Cursed Seas Slot

Cursed Seas Slot Review

Hacksaw Gaming have built a reputation for crafting immersive, atmospheric slots that prioritise thematic coherence alongside solid mechanics. Cursed Seas, released in April 2023, exemplifies this philosophy with a dark pirate aesthetic that sets it apart from the more light-hearted nautical releases in the market. Rather than relying on novelty alone, the studio delivers a genuinely compelling cursed waters theme paired with engaging multiplier mechanics and multiple free spins variants. This is a game for players who value cinematic presentation without sacrificing mechanical depth.

Base Game & Features

Cursed Seas operates on a 5×4 grid with 26 paylines, providing a familiar structure that allows Hacksaw to focus mechanical innovation on features rather than reel complexity. The symbol set embraces full pirate theming with low-paying anchors, compasses, flags, guns, and skulls (each worth 1x to 1.5x bet for five-of-a-kind), whilst various coloured pirate characters provide the high-paying tiers, delivering 3x to 10x bet values for five-of-a-kind combinations. A wild symbol (treasure chest emblazoned with “W”) substitutes for regular symbols across all reels.

Cursed Chests

The standout base game feature is the Cursed Chests mechanic, which creates multiplier zones with values between 2x and 200x on the reel grid. These cursed areas persist during free spins, providing cumulative multiplier potential that distinguishes the game’s mechanical appeal. The multiplier reveals follow a satisfying progression mechanic that players find genuinely engaging, transforming otherwise standard spins into moments of mounting tension and potential.

Feature Triggers

The game features two distinct bonus triggers, each employing the Lantern Scatter symbol as the activation key. Landing 3 Lantern Scatters triggers the base free spins round, whilst 4 Lanterns unlock the premium bonus experience. This dual-trigger structure creates meaningful differentiation between bonus modes, allowing players to distinguish between lighter feature activations and the more substantial bonus rounds.

Bonus Features & Free Spins

Sunken Treasure Free Spins

The Sunken Treasure round awards 10 free spins when triggered by 3 Lantern Scatters. During this feature, landing additional scatters expands the free spins allocation: 2 Lanterns grant +2 additional spins, 3 Lanterns award +4, and 4 Lanterns deliver +6 extra spins. This retriggering mechanic provides meaningful upside potential, though player feedback indicates the feature paces slightly slower than the premium bonus mode. The round can deliver decent potential when multipliers align, particularly when Cursed Chests build during the spins.

Dead Men Tell No Tales Bonus

The premium bonus feature, triggered by 4 Lantern Scatters, awards 3 lives and significantly raises win potential through its multiplier-reveal mechanic. Three symbol types populate the multiplier zones: Cursed Skulls reveal multipliers between 1x and 500x, Tormented Skulls offer more conservative 2x to 25x values, and the Kraken symbol brings the full 1x to 500x range. The mechanic generates emotional engagement as multipliers accumulate across cursed areas, particularly when the higher-value reveals align. This bonus rounds distinguishes itself through careful multiplier progression that rewards extended play whilst managing volatility.

Bonus Buy Options

Three bonus buy tiers offer players control over feature activation frequency. The BonusHunt Feature Spins tier costs 3x stake and increases bonus chances by 5x, maintaining the standard 96.21% RTP. Sunken Treasure FS purchases cost 100x stake with a 96.26% RTP, whilst the premium Dead Men Tell No Tales option demands 200x stake investment alongside a 96.33% RTP. Note that bonus buy is not available in the UK due to UKGC regulatory requirements, so this feature applies only to non-UK jurisdictions.

Our Honest Verdict

Cursed Seas represents Hacksaw Gaming’s strength in atmospheric game design paired with mechanically sound feature engineering. The dark pirate aesthetic consistently draws praise from players who value visual immersion and thematic coherence. The 96.22% RTP offers competitive value, whilst the 12,500x maximum win potential provides genuine appeal for volatility-conscious players, though this peak outcome requires optimal multiplier stacking and remains theoretical rather than commonly achieved.

The game’s feature implementation creates distinct experiences between the Sunken Treasure and Dead Men Tell No Tales rounds. The multiplier-reveal mechanic in the premium bonus fires emotional engagement particularly when cursed areas build progressively. However, the high volatility (4 out of 5 on Hacksaw’s scale) means longer dry spells between wins, and some players find the Sunken Treasure variant less thrilling than the Dead Men Tell No Tales bonus. The expanded cursed wilds and progressive multiplier mechanics deliver genuine win potential that keeps momentum going during feature rounds.

Cursed Seas emerges as a well-crafted Hacksaw offering that combines proven mechanics—free spins, multiplier zones, retriggering potential—with distinctive thematic elements. The Cursed Chests feature and dual bonus structure provide sufficient variation to maintain engagement. This game suits players comfortable with high volatility who prioritise atmospheric presentation and compelling bonus mechanics over consistent base game action. Casual players seeking frequent wins should look towards lower volatility alternatives, whilst high-volatility chasers will appreciate the generous 12,500x potential alongside Hacksaw’s refined mechanical execution. The game represents solid positioning within the competitive pirate slot landscape, standing out through visual quality and mechanical sophistication rather than attempting revolutionary innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the RTP of Cursed Seas slot?

  Cursed Seas features a primary RTP of 96.22%. Operators can adjust the RTP to alternative levels of 94.24%, 92.21%, or 88.38% depending on their market. Bonus buy options have slightly different RTPs: BonusHunt Feature Spins maintains 96.21%, Sunken Treasure FS operates at 96.26%, and Dead Men Tell No Tales offers 96.33%.
• What is the maximum win on Cursed Seas?

  Cursed Seas offers a maximum win of 12,500x your stake. This represents genuine win potential, though achieving the full multiplier requires optimal combinations of multiplier stacking within the Dead Men Tell No Tales bonus round. The high volatility means this outcome is theoretical rather than commonly achieved during regular play.
• How volatile is Cursed Seas slot?

  Cursed Seas features high volatility with a 4 out of 5 rating on Hacksaw Gaming’s volatility scale. This indicates longer dry spells between wins balanced by larger payouts when wins do occur. The game suits risk-tolerant players comfortable with extended periods without feature activations.
• What are the bonus features in Cursed Seas?

  Cursed Seas features three core bonus elements. The Cursed Chests mechanic creates multiplier areas (2x to 200x) that persist during free spins. The Sunken Treasure Free Spins round (triggered by 3 Lantern Scatters) awards 10 base spins with retriggering potential. The Dead Men Tell No Tales bonus (triggered by 4 Lantern Scatters) awards 3 lives and features reveal multipliers via Cursed Skulls (1x-500x), Tormented Skulls (2x-25x), and Kraken symbols (1x-500x).
• Does Cursed Seas have a bonus buy feature?

  Yes, Cursed Seas offers three bonus buy options for non-UK players. BonusHunt Feature Spins costs 3x stake and increases bonus chances by 5x (96.21% RTP). Sunken Treasure FS costs 100x stake (96.26% RTP), and Dead Men Tell No Tales costs 200x stake (96.33% RTP). Bonus buy is not available to UK players due to UKGC regulations.
• What is the bet range for Cursed Seas?

  Cursed Seas allows betting from a minimum of £0.10 to a maximum of £100 per spin, accommodating both casual players and high-stakes practitioners. The flexible betting range ensures accessibility across different player budgets and risk appetites.
• How many paylines does Cursed Seas have?

  Cursed Seas operates across a 5×4 reel grid with 26 paylines. Winning combinations form from the leftmost reel rightwards across adjacent positions. The 26-line structure provides sufficient coverage for consistent base game engagement without overwhelming complexity.
• What symbols are in Cursed Seas?

  Cursed Seas features pirate-themed symbols across two tiers. Low-paying symbols include anchors, compasses, flags, guns, and skulls, each worth 1 to 1.5x bet for five-of-a-kind combinations. High-paying pirate characters (brown, green, turquoise, and orange variants) deliver 3 to 10x bet for five-of-a-kind. Special symbols include the Wild (treasure chest with W), the Cursed Chest (turquoise chest that creates multiplier areas), and the Lantern Scatter (triggers free spins and bonuses).