Rusty & Curly Slot Review
Hacksaw Gaming have built a reputation for character-driven slots with vibrant animations and engaging mechanics, and Rusty & Curly continues this tradition with a Western-themed setting that prioritises fun over gritty realism. Released in early 2024, this 5-reel, 4-row slot brings two loveable outlaw characters to life with colourful, cartoon-style graphics and a playful approach to the Wild West theme. The game sits comfortably in the medium volatility space with a solid 96.29% RTP and 10,000x maximum win potential, positioning itself as an accessible offering for players seeking character-focused gameplay without the extreme variance of high-volatility alternatives.
What sets Rusty & Curly apart is its focus on base game engagement rather than relying entirely on bonus features for entertainment value. The semi-sticky Wild Poster mechanic, paired with a respectable 32% hit frequency, keeps the reels moving with regular payouts and respins that maintain momentum between features. For players familiar with Hacksaw’s catalogue, this release delivers the kind of engaging, character-focused experience the studio is known for.
Base Game & Features
The core mechanics of Rusty & Curly revolve around a 5×4 grid with 14 paylines, providing a straightforward but effective win structure. The game operates with standard symbols across the reels, though the visual presentation is anything but standard-the cartoon character designs and vibrant desert landscape create an entertaining visual experience that differs from grittier Western-themed alternatives like Wanted Dead or Alive.
Wild Poster Feature & Respins
The Wild Poster mechanic serves as the game’s signature feature during base gameplay. These sticky symbols land with hearts and random multipliers-ranging from 2x to 10x in the base game-and remain on the reels, granting respins as long as at least one heart remains. Each respin consumes one heart per Wild Poster, creating a strategic rhythm to base game play. The semi-sticky respins keep the base game exciting and engaging, preventing the feeling of stale or tedious spins that can plague medium volatility games. Players report being satisfied with the value these respins provide, noting that regular payouts and action maintain engagement throughout extended play sessions.
Hit Frequency & Base Game Pacing
With a confirmed 32% hit frequency, Rusty & Curly delivers wins frequently enough to keep the momentum flowing during base gameplay. This aligns perfectly with the medium volatility classification and balances the game nicely-regular payouts avoid long dry spells, whilst the 10,000x maximum win potential remains purely bonus-dependent, creating meaningful differentiation between base game and feature play. The game structure encourages players to progress towards the bonus rounds rather than expecting them during regular spins.
Rusty & Curly Free Spins
Rusty & Curly features two distinct bonus rounds, each with unique mechanics and character involvement that separates them mechanically and thematically.
Stick to the Plan Bonus
The first bonus round, triggered by landing three scatter symbols, awards 6 free spins with enhanced Wild Poster multipliers climbing up to x100. This is a substantial upgrade from the x2-x10 range seen in the base game, creating tangible excitement when the bonus activates. The multiplier enhancement during this mode serves as the primary bonus appeal, with players noting the multipliers deliver impressive payouts when Wild Posters land during these spins.
Who Shot the Sheriff Bonus
The second bonus round, triggered by four scatter symbols, represents the true highlight of Rusty & Curly. This mode awards 12 free spins spread across 3 cycles, with expanded mechanics featuring the Rusty and Curly characters expanding into wild reels with character-driven multiplier shooting mechanics. Community feedback identifies this as an engaging, entertaining feature where the characters actively participate in the bonus action, delivering what many describe as the standout moment of the game experience. The expanded wild reel mechanics and character animations create a visually and mechanically distinct experience compared to the Stick to the Plan round.
Bonus Buy Options
Players seeking faster access to bonus features have four purchase options available: BonusHunt (3x bet for 5x bonus trigger probability), The Stick Up (50x bet for guaranteed 5+ Wild Posters), Stick to the Plan (100x bet for direct 6-spin bonus), and Who Shot the Sheriff (300x bet for direct 12-spin bonus). These provide meaningful shortcuts for impatient players, with costs scaling appropriately with the feature value being accessed.
Our Honest Verdict
Rating: 7.5/10
Rusty & Curly delivers exactly what Hacksaw Gaming subscribers expect-a character-driven, visually engaging slot with solid mechanics that balance medium volatility accessibility with meaningful win potential. The game excels in base game engagement through the Wild Poster respin mechanic, which differentiates it from competitors that lean entirely on bonus features for entertainment. The 96.29% RTP and 32% hit frequency combine to create balanced gameplay that maintains player engagement without extreme variance swings.
The standout positives are clear: the Who Shot the Sheriff bonus delivers engaging, character-focused mechanics with genuine entertainment value beyond pure win potential, the cartoon-style visual design differentiates it from grittier Western slots through humorous charm, and the medium volatility positioning makes it accessible to a broad player base. The gameplay pacing remains solid throughout, with the Wild Poster respins preventing tedious stretches between wins.
However, there are limitations worth acknowledging. Whilst the 10,000x maximum win is noteworthy for medium volatility, it won’t satisfy players specifically chasing massive multipliers who gravitate toward high volatility releases. The base game, despite its regular payouts, remains ultimately a vehicle for reaching the bonus features rather than a destination unto itself. The Stick to the Plan round, whilst functional, lacks the distinctive appeal of Who Shot the Sheriff, making the bonus experience asymmetrical.
For players who appreciate Hacksaw Gaming’s character-focused design philosophy and prefer balanced volatility with regular payouts, Rusty & Curly will more than suffice. The medium volatility makes it suitable for both casual spinners enjoying steady gameplay and those seeking excitement through bigger wins. The wide bet range from 0.10 to 100 units ensures accessibility for low-stake casual players and high-rolling enthusiasts alike. Those specifically seeking feature-heavy gameplay or extreme win potential should look toward Hacksaw’s higher volatility catalogue-but for fans of the developer’s distinctive style, this delivers the engaging, character-driven fun the studio is known for.
Rusty & Curly FAQs
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What is the RTP of Rusty and Curly slot?
The default RTP of Rusty and Curly is 96.29%, which is above the industry average. Operators can adjust the RTP to 94.31%, 92.25%, or 88.31% depending on market regulations and player preferences. -
What is the maximum win in Rusty and Curly?
Rusty and Curly offers a maximum win of 10,000x your stake. Both bonus rounds are capable of hitting this maximum win cap, though the base game cannot, making the bonus features essential for reaching the full potential. -
What is the volatility level of Rusty and Curly?
Rusty and Curly has medium volatility, rated 3 out of 5 on the Hacksaw Gaming volatility scale. This provides regular payouts with a 32% hit frequency to maintain player engagement whilst preserving meaningful win potential. -
What are the main bonus features in Rusty and Curly?
Rusty and Curly features two main bonus rounds: Stick to the Plan (6 free spins with Wild Poster multipliers enhanced to x2-x100) triggered by 3 scatters, and Who Shot the Sheriff (12 spins in 3 cycles with character-driven expanding wild reels) triggered by 4 scatters. Both offer up to 10,000x win potential through the Wild Poster mechanic. -
Can you buy the bonus features in Rusty and Curly?
Yes, Rusty and Curly offers four buy bonus options: BonusHunt (3x bet for 5x bonus trigger probability), The Stick Up (50x bet for guaranteed 5+ wild posters), Stick to the Plan (100x bet for direct 6-spin bonus), and Who Shot the Sheriff (300x bet for direct 12-spin bonus). -
How many reels and paylines does Rusty and Curly have?
Rusty and Curly is a 5-reel, 4-row video slot with 14 paylines. Players can bet between 0.10 and 100 in currency units per spin. -
What is the Wild Poster feature in Rusty and Curly?
Wild Posters are sticky symbols that can land with hearts and multipliers (x2-x10 in base game, x2-x100 in bonus). They remain on the reels and grant respins as long as at least one heart remains. Each respin costs one heart per Wild Poster, creating strategic respin sequences during play. -
When was Rusty and Curly slot released?
Rusty and Curly was released by Hacksaw Gaming in early 2024, with initial release in February 2024 and market rollouts continuing through March and April. It features a Wild West theme with the outlaw duo characters Rusty and Curly in a colourful, character-driven setting.
