Shadow Strike

Shadow Strike: Slot Overview

Hacksaw Gaming partner Backseat Gaming busts out the 'hi-yahs!' for its martial arts-themed online slot Shadow Strike. Hopefully, you've been brushing up on your kung fu for this one, as it warns players, 'prepare to strike, or be stricken!' We're guessing no one wants to be stricken, and there are numerous ways to at least attempt striking, such as in Shadow Strike's three different bonus rounds or via its clutch of feature buys.

Win or lose, Shadow Strike has picked a picturesque place for showdowns to occur. It's set in an exotic Asian spot, where gentle music plinks in the background, and a gaming grid sits nestled within a curved roof structure. We're out in the middle of nature for this one; perhaps quiet solitude is conducive to practising katas or something. A myriad of special features and a connection to Hacksaw Gaming, in general, mean Shadow Strike probably won't stay quiet for long, though. The busier the better, really, from a gambler's point of view.

Played on a 5-reel gaming grid, you'll notice that for much of the time, the top two rows are locked, while the main 4-row grid is active. The two outer rows are Ninja Reels, and we'll get to them shortly. Before then, know that Shadow Strike has 14 paylines evaluating wins, and it takes wagers of 10 cents to $/€100 per spin, selectable on the recognisably Hacksaw UI. Five ways to play are available at the bonus buy, as well, while the general volatility is in the medium-high range (4.5 out of 5).

The 4 low pay symbols depict 4 kinds of weapons, whereas the high pays show 4 different warrior symbols. Hitting a line of 5 lows awards 2 to 5 times the bet, while 5 of the same warrior symbol pays 7.5 to 20 times the bet. When wilds are in view on the grid, they're able to substitute for all of the regular paying symbols. Since wilds can land on all reels, a line of 5 of them is worth 20 times the stake.

Shadow Strike: Slot Features

First on the extensive list of features, we've got Ninja Reels. Above and below the main reels are 2 extra Ninja Reels. When they are unlocked, Ninja Reels are able to introduce wilds, MultiSplit, and +FS symbols. The other symbols on Ninja Reels are non-paying dead symbols. In the base game, both Ninja Reels are locked at the start of each spin and become unlocked if any of the 3 different bonus symbols land on the main grid.

Wild Symbol

When a wild symbol lands on a Ninja Reel, it creates a new wild symbol in a random position on the corresponding main reel. Wild symbols that land or are created on the main grid have a chance of getting a multiplier of x2 to x50. If more than one wild symbol is part of the same winning combination, the multiplier values are added before being applied.

MultiSplit Symbol

These symbols land only on a Ninja Reel displaying a multiplier of x2 to x50. When a MultiSplit appears, it multiplies the multiplier value of all wild symbols on its corresponding reel on the main grid. If a MultiSplit passes over a wild that does not have a multiplier value, the MultiSplit's multiplier value is added to the wild.

The Mysteries of the Dojo Bonus Game

Players get 10, 12, or 14 free Mysteries of the Dojo free spins by landing 3, 4, or 5 Dojo Bonus scatters in the base game, respectively. During this bonus, both Ninja Reels are unlocked on every spin. Wild symbols that land or are created on the main grid remain sticky. Landing a +FS symbol on a Ninja Reels grants +1-3 free spins per symbol.

The Secrets of the Scroll Bonus Game

Hitting 3, 4, or 5 Scroll scatters in the base game awards 10, 12, or 14 free spins as part of this feature, respectively. Both Ninja Reels are unlocked for the entirety as well, but here, wilds on the main grid expand to become full reel wilds. landing a +FS symbol on a Ninja Reels grants +1-3 free spins per symbol.

The Wisdom of the Koi Bonus Game

Triggered by landing 3 Koi scatter symbols in the base game, this bonus is played in 2 phases. First is the Collection Phase, which starts with 3 lives, and only non-winning, wild, multiplier, or MultiSplit symbols appear on the main grid. Lives reset when a new wild, multiplier, or MultiSplit symbol lands. Following 3 non-winning spins, the phase ends. Above each reel is a multiplier starting on x1. By landing multiplier symbols, the reel multipliers above them are increased. Also, below the main grid is a Ninja Reel which is initially locked. Each locked position can be unlocked for the Payout Phase by landing a MultiSplit on the main grid's corresponding reel.

Next is the Payout Phase, where 3 final spins are awarded. All collected wilds land randomly on the main grid on each spin. Each wild has a multiplier corresponding to its reel multiplier. Unlocked positions on the bottom Ninja Reel can also reveal MultiSplit symbols to boost the multipliers of wild symbols.

Bonus Buy

Special features can be bought from the bonus buy, such as the following, which are all highly volatile:

• BonusHunt FeatureSpins - 2x the bet, each spin is 3 times more likely to trigger a bonus game. RTP 96.27%.
• Ninja Power FeatureSpins - 50x the bet, where 2-5 wilds are guaranteed on the top Ninja Reel and at least 1 MultiSplit on the bottom Ninja Reel. RTP 96.31%.
• The Mysteries of the Dojo Bonus Game - 100x the bet. RTP 96.34%.
• The Secrets of the Scroll Bonus Game - 150x the bet. RTP 96.32%.
• The Wisdom of the Koi Bonus Game - 200x the bet. RTP 96.27%.

Shadow Strike: Slot Verdict

What is up with the Hacksaw Gaming studio family at the moment, huh? Backseat is dropping fighty games like this one, and Blademaster, Bullshark released Wild Dojo Strike not long back, and Hacksaw, cripes, they've been slinging out fight slots such as Fist of Destruction and Gladiator Legends. It feels like the trio of studios are working out anger issues through their creations, or, they just really like punchy, kicky, warrior slots. Fair dues. You can imagine work parties, where the three crews meet up for a cage fight, maybe chop pieces of wood to splinters with their bare hands, possibly pound the speed bag while chugging back pre-workout smoothies.

Jokes aside now, the studios seem happy sharing slot ideas around, which is cute. Shadow Strike's third bonus round, The Wisdom of the Koi bonus game, for instance, branches off from something like Alpha Eagle's Eagle Link round, where the feature is split into two parts - the Collection Phase and the Payout Phase. The first is a major influencing factor on the second, and if you can get a stack of wilds and a good number of reel multipliers to dump them on, it might turn out well. Or vice versa. Since there are 3 set in stone, non-retriggerable spins to carve out coins during the Payout Phase, there isn't much room for error. However, if The Wisdom of the Koi bonus game is giving you a bloody nose, possibly be comforted by the fact Shadow Strike's 15,000x the bet max win is achievable in all game modes.

Shadow Strike has a tinge of familiarity to its features with a layer of Backseat Gaming flair on top. The familiarity of the features was cool, and they've got the juice to really pop, but at times, Shadow Strike felt as much a Hacksaw Gaming production as a Backseat Gaming one, though this is not exactly a criticism, more of an observation.