Black Hawk Deluxe

The sequel to the immensely popular Black Hawk, Black Hawk Deluxe is similarly a 4-reel, 3-column slot from Wazdan. Like the original, dark magic reins supreme, with undead soldiers guarding the treasure of the high castle from the players who would make it their own.

Theme

The haunted grounds of the castle provide the backdrop for this slot, which is neither a mini-slot nor an expansive full-scale game. An ominous soundtrack combines with the rattling chains of the undead for a somber gaming experience. Gaming symbols include the titular bird, swooping down towards players with talons bared and lightning in his wake; the towers of the castle; gleaming treasure chests; skeletons of former would-be heroes, still wearing their armor; the castle gate; and the playing card values ace through jack. A glowing crystal ball acts as wild, substituting for other symbols to form winning combinations, though three wilds alone on a payline do not count as a winning combination. The graphics are a big step up from the original, with animated sequences all around.

Betting Options and Functions

Wazdan’s slogan is “passion for games,” and that passion definitely comes across in the form of outstanding attention to detail in what might have been a guaranteed success even with lesser standards. There are 54 total fixed paylines, 27 paying in each direction. with a total per-spin bet adjustable from 0.10–10.00 times the betting currency. Autoplay is unavailable, a rarity in modern slots, though a quick spin feature is available for players who prefer a quicker tempo. Another oddity: gaming symbols pay out only in combinations of three, despite there being four reels in which to play. In a classic Wazdan feature, players can select low, standard, or high volatility, each resulting in a slightly different ratio of win regularity and win size. Game rules, paytable information, and player settings are available on separate screens. The theoretical RTP is quite strong at 96.47%.

Features

Though no bonus features are included in this title, the design team does include a double-or-nothing gamble feature, which can be played up to five times in a row. Players select one of two levers – each one releases a trio of undead soldiers from behind a gate, ready to tear the player limb from limb. Choosing the right lever will drop the soldiers into a pit of lava, doubling the size of the win, allowing players the choice of playing the gamble feature again; the wrong lever will see the imminent demise of both player and win.

Our Take

Black Hawk Deluxe may not break any new ground, but this title is sure to delight fans of the original and newcomers alike. The brilliantly-rendered, horrific visuals are an absolute delight, though some kind of bonus feature would go a long way toward making this Black Hawk Deluxe truly memorable.