xWays Hoarder 2

Nolimit City returns to the grim and bizarre world of post-apocalyptic survival with xWays Hoarder 2, a follow-up to their 2021 release, xWays Hoarder xSplit. While the original introduced us to a cast of scavengers obsessed with hoarding supplies in a radioactive wasteland, this sequel plunges us deeper into the depths of societal collapse, focusing on the harsh realities of survival where trust is a forgotten luxury.

The setting shifts from the open, desolate landscape to a claustrophobic, underground bunker, which sets the tone of how much we have to sacrifice for the opportunity to survive in the nuclear winter. The visual design, while maintaining a connection to its predecessor, adopts a more detailed and immersive aesthetic. The presence of a ominous “Feed Tube” suggests a desperate, perhaps even sinister, system of resource allocation among the bunker’s inhabitants. It’s an environment where one person’s survival may very well depend on another’s sacrifice, a theme emphasized by the return of the game’s central character, Karen, who embodies the “every man for himself” mentality. The soundtrack enhances this, perfectly fitting the desolate and gritty theme.

Delving into the Mechanics of xWays Hoarder 2

xWays Hoarder 2 operates on a 6-reel, 3-row grid, initially offering 729 ways to win. The game retains the high volatility (rated 10/10) that Nolimit City is known for, demanding a strategic approach to bankroll management. While it is a high volatile game, and may seem overwhelming to new players, a return to player (RTP) rate of 96.14% – indicates a balanced risk-reward proposition. It’s worth noting that operators can also offer lower RTP versions (94.06% or 92.04%), so checking the game information before playing is a good habit to get into.

Betting starts at a modest $0.20, scaling up to $100 per spin, accommodating both cautious players and high rollers. The highest-value symbols are unique characters, each with their distinct personalities, with Karen offering the top payout of 5x the bet for a six-of-a-kind combination. Winning combinations form from left to right, and the game’s mechanics can significantly multiply the number of winning ways, especially with its signature xWays and xSplit features. The game’s win frequency is pegged at 21.5%, which means players can anticipate a winning combination approximately every 4.65 spins, but remember the game’s variance dictates that these wins will vary in size.

Bonus Features: A Deep Dive into xWays Hoarder 2’s Arsenal

xWays Hoarder 2 features nine bonus mechanisms, each designed to amplify the excitement and potential rewards. Below, I’ll examine each feature individually, highlighting their unique contributions to the game’s dynamics:

xWays Feature

This mechanic is a cornerstone of the gameplay, with xWays symbols landing on the four middle reels (2-5). These symbols are pivotal, as they reveal a random regular symbol, and if multiple xWays symbols appear, they all transform into the same symbol. The size of these symbols is dynamic, ranging from 2 to 12, thereby increasing the ways to win dramatically. Specifically, a single xWays symbol can expand to sizes 2-4, two connected symbols can reach 3-8, and three connected symbols can swell to sizes 4-12. This is a mechanic that is familiar to players, but it’s the interplay with other features that makes it so effective here.

xSplit Wilds

xSplit Wilds are game-changers, appearing on all reels except the first. When they land, they split all symbols to their left on the same row, doubling them and applying a multiplier to any symbol split more than once. This feature does not affect Loot symbols but significantly impacts xWays symbols by doubling their multipliers with each split, leading to potentially massive payouts.

xSplit Nudge

This new addition to the series acts similarly to xSplit Wilds, appearing on all reels but the first. They land as stacked symbols, nudging to fill the reel and stopping just before any special symbols if they are present. Each nudge splits symbols to the left, doubling them in the process. The sequence continues until no new special symbols appear, followed by a final respin with the first reel unlocked, potentially triggering the Loot Respin feature again.

Loot Respin Feature

This feature is triggered by landing a Loot symbol along with any special symbol in the base game. When activated, the Loot symbol expands on the first reel and locks into place. Any subsequent special symbols that land during the respin become sticky, triggering further respins. The process continues until no more special symbols appear, culminating in a final respin with the first reel unlocked, offering one last chance to trigger or retrigger the feature.

Free Spins Features

xWays Hoarder 2 offers three distinct Free Spins modes, each with its own set of rules and potential rewards. Before diving into specifics, note that Access Key Scatter symbols (which do not split) are crucial for unlocking these features, transforming into Super Scatter symbols when interacting with xSplit Wilds or xSplit Nudge symbols.

Raid Spins

This mode is activated by landing 3 or more Access Key Scatter symbols. Depending on the number of Scatters (3, 4, or 5), players receive 7, 10, or 13 free spins, respectively. xSplit Wilds, xWays, and xSplit Nudge symbols remain sticky throughout this feature. Super Scatters convert themselves and regular paying symbols below them into xSplit symbols, boosting the potential for big wins. For every third special symbol collected, the player ascends to a new Radiation Level, removing low-value symbols from the reels and awarding an extra spin.

Plunder Spins

Triggered when at least one of the triggering Scatters is a Super Scatter, this mode also awards 7, 10, or 13 free spins, depending on the number of Scatters. The Super Scatter position and those below it become sticky xSplit symbols. Radiation Levels are in play, upgrading in the same manner as in Raid Spins.

Binge Spins

This is the pinnacle of the Free Spins features, activated upon reaching Radiation Level 4 in either Raid or Plunder Spins. Only the two highest-paying character symbols (Karen and Skeletor) and the highest-paying object symbol appear on the reels, maximizing the potential for significant payouts. Should you find the intricacies of any particular feature daunting, you can initiate the game’s demo version and access the help section (by clicking ‘i’) to gain a deeper understanding, this will make sure you get acquainted with every element of the game without any financial commitment.

Nolimit Booster

This feature, common in Nolimit City slots, allows players to pay extra to increase the chances of triggering various bonuses:

• xBet: For 3x the base bet, players are four times more likely to trigger Free Spins (RTP 96.06%).
• 1 Guaranteed xSplit Nudge xBet: Costs 10x the base bet and guarantees at least one xSplit Nudge symbol per spin (RTP 96.12%).
• Loot Respin xBet: At 30x the base bet, this guarantees triggering the Loot Respin feature (RTP 96.15%).

Nolimit Bonus

Available in certain jurisdictions (excluding the UK), this feature allows players to buy directly into various bonus rounds. The costs range from 80x for Raid Spins to 800x for Plunder Spins with two guaranteed Super Scatters. There’s also a Lucky Draw option at 312x the bet, offering a mixed chance of entering different bonus rounds.

Final Thoughts on Gameplay

xWays Hoarder 2 excels in delivering a complex and layered slot experience, where each feature interweaves with others to create a dynamic and engaging gameplay. The interplay between xWays, xSplit Wilds, and xSplit Nudge, especially in the context of the Loot Respin and Free Spins features, provides a strategic depth that will appeal to experienced players. While the game’s high volatility and multitude of features may be overwhelming for novices, the depth and potential for big wins make it a worthy challenge for seasoned slot enthusiasts. The game’s maximum win potential of 25,920x the bet, achievable through a combination of its innovative mechanics, underscores its appeal. The game’s theme and execution are undeniably unique, but it’s the innovative mechanics that truly set it apart. While its predecessor, xWays Hoarder xSplit, introduced a novel concept, xWays Hoarder 2 elevates the experience with refined features and increased win potential, marking it as a significant advancement in Nolimit City’s portfolio. I would recommend this slot to players who enjoy high volatility and complex gameplay, as it requires a certain level of understanding to fully appreciate its intricacies.