Dead Man’s Trail Slot Review
Relax Gaming’s Dead Man’s Trail immerses players in a pirate-themed adventure across a weathered treasure map. Released in September 2021, this 5×4 grid slot combines atmospheric audio-visuals with genuine mechanical depth. Rather than chasing the latest gimmicks, Relax Gaming have built something purposefully complex: a high-volatility experience where the Trail Bonus serves as the centrepiece, rewarding patience and bankroll discipline with exceptional win potential reaching 50,000x stake. This is distinctly not casual fare—it’s engineered for players comfortable navigating extended dry spells in pursuit of explosive bonus moments.
Base Game & Features
Dead Man’s Trail operates across 40 paylines with a straightforward win mechanic: land matching symbols across active lines to cash in. The 5×4 grid structure feels spacious, and the pirate-themed symbols fit the adventurous setting without overshadowing gameplay. The base game itself is fairly minimalist between features—coins and scatter symbols are what matter most.
The Coin Feature
When 3 or more coins land on different reels, the Coin Feature activates instantly. Each coin displays a multiplier (ranging from x1 to x100), and you win the sum of all visible coin values on that spin. The mechanism is straightforward but effective, providing respite from the void between bonus triggers. Community sentiment confirms this: whilst coins add genuine value, they don’t carry much entertainment weight on their own between bonus sequences. Most players view base game wins as functional rather than exciting—a bridge rather than a destination.
Bonus Features
The Trail Bonus represents Relax Gaming’s centrepiece innovation. This feature genuinely differentiates Dead Man’s Trail from standard board-game-style bonus mechanics. Rather than a simple linear path, the Trail Bonus employs a mystery map where your pawn advances 1–9 steps per turn, creating uncertainty and strategic depth that sets it apart from Money Train 2 and similar competitors.
Trail Bonus: The Mystery Map
Trigger: Land 3 or more bonus symbols anywhere on the reels.
Once triggered, you navigate a treasure island map with one fundamental mechanic: advance your pawn step by step, and when you land on a special tile, a Mystery Chest reveals your fate. The 11 special actions embedded within those chests create moments of genuine excitement—particularly when Scout or Commander actions transform modest collections into substantial wins.
The Mystery Chest Actions Include:
- Scout: Move forward 1–9 steps immediately
- One-Eye: Collect a coin multiplier value
- Commander: Double your collected multipliers
- Collector: Advance and collect
- Collect & Command: Combine collection with multiplier doubling
- Reset: Start your collection from scratch
- Super Reset: Reset and advance simultaneously
- Coin Win: Instant coin-based payout
- Normal Tiles: Award 10x to 500x stake
The Trail Bonus rarely feels repetitive because the mystery map mechanics combine randomness with meaningful progression. You’re not simply watching reels spin—you’re navigating an interactive board where each step carries consequence. One minute you land the Scout and surge forward; the next, a Reset tiles wipes your collection. This unpredictability is the feature’s greatest strength and, for some players, its most frustrating weakness. Professional reviews consistently acknowledge that volatility here isn’t just mathematical—it’s experiential.
When big values land on the trail, the bonus becomes exceptionally intense. The thrill of dodging End Tiles whilst collecting multipliers keeps engagement exceptionally high—this is where Dead Man’s Trail excels. However, triggering the bonus only to exit early before piling up a decent win creates profound frustration, especially when you’ve paid 100x stake for that guaranteed feature. The high volatility creates a double-edged sword: extraordinary wins are possible, but so are quick, deflating losses.
Bonus Buy Feature
For 100x your stake, you can guarantee the Trail Bonus on your next spin. This increases the RTP from 96.29% to 98.0%—meaningful for those wanting to bypass extended dry spells. The premium feels justified for bankroll-conscious players, though the added frustration of early exit losses makes bonus buy a risky fast-track option. Important note: This feature is restricted in the UK due to Gambling Commission regulations, so UK players experience only the standard base game and naturally-triggered bonuses.
Our Honest Verdict
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Dead Man’s Trail represents a genuinely complex and engaging bonus experience from Relax Gaming. The Trail Bonus creates moments of genuine excitement, particularly when Scout or Commander actions transform a modest collection into substantial wins. The mystery map implementation genuinely diverges from Money Train 2 through its superior special action variety and meaningful strategic depth.
However, this isn’t a slot for everyone. High volatility combined with a 19.15% hit frequency means extended dry spells between bonuses. The base game offers little beyond brief respite between feature hunts—the Coin Feature is functional but rarely entertaining on its own. The comparison to Money Train 2 holds merit: both games favour large multiplier combinations over frequent wins. This design choice creates a defined target audience.
Who This Appeals To: Experienced slot players comfortable with extended dry spells in pursuit of explosive potential. High-variance enthusiasts who view the 50,000x maximum win as genuinely worthwhile motivation. Players who value bonus depth and interactive mechanics over frequent small hits.
Who Should Look Elsewhere: Casual players seeking frequent wins or those new to high-volatility gameplay will find this trail frustrating rather than rewarding. Players prioritising base game entertainment should definitely explore other options. Those avoiding bonus buy restrictions (UK players) receive the full experience without the paid feature acceleration.
For those who match the profile—patient bankroll managers comfortable with variance, seeking volatile gameplay with meaningful bonus depth and strategic choices—this delivers solid entertainment value. This trail is specifically designed for those willing to weather the journey for potentially significant rewards.
Dead Man’s Trail FAQs
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What is the RTP of Dead Man’s Trail slot?
The RTP (Return to Player) of Dead Man’s Trail is 96.29% in the base game. When using the bonus buy feature, the RTP increases to 98.0%. There is also a Dream Drop variant with 94.0% RTP available at select casinos. -
What is the maximum win in Dead Man’s Trail?
The maximum win in Dead Man’s Trail is 50,000x your stake. This substantial ceiling reflects the high-volatility design and can be achieved by landing optimal tile combinations during the Trail Bonus feature, particularly through Scout or Commander action chains. -
What is the volatility of Dead Man’s Trail slot?
Dead Man’s Trail is a high volatility slot with a win rate of 19.15%. This means wins are less frequent but can be significantly higher when they do occur. Extended dry spells between bonuses are commonplace, requiring patience and bankroll discipline. -
How much does the bonus buy cost in Dead Man’s Trail?
The bonus buy feature costs 100 times your total stake, and it guarantees at least 3 bonus symbols on the next spin, triggering the Trail Bonus. This feature increases the RTP from 96.29% to 98.0%. However, bonus buy is restricted in the UK due to Gambling Commission regulations. -
What triggers the Dead Man’s Trail bonus feature?
Landing 3 or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the Trail Bonus. This activates the board game-style feature where your pawn moves around the treasure island map, navigating mystery chests with 11 different special actions that determine your potential winnings. -
How does the Coin feature work in Dead Man’s Trail?
The Coin feature is triggered when 3 or more coins land on different reels. Each coin displays a multiplier value (ranging from x1 to x100), and the player wins the sum of all visible coin values instantly. This provides occasional base game wins between bonus triggers. -
Can you play Dead Man’s Trail on mobile?
Yes, Dead Man’s Trail is fully compatible with mobile devices. You can play it on iOS and Android devices through most online casinos that feature Relax Gaming titles. Free demo versions are available on multiple gaming aggregator platforms. -
Is the bonus buy feature available in all regions?
No, the bonus buy feature is restricted in certain jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. Players outside restricted regions can use the feature to access the bonus with an increased RTP of 98%. UK players still enjoy the full Trail Bonus experience through natural scatter triggers.
