Cossacks: The Wild Hunt Slot Review
Foxium have built a recognisable style across their portfolio, and Cossacks: The Wild Hunt continues that tradition with a thoroughly impressive offering combining striking Cossack action-adventure theming with genuinely engaging mechanics. Released in September 2021, this 6-reel slot operates on Foxium’s distinctive Wonderways system, delivering a unique alternative to the Megaways formula that dominates modern slot releases. The dark forest setting with vicious wildlife creates an atmospheric backdrop for a game that manages to be simultaneously visually stunning and mechanically sophisticated. Whether you’re a high volatility chaser seeking substantial multiplier potential or someone tired of cookie-cutter ways-to-win mechanics, Cossacks stands out as a very viable option worth exploring.
Base Game & Features
The foundation of Cossacks: The Wild Hunt centres on a 6×6 grid configuration with Foxium’s proprietary Wonderways mechanic rather than traditional paylines. This system creates between 5,625 and 46,656 ways to win depending on blocker symbols in the outer zones (reels 1, 6, and the top row). The inner zone spans reels 2 through 5, where the real action unfolds. This dual-zone architecture gives Foxium deserves credit for coming up with something more unique than just copying Megaways—it’s a deliberate design choice that distinguishes their releases from the industry norm.
The base game includes three randomly triggered modifiers that keep standard spins engaging:
- To Arms – Arrows hit symbols on the reels to create 6-of-a-kind winning combinations, adding an element of sudden volatility to otherwise standard spins.
- Release The Wilds – Fire blades convert hit symbols into wild symbols, increasing win potential across multiple payline combinations and adding visual spectacle to the base game experience.
- Foxify – Increases your total stake by 5x to maximise the Wonderways system, simultaneously removing blocker symbols to improve free spins triggering. When active, this feature also bumps the RTP to 96.22% from the standard 96.19%, creating a meaningful option for players comfortable with higher volatility betting.
These three features work in concert with the cascading reels system, where winning symbol combinations disappear and are replaced by symbols falling from above. In base game play, the multiplier associated with cascades resets after non-winning spins, though the base game can still generate multiple wins in succession during cascading sequences. To Arms and Release The Wilds are simple yet effective features that provide balance and entertainment opportunities before free spins trigger, ensuring base game play feels rewarding rather than simply a vehicle to bonus rounds.
Free Spins & Bonus Features
Triggering the bonus round requires four scatter symbols spelling the word H.U.N.T. across reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. Successfully landing this combination awards 8 free spins with a 1x starting multiplier that increases by 1 with each winning cascade. This multiplier buildup is unlimited during bonus play—unlike many competitors’ offerings where multipliers cap at 10x or 20x. This mechanic transforms the free spins experience into something genuinely compelling: each cascading win ratchets the multiplier higher, with the potential to reach astronomical values by the time the bonus concludes. Additional scatters during free spins award a welcome 2 extra spins apiece, allowing the bonus round to extend meaningfully.
The 10,000x maximum win potential is achievable but requires excellent bonus setup combining cascading reels with unlimited multiplier progression. The potent potential of both base game and free spins makes the slot very exciting at all times, though reaching headline-level wins naturally requires fortunate symbol combinations aligned with solid multiplier buildup. The volatility escalation from base game (medium) to free spins (high) creates a compelling gameplay progression that builds tension across the session.
Bonus Buy
Foxium offer a Bonus Buy feature available for non-UK players, providing three purchasing tiers:
- 100x stake for 8 free spins with a 1x multiplier (standard trigger equivalent)
- 250x stake for 8 free spins with a 10x multiplier (significant advantage for non-UK players)
- 400x stake for 8 free spins with a 20x multiplier (substantial multiplier head start)
The feature restriction to non-UK players reflects UKGC regulations around bonus purchasing. This regional limitation presents an honest trade-off: UK players face a disadvantage compared to non-UK counterparts who can purchase bonuses with higher starting multipliers, resulting in notably lower multiplier progression opportunities for UK-regulated accounts. When Foxify is active at 5x bet multiplier, dry spells can prove costly—the feature requires strong bankroll management, particularly when chasing the higher bonus buy tiers.
Our Honest Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Cossacks: The Wild Hunt is thoroughly impressive offering from Foxium that delivers on multiple fronts. The Wonderways feature represents a very welcome change of pace from other ways to win slots, offering variable win mechanics (5,625-46,656) that feel genuinely distinct from Megaways’ fixed approach. The graphics are exceptional—the dark forest setting with vicious animals like boars, bears, and wolves creates one of the best-looking slots released in recent years. The base game excitement holds its own thanks to the three random modifiers, meaning players aren’t simply waiting for free spins; base game play generates engagement through feature triggers and cascading sequences.
Standout strengths include the unlimited multiplier during free spins (supporting the 10,000x headline potential), solid RTP of 96.19% (96.22% with Foxify), and the very well-engineered design that successfully competes with alternatives through superior implementation rather than copying established formulas. The game manages to balance sophisticated mechanics with accessibility—the Wonderways system is genuinely simple yet formidable when paired with 46,656 ways to win and multiplier mechanics.
However, honest limitations deserve mention. UK players face an undeniable disadvantage with the Bonus Buy restriction limiting starting multipliers to 1x, whereas non-UK players can purchase games with 10x-20x multipliers. The volatility progression (medium base game transitioning to high during free spins) creates a compelling experience, though it simultaneously means base game play can feel slow between features for those preferring consistent returns. The starting multiplier for non-bonus-buy players represents a trade-off compared to non-UK players’ advantages, and the 1,024-to-46,656 ways range, whilst mechanically interesting, adds complexity that may overwhelm newcomers to Foxium’s approach.
Overall, Cossacks: The Wild Hunt is great in almost every aspect including graphics, audio, gameplay, and potential. It represents excellent value for high volatility fans seeking sophisticated mechanics beyond standard Megaways derivatives. For players unfamiliar with Wonderways or preferring straightforward volatility profiles, other options might resonate more strongly. The game would have benefitted from feature triggers offering slightly higher starting multipliers for UK accounts, though the restrictions reflect regulatory requirements rather than developer choice. Much more potential exists for non-UK players in some aspects due to bonus purchasing capabilities, but the core game remains compelling regardless of region. Foxium deserves genuine credit for creating something more unique than the industry’s typical releases—this is a slot built for players willing to appreciate design innovation alongside pure win potential.
Cossacks: The Wild Hunt FAQs
-
What is the RTP of Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
The game offers three potential returns: 96.19%, 94.19%, and 92.23%, depending on casino configuration. The primary RTP is 96.19%, which increases slightly to 96.22% when the Foxify feature is enabled, providing players with an optional boost for enhanced multiplier potential. -
What is the maximum win in Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
The game has a maximum potential of 10,000x your stake, which is achievable through the combination of cascading reels, unlimited multipliers during free spins (starting at 1x and increasing by 1 per cascade), and the game’s high volatility during bonus rounds. -
How volatile is Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
The base game comes with medium volatility, but this becomes a high-volatility slot machine as you play the Free Spins round. The volatility escalation creates an exciting progression in gameplay intensity, appealing to players who enjoy building tension from base game through bonus features. -
How do you trigger free spins in Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
Four scatter symbols that form the word ‘H.U.N.T.’ on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 will activate 8 Free Spins. You can also purchase free spins directly using the Bonus Buy feature for 100x to 400x the total bet, depending on the multiplier chosen (available to non-UK players only). -
What is the Bonus Buy cost for Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
Bonus Buy offers three options: 100x total bet for 8 Free Spins with 1x multiplier, 250x total bet for 8 Free Spins with 10x multiplier, or 400x total bet for 8 Free Spins with 20x multiplier. The feature is available outside the UK per UKGC regulations. -
What is Foxify in Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
Foxify is a special feature that increases your total bet by 5x and removes blockers from the reels to improve your chances of triggering the Free Spins bonus during the base game. When active, it also increases the RTP to 96.22%, offering enhanced odds for those comfortable with higher stake levels. -
What are cascading reels in Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
Cascading reels are a feature where winning symbol combinations disappear and are replaced by new symbols falling from above. With each cascade, your win multiplier increases by one during free spins (unlimited progression), potentially creating multiple consecutive wins from a single spin and building towards the 10,000x maximum potential. -
What is the betting range for Cossacks: The Wild Hunt?
The betting range for Cossacks: The Wild Hunt is from 0.20 EUR per spin (minimum) up to 25.00 EUR per spin (maximum), giving players flexibility to choose their stake based on their bankroll and preferences. With Foxify active, the maximum stake becomes 125.00 EUR (5x multiplier).
