Hotline is a 5 reel, 30 payline slot created by developers NetEnt. The game is presented as an eighties crime show and includes numerous references to this theme. This is most notable in the symbols, which are represented by related characters or objects. The three high-value symbols, for example, are shown as a detective in a white suit, one in navy and a female bank robber. There are also three low-value ones, which are displayed as heist targets and include a ring, necklace and tiara. There are two bonus symbols in the game; a wild which is depicted as a red sports car, and the scatter, which is illustrated by a shot of Miami’s beach.
The eighties were pretty cool, right? It was a decade filled with cars, clothes and some of the biggest cultural shifts of the 21st century. Because of this, the eighties have served as the inspiration for many TV shows, movies and video games. NetEnt has taken notice of this fascination and seen the potential for a theme. Taking clear inspiration from hits like Miami Vice, the developer has finally revealed the result; Hotline slots. It has a genuinely gorgeous visual design, plus a few features that can prove very rewarding if you’re fortunate.
Visuals and Paytable
It must be said, NetEnt is very good at making slots. The quality of their games is undisputable and carries over to everything from the gameplay and graphics, to the user interface. Because of this, it is perhaps unsurprising that Hotline’s visuals are top-notch and it isn’t a stretch to say they might be some of the best we’ve ever seen. It takes on a cell-shaded, almost comic book aesthetic that fits perfectly with the theme. In the background, a palm tree can be seen, as well as the beachfront and its various establishments. A pink-tinged sunset covers it all and the whole package radiates retro vibes.
We’ve not even mentioned the animations yet, which are rendered superbly. The win animation is a great example of this, as landing one will split the screen in half and play a scene of cars racing against each other. Land a wild on a hotline and it will expand to cover the whole reel, before showcasing a cinematic of one of the cop cars chasing after the robbers. These instances of graphical excellence aren't just a joy to look at; they are thematically accurate and affect the gameplay.
Bonus Features
Hotline and Wilds
Before you start spinning, you’ll be given the option to choose one of the rows to serve as a hotline. If a wild lands on the chosen hotline, it will then expand to cover the whole reel. The wild reel will then freeze while a re-spin ensues. Additionally, you can use the Hotline Bonus Bet to activate the other rows too in exchange for a higher wager. Two hotlines will require a double bet and you’ll have to stake triple if you want all three.
Free Spins
To trigger this round you will have to land the game's scatter symbol three times on reels 1, 3 and 5, for which you will be awarded seven spins. In this mode, if a wild lands on one of the Hotlines, it will still expand as usual, but it will also freeze in place for the duration of the spins, which means you could potentially end up with wholly wild reels.
Play it at Kerching
Hotline is a slot that is great to look at, but even better to play. The Hotlines can prove immensely useful, as they not only make the wild more rewarding, they also increase the frequency they land too. We always like to see a free spins round but, in the world of modern slots, there needs to be another aspect to make them worthwhile. Hotline answers this by brilliantly linking the previous bonus, as having the wild reels stay expanded for all of the spins can lead to some potentially huge wins.
Has our Hotline slot review got you cruising the mean streets of Miami? You can play it right here it at Kerching. Not a fan of cops and robbers? Why not trade street races and criminal escapades for cats in Kitty Glitter? Or visit another eighties classic featuring The Hoff himself in Baywatch. Remember to keep an eye out for our promotions page too, for any specials we have on.
Gamble Responsibly
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