Drill the Thrill

Drill the Thrill Slot Review

NowNow Gaming announced their arrival on the Hacksaw Gaming OpenRGS platform with Drill the Thrill, a mining-themed slot that launches on 27 July 2026. For a studio entering one of the most competitive content pipelines in the industry, the choice of theme is telling: underground tunnels, glittering gemstones, coin hoards, and a cheerful bearded miner mascot who looks entirely at home surrounded by dynamite and jackpot symbols. It is a setting that has proved fertile ground before, and NowNow have constructed their own take on it with a clear mechanical identity built around expanding reels and Hold & Win collection play.

The game sits on a 5-reel, 3-4-4-4-3 grid in its base configuration, with bets running from 0.10 to 100 per spin. RTP is published at 96.32% for the standard configuration, with lower operator variants available at 94.32% and 92.27% – worth checking at your chosen casino before committing. Volatility is rated medium, which is backed up by a 27.12% hit frequency that keeps base game sessions moving at a steady clip without draining patience between the moments that actually matter.

Drill the Thrill Base Game and Features

The underground setting is executed with genuine care. The tunnels, lanterns, rocky walls, and gemstone symbols create a lighthearted atmosphere that fits the mechanics perfectly without taking itself too seriously. Our player noted that “the mining theme works really well here – it doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that helps make the overall experience feel fun and approachable.” The eccentric miner mascot reinforces this tone throughout. Audio follows the same logic: drill activations are impactful and feature triggers feel rewarding, while the music stays in the background without becoming repetitive. It is the kind of sound design that makes extended sessions comfortable rather than draining.

The base game is built around two symbols that drive the entire feature economy. Standard reel play across the 3-4-4-4-3 grid feels smooth and well-paced. With a 27.12% hit frequency, there are enough smaller wins landing regularly to maintain momentum without the game feeling artificially busy. The pacing sits comfortably in the middle ground where there is always a reason to keep spinning, waiting for the next drill symbol to appear and shift the energy of the session.

Silver Drill – Reel Expansion

When the Silver Drill symbol lands during a base spin, the middle reels expand dramatically, opening the grid up to 4,608 ways to win. Coin and jackpot symbols become active on the expanded reels. In practice, every Silver Drill landing immediately changes the feel of the spin. As our player described it: “the real excitement came whenever the Silver Drill appeared because it instantly changed the feel of the spin and opened up the possibility for larger combinations and bonus potential.” It is worth noting that the Silver Drill acts primarily as a setup mechanic – exciting in isolation, but at its best when it creates the conditions for the Golden Drill to follow.

Golden Drill – Hold and Win

The Golden Drill triggers the Hold & Win phase when it lands after the Silver Drill has already expanded the reels. All coin and jackpot symbols on the grid become sticky, and further respins are awarded to collect additional coins and jackpots. The total jackpot value can climb as high as 2,500x the stake during this phase – a hard ceiling that defines the feature’s upper range within the bonus. The bonus concludes when awarded respins run out or the grid fills.

The tension this creates is genuine. “Seeing coins and jackpots lock in place while chasing additional symbols created some genuinely tense moments,” our player reported. “The Hold & Win mechanic is easy to understand and gives players a clear goal during the feature.” The coin and jackpot collection system creates tangible progression: each respin either advances the total or edges toward running out, and the stakes feel real throughout. Professional previews have noted that the cascading nature of sticky symbols builds tension effectively with each respin – a mechanic that Hacksaw-adjacent design tends to execute well.

Blast Zone Bonus – Free Spins

The premium feature is the Blast Zone Bonus, triggered by landing 3 FS Scatter symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4 during the base game. It awards 5 free spins with the Silver Drill guaranteed on every spin, which means the reels stay fully expanded throughout the entire feature. Coin and jackpot symbols can land on any spin, and Golden Drills can convert the round into the Hold & Win feature. There are no retriggers.

Five spins sounds brief, and it is – but the guaranteed expansion on every spin changes the character of the feature entirely. “Starting with guaranteed Silver Drills on every free spin meant there was action immediately,” our player noted. “Even though it’s only five spins long, every spin feels important because the reels stay expanded throughout.” The absence of retriggers means there is no padding: every spin counts, and the potential for a Golden Drill to convert into Hold & Win keeps the feature tense from start to finish.

This is the feature our player singled out as the best in the game: “the Blast Zone Bonus was the premium feature of the session – it combines everything that makes the game fun. The guaranteed Silver Drill on every spin keeps the action going and gives the feature a premium feel from start to finish.” Independent previews echoed this, noting that the guaranteed drills keep the intensity high throughout, though the lack of retriggers may leave some players wanting extended bonus sessions. For Hold & Win enthusiasts specifically, the potential to convert a Blast Zone Bonus into a full respin phase is where the biggest wins reside.

Bonus Buy

Drill the Thrill includes a bonus buy option, giving players the ability to purchase direct access to the Blast Zone Bonus rather than waiting for the scatters to land naturally. The exact cost of the bonus buy was not captured during our session, so players should confirm the purchase price in their chosen casino’s game client before using it.

Our Honest Verdict

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

Drill the Thrill is an enjoyable mining-themed slot that combines expanding reels, Hold & Win mechanics, jackpot collection, and free spins into a package that is easy to understand and rewarding to play through. NowNow Gaming’s debut on the Hacksaw OpenRGS platform makes a credible impression: the mechanical structure is clean, the theme is executed with personality, and the feature sequence has a clear internal logic that Hold & Win fans will recognise and appreciate.

Our player landed a session best of 640x stake during a strong feature sequence with expanded reels and several valuable symbols connecting across the larger grid. That figure is well clear of the 2,500x jackpot ceiling during any single Hold & Win phase, but sits comfortably below the game’s theoretical 10,000x maximum win. For context, 10,000x puts Drill the Thrill in a respectable position within today’s market, even if the ceiling has been pushed higher elsewhere. For medium-volatility gameplay, it remains more than enough to generate meaningful results when a strong Blast Zone Bonus converts into a full Hold & Win sequence.

On RTP: the published 96.32% is competitive for a medium-volatility title and sits above the industry average. Players should be aware of the lower operator variants at 94.32% and 92.27%, which some platforms will use. Check before playing if RTP transparency matters to your decision.

The game will more than satisfy players who enjoy Hold & Win mechanics, expanding reel slots, and feature-driven gameplay with frequent action at manageable risk levels. It may not be the slot for players chasing extreme volatility, massive retrigger chains, or ultra-high theoretical maximums. The comparison to other Hacksaw-adjacent titles with mining themes and coin collection mechanics is fair: Drill the Thrill occupies similar territory and handles the formula competently without fundamentally reinventing it.

It is a game worth revisiting when the mood calls for medium-volatility play with genuine feature potential. The Silver Drill and Golden Drill mechanics provide enough momentum to keep sessions interesting, and the possibility of chasing a full Hold & Win sequence through the Blast Zone Bonus gives it solid replay value. NowNow Gaming launches in good form.

Drill the Thrill FAQs

• What is the RTP of Drill the Thrill?

  Drill the Thrill has an RTP of 96.32%, with additional variants at 94.32% and 92.27% depending on casino configuration.
• What is the maximum win in Drill the Thrill?

  The maximum win in Drill the Thrill is 10,000x your stake.
• How do you trigger free spins in Drill the Thrill?

  Land 3 FS Scatter symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4 during the base game to trigger 5 free spins with a guaranteed Silver Drill on every spin.
• What is the volatility of Drill the Thrill?

  Drill the Thrill is a medium volatility slot game, providing a balanced mix of frequent smaller wins and larger payouts.
• Who developed Drill the Thrill?

  Drill the Thrill is developed by NowNow Gaming, a partner studio that distributes through the Hacksaw Gaming OpenRGS platform.
• What is the bet range in Drill the Thrill?

  You can bet from 0.10 to 100 per spin in Drill the Thrill.
• What are the main features of Drill the Thrill?

  The main features are Silver Drill (reel expansion to 4,608 ways), Golden Drill Hold and Win (sticky symbols with respins), and Blast Zone Bonus (5 free spins with guaranteed Silver Drill).
• When is Drill the Thrill scheduled to release?

  Drill the Thrill is scheduled for release on 27 July 2026.