Dark Spiral (Hacksaw Gaming) – Slot Review
Dark Spiral by Hacksaw Gaming explores a dark, psychological horror theme built around twisted symbolism and unsettling imagery. The game is set in a surreal, nightmarish world filled with distorted characters, watching eyes, occult motifs, and abstract creatures, creating a constant sense of unease and tension. Its visuals lean heavily into shadowy colours, warped designs, and eerie animations, reinforcing the feeling of being trapped inside a disturbing, otherworldly spiral.
Dark Spiral is played on a 6×4 grid with an enormous 331,776 ways to win. It is a high-volatility slot, offering an RTP of 96.22% and a maximum win of up to 10,000x your stake. Bets range from £0.10 to £100.
Dark Spiral Symbols & Pay Table
The game features 13 symbols in total, including five low-paying card ranks (10, J, Q, K and A) and five premium symbols themed around disturbing, occult imagery such as twisted figures, vine-covered characters, eerie creatures and an all-seeing eye. Alongside these are Wild, Scatter and Summoning symbols, with the Wild being the highest payer, awarding up to 5x for six of a kind. Wilds substitute for all regular symbols.
Dark Spiral Features & Mechanics
The core mechanic revolves around Summoning symbols, which can appear in sizes of 1×2, 1×3 or 1×4 on reels 2 to 5. When they land, each Summoning symbol reveals stacked versions of a single paying or Wild symbol, with larger sizes unlocking higher stack counts. If a Wild lands directly above or below a Summoning symbol on the same reel, the Summoning symbol expands to absorb it, increasing its size. When involved in wins, Summoning symbols remain on the grid as other winning symbols cascade away, repeatedly revealing new symbols for as long as additional wins continue. Once the sequence ends, all symbols are cleared for the next spin.
Dark Spiral offers three Free Spins modes. Shattered is triggered by landing three Scatter symbols and awards 10 free spins with an increased chance of Summoning symbols. Twisted is activated with four Scatters and builds on Shattered by making all Summoning symbols sticky for the duration of the feature, revealing new stacks on every win and spin. The hidden Tortured bonus is unlocked with five Scatters, retaining Twisted’s mechanics while guaranteeing two Summoning symbols on the first spin. All Free Spins features can award additional spins when extra Scatters land, though only Shattered and Twisted can be purchased.
Conclusion
Dark Spiral is a bold and intense release from Hacksaw Gaming that will appeal strongly to players who enjoy dark themes and high-risk gameplay. Its unsettling visuals, deep summoning mechanics, and escalating bonus features create a gripping experience with serious win potential. While the complexity and volatility may not suit casual players, those willing to embrace the chaos will find Dark Spiral a rewarding and memorable slot. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.