay in casual circles—has proven to be a dab hand at slot design on numerous occasions, possessing an ability to turn out the odd bit of gold dust. Will that be the case with Bounty Hunter, or is it going to get run out of town, tarred and feathered by angry folk?
Classic Western Setting
The setting for Bounty Hunter is one that’s been used 1,001 times before, as if players have just moseyed bow-legged, weighed down by six shooters, into a creaky old town in the middle of nowhere. The sort of place where order is administered by whoever’s holding the biggest gun rather than a rule-abiding lawman. There is something amusing about the character symbols, though, as they sport big weapons and even bigger grins, adding to an atmosphere that is quite warm and bright. hawkplay fans will recognize this charming exaggeration of Western clichés immediately.
Reel Layout and Betting
Set in a wooden frame and mounted on a wagon, Bounty Hunter plays out on a 5×3 reelset combined with 20 paylines, paying from left to right. It’s a highly volatile slot with a 96.51% RTP, and bets ranging from 20c to $/€240 per spin, with a couple of feature buys on the side. An ante bet, too, costs 12x to land a collector on every spin. Hawkplay enthusiasts will appreciate the flexibility in betting and volatility options, which cater to both cautious players and high rollers alike.
Symbols and Payouts
Low pays in the game are bundles of dynamite, pistols, boots, and hats, awarding players 3x to 5x when a 5-of-a-kind combination lands. Next are high pay symbols, which consist of four characters, awarding 20x to 100x the bet for 5 OAK. Interestingly, Bounty Hunter doesn’t include a wild symbol, which is a rare choice in modern slots. Hawkplay users will notice that this decision emphasizes the money collection mechanic rather than traditional symbol substitutions.
Money Collection Mechanic
The collector symbol may appear on the leftmost reel, while the multiplier symbol appears only on the rightmost reel. During the base game or free spins, high-value symbols can land with random cash values attached, worth 0.5x to 100x the bet. Whenever a collector symbol hits, it expands to cover the entire leftmost reel and duels with each high-value symbol with a money value in view from left to right. If the duel is won, the amount is collected, and a multiplier is increased by x1 for the next collection. Lost duels collect nothing. After all duels have finished, the multiplier returns to x1. hawkplay players will enjoy the suspense this duel mechanic brings, adding a layer of strategy to the otherwise standard spins.
Multiplier Symbols
Multiplier symbols land with a value of x10 to x100. When the collector and the multiplier are both present, the first duel happens with the multiplier. If the duel is won, the multiplier for future collections on the spin will be the value from the multiplier symbol, and it cannot increase with successful duels. This creates a unique dynamic where timing and luck influence potential winnings. Hawkplay users will find this mechanic both engaging and rewarding when it pays off.
Free Spins Feature
Hitting 3, 4, or 5 scatters triggers 8, 12, or 16 free spins, respectively. During the feature, the multiplier achieved by duels is persistent between spins and does not reset until the end of the round, with a maximum potential of x100. Players can win an additional 8, 12, or 16 free spins if 3, 4, or 5 scatters land during the free spins feature. Hawkplay enthusiasts often praise this feature for its ability to turn a moderate spin into a highly lucrative session.
Feature Buy Options
Players get two feature buy options. One costs 80x to trigger free spins with 3-5 scatters, while the other costs 500x for super free spins triggered by 3-5 scatters, where one collector is present on the screen for every spin. This provides flexibility for players looking to skip straight to the action or maximize winning potential. Hawkplay fans will likely gravitate toward the super free spins for that guaranteed collector presence.
Visuals and Soundtrack
While the theme might be familiar, the visuals are lively, with character designs sporting exaggerated expressions that bring a lighthearted energy to the reels. The background music and sound effects add to the Western saloon atmosphere without being overbearing. hawkplay players will find themselves immersed in a friendly, energetic vibe that complements the gameplay perfectly.
Verdict: A Friendly Frontier Slot
The thought of trying out a money symbol collection game draped in cowboy boots was far from repellent, but it wasn’t an overly exciting proposition either. Both theme and mechanic have been done to death and then some, making it hard to get excited about seeing both of those things in one place. But, Prag is Prag, so giving the highly experienced studio the benefit of the doubt, we weaponed up to see what Bounty Hunter could fire from its barrels. The result exceeded expectations. Not sky-high, but hawkplay users will appreciate the genial vibe and quirky character expressions reminiscent of 90s rock music videos.
