Cursed Crypt Slot Review
Hacksaw Gaming has created a moody, tightly wound slot with high production values and a heavier, spookier, more menacing interpretation of Ancient Egypt than most slots in the genre. Released in June 2024, Cursed Crypt departs from the bright, cartoonish aesthetics that dominate so many Egyptian-themed releases, instead painting a picture of decay and mystery bathed in an eerie, ethereal green light. This atmospheric design approach combined with innovative mechanics makes it particularly appealing to experienced players seeking games with genuine visual character and mechanically engaging gameplay.
Base Game & Features
Cursed Crypt operates on a 5-reel, 4-row grid with 1,024 ways to win. This configuration provides extensive win potential across consecutive reels from left to right, offering a modern approach to symbol matching that feels satisfying during extended play sessions. The game features a diverse symbol set with jaguars, wolves, eagles, monsters, and pharaohs comprising the high-paying symbols (paying 3x to 15x bet multipliers), whilst the snake wild symbol awards 20x for five-of-a-kind combinations.
The standout mechanic is the Cursed Reels feature—a base game modifier that defines the entire gameplay experience. When a curse symbol lands on the reels, it spreads upward, transforming all positions above it into cursed positions. These positions fill with random symbols that contribute to winning combinations, effectively creating or enhancing wins on otherwise losing spins. This mechanic triggers with reasonable frequency during standard play, adding genuine volatility and unpredictability to the base game without making it feel gimmicky. The cure symbol itself is depicted as a green zombie design, maintaining the game’s eerie aesthetic throughout.
With an RTP of 96.22% and multiple variants available (94.29%, 92.30%, 88.38%), Cursed Crypt offers above-average returns that appeal to mathematically-minded players. The game carries high volatility (rated 4 out of 5 by Hacksaw Gaming), meaning larger but less frequent wins. A hit frequency of 21% translates to roughly one winning spin every five spins—low enough that dry spins in the base game can feel punishing, but high enough to maintain engagement during longer sessions. This volatility profile suits players with budgets comfortable absorbing extended losing streaks in pursuit of significant payouts.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Cursed Crypt features two distinct free spins modes, each with unique mechanics and appeal. The first, Wrath of Sobek, triggers when you land 3 free spins scatter symbols, awarding 10 free spins. During this mode, curse symbol frequency increases dramatically, meaning the cursed reels mechanic activates more often for enhanced win potential. Scatters can retrigger the feature—landing 2 additional scatters adds 2 more spins, whilst 3 scatters add 4 spins, allowing the feature to extend significantly during hot streaks.
The second mode, Tomb of Tutankhamun, is triggered by 4 free spins scatter symbols and also awards 10 free spins. This premium feature elevates the cursed reels mechanic further—cursed positions during Tomb of Tutankhamun fill exclusively with high-value symbols or wild symbols, dramatically increasing win potential compared to Wrath of Sobek. The retrigger structure mirrors the standard mode: 2 additional scatters add 2 spins, 3 scatters add 4 spins. Crucially, the maximum win of 10,000x stake is achievable in all game modes, including both free spins features and the base game, giving players realistic paths to genuinely substantial payouts.
Beyond the traditional triggering methods, Cursed Crypt offers five bonus buy options, allowing players to bypass base game grinds entirely. BonusHunt FeatureSpins at 3x bet makes curse symbols 5x more likely to land, effectively boosting base game volatility. The two mid-tier options—Curse of Three (40x bet) and Curse of Five (150x bet)—guarantee 3 or 5 curse symbols respectively on the next spin, providing controlled volatility for players seeking managed risk. At the premium end, Wrath of Sobek direct purchase (100x bet) and Tomb of Tutankhamun direct purchase (200x bet) skip the scatter requirement entirely, letting players buy directly into free spins. Each bonus buy option carries different cost and RTP levels, allowing experienced players to tailor their session approach based on bankroll and win probability preferences.
Our Honest Verdict
- Overall Verdict: 8/10
- Cursed Crypt proves that thematic execution and mechanical innovation can elevate a game beyond its core components. Hacksaw Gaming has delivered a slot that looks genuinely distinctive—the gothic crypt aesthetic with its ominous green hue stands apart from the endless parade of bright Egyptian slots flooding the market. The cursed reels mechanic is a standout feature that creates genuine excitement when it triggers, transforming ordinary spins into win opportunities through pure mechanical design rather than arbitrary bonus gimmicks. The 96.22% RTP and 10,000x max win provide solid mathematical appeal for players tracking value propositions. However, the game’s high volatility means extended dry spins can accumulate losses quickly, particularly before bonus triggers. The base game, whilst engaging through the cursed reels mechanic, can feel limited for players seeking diverse feature interactions during standard play. Additionally, the pacing challenge—bonuses arriving too late to offset accumulated base game losses—reflects the inherent tension in high-volatility design. This is a game built for experienced players comfortable with variance, appreciating strong visual design, and seeking mechanically engaging rather than feature-packed gameplay. Casual players or those with limited bankrolls may find the swings too dramatic. For its target audience, Cursed Crypt delivers precisely what it promises: atmospheric design, engaging mechanics, and high-risk-high-reward gameplay balanced by a respectable RTP.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Cursed Crypt?
The RTP of Cursed Crypt is 96.22%, though variations exist depending on casino preference. The best RTP is 96.22%, although alternative versions offer 94.29%, 92.30%, or 88.38%. Cursed Crypt features flexible RTP ranges, permitting casinos to adjust the winning chances to their preferred volatility profile. -
What is the maximum win on Cursed Crypt?
The Cursed Crypt slot has a maximum win of 10,000x your stake. This maximum win can be reached in all game modes—including the base game and both bonus rounds. If you spin at the maximum bet of £/€100 per spin, the theoretical maximum payout would be £/€1,000,000, demonstrating the high-risk-high-reward nature of this volatile slot. -
What is the volatility of Cursed Crypt?
Cursed Crypt features medium-high volatility, rated 4 out of 5 by Hacksaw Gaming. This means the game delivers bigger, less frequent wins—ideal for players with more generous budgets who can weather extended losing streaks. A hit frequency of 21% ensures players land wins roughly once every five spins, though the variance between these wins can be substantial. -
Does Cursed Crypt have free spins?
Yes, Cursed Crypt offers two distinct free spins modes. Wrath of Sobek triggers with 3 scatter symbols, awarding 10 free spins with increased curse symbol frequency. Tomb of Tutankhamun requires 4 scatters and also awards 10 free spins, but curse symbols transform exclusively into high-value symbols or wilds for enhanced win potential. Both modes can retrigger for additional spins. -
What is the Cursed Reels feature in Cursed Crypt?
The Cursed Reels feature is the standout mechanic activating when a curse symbol lands. The curse spreads upward, transforming all positions above it into cursed positions that fill with random symbols contributing to win combinations. This mechanic triggers regularly during base gameplay, creating exciting win moments without requiring bonus activation, and intensifies during the two free spins modes. -
Can I play Cursed Crypt on mobile?
Yes, Cursed Crypt is fully optimised for both desktop and mobile play on Android and iOS devices. The mobile version performs excellently across all device resolutions and displays brilliantly in portrait mode, with smooth graphics and responsive gameplay. No separate app download is required—the game runs directly through your device’s browser. -
Does Cursed Crypt have a bonus buy feature?
Yes, Cursed Crypt includes five bonus buy options. BonusHunt FeatureSpins (3x bet) increases curse symbol frequency. Curse of Three (40x bet) and Curse of Five (150x bet) guarantee 3 or 5 curse symbols respectively. Wrath of Sobek (100x bet) and Tomb of Tutankhamun (200x bet) offer direct entry into the respective free spins modes. Each option carries different costs and RTP implications. -
How many ways to win does Cursed Crypt have?
Cursed Crypt is a 5-reel, 4-row slot with 1,024 ways to win. Players land winning combinations when three or more matching symbols line up on consecutive reels from left to right. This extensive ways-to-win structure provides consistent win opportunities throughout gameplay and works in concert with the cursed reels mechanic to create varied winning patterns.
