Fear the Dark Slot Review
Hacksaw Gaming have established themselves as developers willing to challenge convention within the slot landscape, and Fear the Dark—released in April 2023—exemplifies their approach to blending thematic ambition with mechanical innovation. Rather than delivering the horror-soaked intensity the title suggests, the studio has crafted a graveyard experience that prioritises entertainment and accessibility over genuine dread. The result is a 6×6 cluster pays game with medium volatility that sits comfortably in Hacksaw’s mid-tier portfolio whilst introducing features that genuinely feel fresh.
Base Game & Features
Fear the Dark operates on a 6×6 grid using cluster pays mechanics rather than traditional paylines. Wins form when five or more identical symbols land adjacent to one another, either horizontally or vertically. What makes this particularly engaging is the cascading wins system—whenever a cluster wins, those symbols vanish and new ones drop from above, potentially creating additional winning combinations without placing a new stake. The payouts scale with cluster size, ranging from 0.1x to 1.5x your bet for smaller 5-symbol clusters, up to 12.8x to 120x for larger 14+ symbol clusters.
The symbol hierarchy reflects the game’s graveyard theme. The Ghost acts as the highest-paying regular symbol, accompanied by other premium icons including the Green Monster, Pig Head, Clown, and Blue Monster. These high-payers form the backbone of the Full Moon Feature multipliers (more on that shortly). The lower-value symbols—Stairs, Headstone, Drink, Square, and Cross—provide the frequency that keeps base gameplay feeling active, with that roughly 25% hit frequency meaning you’ll see winning spins roughly every four rotations.
The Full Moon Feature
Here’s where Hacksaw’s design philosophy shines. Landing the Moon Man scatter symbol during base play triggers the Full Moon Feature, which applies 2 to 5 random symbol multipliers—each ranging from 2x to 100x—above the grid. Each multiplier corresponds to one of the high-paying symbols, so when that symbol lands in a winning cluster, the entire win multiplies accordingly. The mechanic has genuine depth: multipliers are removed one at a time from left to right whenever you complete a spin without new winning clusters, creating a push-your-luck dynamic. When a multiplier is removed, all instances of that symbol (plus all low-payers) vanish from the grid, resetting the board for fresh cascading opportunities.
Free Spins & Darkness Spins
Land 3 or 4 Candle Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid to trigger the Free Spins feature. Three scatters award 10 free spins, whilst four deliver 15. During free spins, the Full Moon Feature activates with significantly increased trigger frequency—you’ll see Moon Man symbols far more often than in base play, effectively turbocharging your multiplier opportunities. Land additional Candle Scatters during the bonus, and you’ll gain 4 extra spins per scatter, with lit candles appearing around the grid edges as visual confirmation of your remaining spins.
When your free spins conclude, the game transitions into Darkness Spins mode—a feature that genuinely differentiates Fear the Dark from standard slot mechanics. Each Darkness Spin automatically awards +2 additional free spins when triggered or reset. Here’s the innovation: the grid itself begins shrinking. It starts at 6×6, then reduces to 4×4, then 2×2 before the feature ends. This creates mounting tension. You can reset the grid back to full size either by landing the Full Moon Feature or by hitting another Candle Scatter, both of which return you to standard free spins. If the grid shrinks below 2×2 without either of those triggers, Darkness Spins conclude and you return to base play.
Bonus Buy & Feature Spins
Outside the UK, Hacksaw provides four distinct bonus buy options. The Bonushunt FeatureSpins cost 3x your current bet and increase bonus trigger frequency by 5x, maintaining the base 96.41% RTP. For direct feature access, the Moon Man FeatureSpins (40x stake) guarantees at least one Moon Man symbol lands, whilst the 10 Free Spins buy (100x stake, 96.23% RTP) and 15 Free Spins buy (150x stake, 96.25% RTP) both include enhanced Full Moon trigger likelihood. These options cater to different budgets and play styles—whether you’re chasing immediate feature access or simply tweaking the mechanics in your favour.
Our Honest Verdict
Fear the Dark presents a compelling mid-tier slot offering from Hacksaw Gaming that delivers genuine entertainment value without overreaching on win potential. The 5,000x maximum win sits below Hacksaw’s typical 10,000x+ offerings, positioning this firmly for players seeking balanced gameplay rather than jackpot-chasing thrills. However, the feature execution—particularly the Darkness Spins innovation—brings fresh mechanical thinking that genuinely engages throughout extended sessions.
The 96.25% RTP with medium volatility creates a realistic payout dynamic. Smaller wins flow regularly thanks to cascading mechanics, whilst the Full Moon Feature and Free Spins sequences deliver those necessary mid-tier payouts that maintain session momentum. The primary drawback surfaces during base game sessions: free spins can prove frustratingly elusive if luck isn’t favourable. Some players will experience extended dry spells before triggering features, though this aligns with the medium volatility positioning.
Visually, the lighthearted graveyard theme resonates well. Rather than chasing genuine horror, Hacksaw embraced cartoonish charm—think Disney’s Rubber Hose animation style applied to spooky characters. Ghosts are cute rather than terrifying, monsters are endearing rather than menacing, and the overall presentation invites casual engagement. The polished animations, eerie yet entertaining sound design, and clear visual feedback during multiplier activations create a professionally executed package.
Who benefits most from Fear the Dark? Casual slot players valuing consistent base game action and balanced bonus potential will find this genuinely satisfying. Mobile-first players particularly appreciate the optimised HTML5 experience across iOS and Android devices. Those appreciating Hacksaw’s signature multiplier philosophy without demanding extreme volatility will recognise the studio’s handiwork immediately. Conversely, jackpot hunters and high-volatility enthusiasts should look elsewhere—the 5,000x cap and feature scarcity during base play won’t satisfy that player archetype.
Fear the Dark sits comfortably as a memorable, non-forgettable release that doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It won’t rank amongst Hacksaw’s portfolio standouts, but it certainly warrants attention from those seeking balanced entertainment with mechanical freshness.
Fear the Dark FAQs
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What is the RTP of Fear the Dark?
Fear the Dark features a primary RTP of 96.25%. However, operators can adjust this to alternative rates including 94.33%, 92.36%, and 88.25% depending on their market regulations. Bonus buy options carry their own RTP variants: Bonushunt FeatureSpins runs at 96.41%, Moon Man FeatureSpins maintains 96.25%, the 10 Free Spins option sits at 96.23%, and the 15 Free Spins option returns to 96.25%. -
What is the maximum win on Fear the Dark?
The maximum possible win in Fear the Dark is 5,000x your stake. This cap applies across all gameplay modes—base game, free spins, and Darkness Spins—ensuring a consistent upper limit for your potential payouts. -
Does Fear the Dark have free spins?
Yes, Fear the Dark includes a comprehensive free spins feature. Landing 3 Candle Scatters triggers 10 free spins, whilst 4 scatters award 15 free spins. Throughout the feature, the Full Moon mechanic activates more frequently than in base play. Land additional scatters, and you’ll gain 4 bonus spins per scatter. When free spins conclude, Darkness Spins mode begins, progressively shrinking the grid whilst awarding +2 spins per activation—a genuinely unique mechanic within Hacksaw’s portfolio. -
What are the Full Moon Feature multipliers in Fear the Dark?
The Full Moon Feature activates when you land the Moon Man scatter symbol. It applies 2 to 5 random symbol multipliers ranging from 2x to 100x above the grid, each corresponding to one of the high-paying symbols. Whenever those symbols land in winning clusters, the entire win multiplies accordingly. Multipliers are removed one at a time from left to right once you complete a spin without new winning clusters, resetting the board for fresh opportunities. -
Can I play Fear the Dark on mobile?
Absolutely. Fear the Dark is fully optimised for mobile play across both iOS and Android devices. The HTML5 technology enables seamless gameplay through any modern browser on smartphones and tablets, with no separate app download required. Simply maintain a stable internet connection and you can access the game whenever suits you. -
Does Fear the Dark have a bonus buy feature?
Yes, Fear the Dark offers bonus buy options outside the UK. Four distinct choices are available: Bonushunt FeatureSpins (3x current bet, 5x bonus trigger likelihood), Moon Man FeatureSpins (40x stake, guaranteed Moon Man symbol), 10 Free Spins (100x bet), and 15 Free Spins (150x bet). These options allow you to customise your feature access based on your preferred play style and budget.
