In the world of online casino slots, few themes evoke as much excitement and terror as the idea of a road trip to hell. The "Highway to Hell" slot by NetEnt is one such game that combines an intriguing theme with stunning graphics and engaging gameplay mechanics. In this review, we will delve into every aspect of this captivating slot machine, from its design and symbols https://highway-to-hell.com/ to payouts and volatility.
Design and Theme
As soon as players launch the game, they are greeted by a visually striking landscape featuring a desert highway winding through burning flames and pyroclastic flows. The eerie atmosphere is accompanied by an ominous soundtrack that perfectly complements the theme of traversing hell’s scorched earth. The overall design is reminiscent of classic rock concert posters from the 1980s, paying homage to the spirit of rebelliousness that defines NetEnt’s games.
The game board itself features five reels and ten paylines, set against a backdrop of dark smoke rising above the burning highway. The visuals are rendered with remarkable detail, with fire-damaged cars, charred trees, and lava flows blending seamlessly into an infernal landscape. Every element is intricately designed to create an immersive experience that transports players directly onto hell’s high road.
Symbols
NetEnt has crafted a range of symbols that fit the hellish theme perfectly. Standard card values (Aces through 9s) are styled with fiery edges, while higher-paying symbols include demons, skeletons, and burning vehicles. Players will also encounter two special wild symbols – a black-and-red "Hell’s Gate" logo that functions as both a regular and expanding wild.
Some of the most coveted symbols in this game belong to three exclusive characters: Brimstone, Beezlebuzz, and Scorch. Each symbol features an entertaining animation when part of a winning combination, further enhancing player engagement and emotional connection with the theme. These animations are accompanied by unique audio effects that amplify the immersive experience.
Payouts
In terms of payouts, players can expect generous rewards for matching the Hell’s Gate logos or any high-paying symbols across active paylines. The game uses NetEnt’s standard payout table, where each symbol offers varying amounts based on its rarity and significance in the storyline. The three main character symbols provide substantial returns up to 1000 coins per spin when appearing five times.
The Hell’s Gate logo acts as a true wild, allowing it to replace any other symbol except for scatters. When landing multiple logos across the reels, players can benefit from generous payouts for combinations of more than two logos. Expanding Wilds – the Hell’s Gate logo spreading across all positions on a reel – increase player chances and multipliers with each occurrence.
Wilds
As mentioned earlier, the black-and-red Hell’s Gate logo serves as both a regular and expanding wild in "Highway to Hell." The game also includes Scorch and Beezlebuzz logos that appear randomly during gameplay. When two or more of these special symbols land adjacent to one another (either horizontally or diagonally), they form a Burning Wild, turning all covered positions on the reels into wilds.
Scatters
Brimstone serves as an additional scatter symbol, which must be landed at least twice within any spin for rewards or bonus features. A minimum of three scatters will trigger the Brimstone Re-Spin feature – four rounds where players receive free spins and potentially significant payouts upon re-spins completion.
Players are awarded either 10 to 20 free spins based on their scatter positions, depending on whether they landed exactly three, four, or five times respectively. In case of fewer than two scatters occurring in a spin (less than the minimum), any wilds generated from that combination are collected and turned into separate credits added to player balance.
Bonus Features
The game contains various bonus features besides free spins – all related directly to brimstone’s infernal powers:
- The Inferno Free Spins feature: Triggers when a player gets five or more scatter symbols in the same spin. Fourteen rounds of spins, with players awarded randomly between 12 and twenty extra credit based on positions and their highest winning combinations formed.
- Stairway to Hell – Free Respins Feature (minimum two brimstones): Activates fifteen bonus free games played at doubled normal stakes.
During gameplay, high-value symbols can occasionally be replaced by either of the expanding wilds (Hell’s Gate or Beezlebuzz). Players who manage to score five different scatters receive 50 additional credit each for subsequent round wins resulting from original two combined brimstone.
