Dead or Alive Review
Dead or Alive is one of NetEnt’s most infamous slots. It is a super-high variance game with a wild west theme, played on five reels, three rows and with 9 active paylines in play at all times. The main feature is the Free Spin round with Sticky Wilds and 2x multipliers on all wins. It has a relatively high RTP of 96.82% and a top payout of 12,000x on a single spin.
Name: Dead or Alive
Developer: NetEnt
Paylines: 9
Reels: 5
Rows: 3
RTP: 96.82%
Variance: HIgh
Top Payout: 12,000x
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ABOUT THIS SLOT
Dead or Alive is a game that regularly features in lists of the best high variance slots of all time, and since its launch in 2009 it has acquired a cult status amongst fans of high-risk slots play thanks to its blistering free spins round where sticky wilds and extra spins combine to boost the win potential to a massive 12,000x.
The narrative of the game is based on the story of famous outlaws Billy the Kid and Jesse James. It all takes place on a deserted ranch, with stormy weather and a creepy soundtrack creating a sinister atmosphere around the reels. The gameplay itself is simple enough, with just 5 reels, 3 rows and 9 fixed paylines. To score wins players must land three or more matching icons on a payline to win a payout. Whilst there are some decent wins to score in the base game, the fun really kicks in during the bonus round, where in typical high variance style, a mix of free spins and sticky wilds can quickly turn the reels into a big win party for the lucky few who get close to that top payout.
RTP, VARIANCE AND PAYOUTS
This is a very volatile game, which means that payouts are unevenly distributed. Players will experience long periods with little or no wins, followed by short bursts of high payouts. It’s why we love high volatility slots – the tension of waiting for the big pay off, and the release when those sticky wilds and free spins land your way. However, this also means that Dead or Alive is not a game for the casual gambler. You need a big balance and patience to take this one on. The RTP is set at slightly above average, at 96.82% and the top payout is 6,000x in the base game and 12,000x in the bonus round where 2x multipliers come into play.
SYMBOLS AND PAYTABLE
The low value symbols on the reels are represented by the cards, 10 through to Ace. There are also premium symbols in the shape of a gun, hat, boots, and whisky. The top paying symbol of all is the Sheriff’s Badge, worth 1,000x for five in a line.
Look out as well for the Wanted Poster which acts as the Wild in both base game and bonus round, subbing in for all other symbols to create wins and triggering a 1,500x win where five appear on a line. The scatter is represented by two guns and is required to unleash the free spins. It also pays 2,500x for five on a line.
GAMEPLAY AND FEATURES
The good stuff all happens in the Free Spins feature in Dead or Alive. Here’s how it works:
FREE SPINS
Regardless of how many scatters you land over the minimum of three, you will get just 12 free spins, but this is only the beginning of the story. Every single win landed during the feature will be immediately doubled, thanks to a universal 2x multiplier that stays throughout the round. And if you land 3 or more scatters again on one spin, you’ll add a further 12 spins to the round, giving you 24 free spins in total.
STICKY WILDS WITH EXTRA SPINS
During the free spins round, any Wanted Poster Wild that lands automatically sticks for the duration. This is where the big wins can come because it is possible to score a full screen of wilds and the 12,000x top payout. Landing 1 or more Wanted Poster Wilds in the free spins round will also add a further 5 spins to the round, giving you a possible 29 free spins in all, played with a 2x multiplier.
OUR VERDICT
Dead or Alive deserves its status as one of the all-time great slots. It is in fact a very simple slot with a basic base game and all the big wins happening once the free spins round opens up. The best sequences come when you can land sticky wilds across all the reels. There are legendary tales of those who have hit the full screen of wilds, but it is a rare thing in truth. This is a tough slot to crack, so tread carefully. Good luck and have fun!
WP Post Author
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