Time Spinners Slot Review
Hacksaw Gaming continue to show their darker side with Time Spinners, a medieval-themed slot that establishes the developer’s growing portfolio of atmospheric games. Released in August 2022, this sorcerer’s ancient temple offering brings together complex multiplier mechanics with a genuinely immersive setting—something that doesn’t disappointment fans of darker, more nuanced slot design. The game sits firmly in the high volatility space, positioning itself for players who appreciate mechanical depth over constant base game action.
Base Game & Features
Time Spinners operates on a 5-reel, 4-row grid with 10 paylines—a structure that feels restrained compared to the Megaways trend dominating the market. The game’s visual design emphasises the ancient temple atmosphere, with symbols reflecting its dark sorcery theme. The base game focuses heavily on the Wild Multiplier system as its core mechanic, making standard spins feel purposeful rather than merely filler between features.
Wild Multiplier System
Pocket Watch Wilds are the foundation of Time Spinners’ gameplay. These symbols reveal multipliers ranging from 2x to 12x, with a crucial twist: when multiple wild multipliers appear in the same winning combination, their values add together rather than replacing one another. This additive mechanic creates genuine momentum during base gameplay. We didn’t see 10+ multipliers accumulating in base game sessions with regularity, but when they do land, the payoff feels earned rather than arbitrary. Hit frequency sits at 41%, meaning wins arrive frequently enough to maintain engagement without trivialising the gameplay.
Sync & Echo Mechanics
Sync Symbol (represented as a green pocket watch) introduces strategic value to the base game. When it lands, all wild multipliers currently visible on the reels synchronise to match the highest multiplier value. This mechanic prevents situations where a string of low multipliers (2x, 3x, 4x) waste potential, instead elevating them all to the peak value. It’s a subtle but meaningful feature that separates Time Spinners from more traditional multiplier slots.
Echo Symbols add another layer of complexity. These symbols come in two variants: Normal Echo symbols add a fixed value (+1, +2, +3, +4, +5, or +10) to adjacent wild multipliers, whilst Epic Echo symbols multiply them (×2, ×3, ×4, or ×5). The distinction matters significantly—Epic Echo can transform modest multipliers into genuinely powerful values. This dual-variant system creates engaging gameplay where discovering which Echo type appears adds an element of discovery beyond simply chasing feature triggers.
Time Spinners Free Spins & Bonus Features
The Borrowed Time Bonus is where Time Spinners truly distinguishes itself. Triggered by landing 3 Ghost symbols, the bonus operates through a two-phase structure that creates genuine strategic depth rather than passive win accumulation.
Collect Phase
The bonus begins with the Collect Phase, starting with 3 free spins that reset whenever Ghost or special collecting symbols land. This creates potential for extended bonus periods if the reels cooperate. During the Collect Phase, wild multipliers appear and accumulate on the grid. The key mechanic here is that Sync and Echo symbols function normally, allowing players to build increasingly powerful multiplier setups. The phase ends when free spins expire without triggering a reset, transitioning to the final payout stage.
Payout Phase
All wild multipliers accumulated during the Collect Phase become locked in place for the Payout Phase. Here, standard paying symbols and special multipliers interact with the locked configuration from the Collect Phase. Getting the right setup during collection is crucial—a Payout Phase entering with modest multipliers (2x, 3x, 4x) will struggle to generate impressive wins, whilst one carrying strong multipliers (10x, 12x, 12x) creates genuine excitement. The potential for 10,000x maximum win largely depends on navigating this two-phase structure successfully.
Time Spinners is probably the first Hacksaw Gaming slot to genuinely tease the third Ghost symbol needed for triggering the bonus—positioning and symbol teasing on the reels actually occur, adding a psychological element missing from many competitors.
Bonus Buy Feature
Players can purchase direct access to the Borrowed Time Bonus (or Feature Spins) for 100x their stake. This allows bypassing the wait for natural Ghost symbol triggers. Whilst the bonus buy exists, mathematically it doesn’t improve the house edge—the underlying RTP remains consistent whether triggering naturally or purchasing entry. The feature exists primarily for impatient players seeking immediate bonus access rather than improved value.
Our Honest Verdict
Time Spinners represents Hacksaw Gaming at their most ambitious with feature-rich, mechanically complex gameplay. The combination of additive wild multipliers, dual Echo variants, Sync mechanics, and a genuinely interesting two-phase bonus creates a slot that rewards players willing to understand its systems. This isn’t a game you can play passively—the mechanics demand attention, and that’s precisely where it excels.
The standout positives are unambiguous. The wild multiplier system creates momentum even during base gameplay, with Sync and Echo symbols providing meaningful interaction opportunities. The Borrowed Time Bonus structure is genuinely innovative—the transition from collection phase to locked multiplier payouts creates genuine tension and strategic consideration about feature positioning. With a 96.19% default RTP sitting above the 96% industry average and 41% hit frequency, Time Spinners offers fair maths backing the entertainment value. The 10,000x maximum win ceiling is substantial enough to appeal to significant win seekers.
The limitations warrant acknowledgement. As a high volatility (4/5) offering, extended dry spells between bonus triggers occur—this is intentional design, not a flaw, but it’s crucial for prospective players to recognise. Some players have noted the base game, whilst mechanically solid, lacks the personality or visual spectacle that might maintain engagement during longer non-bonus sessions. The sound design, whilst not poor, doesn’t distinctly differentiate from other Hacksaw releases. Positioning mechanics during the bonus phase can feel restrictive if the Collect Phase fails to accumulate meaningful multipliers.
Time Spinners will absolutely satisfy high-volatility enthusiasts, complex mechanics devotees, and players appreciating thematic depth. Casual players seeking consistent base game returns or those new to volatility concepts should explore lower-variance alternatives. For sophisticated players willing to engage with mechanical complexity and accept extended variance, Time Spinners delivers impressive, well-thought-out gameplay that stands apart from the broader Hacksaw Gaming catalogue.
Time Spinners FAQs
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What is the RTP of Time Spinners slot?
Time Spinners features multiple RTP options, with a default RTP of 96.19%. Alternative RTPs available at operator discretion include 94.19%, 92.41%, and 88.40%. The 96.19% default sits above the 96% online slots average, providing above-standard return potential. -
How volatile is Time Spinners slot?
Time Spinners is a high volatility slot (4/5) with a 41% hit frequency. This means wins arrive reasonably often but tend to be smaller during base play, with larger payouts concentrated in the bonus features. The high volatility creates extended dry spells for some players, appealing specifically to those seeking substantial win potential over consistency. -
What is the maximum win in Time Spinners slot?
The maximum win potential in Time Spinners is 10,000x the player’s stake. This maximum is typically achieved during the Borrowed Time Bonus, particularly in the Payout Phase where locked wild multipliers combine with paying symbols for explosive potential. -
How do you trigger the bonus feature in Time Spinners?
The Borrowed Time Bonus triggers upon landing 3 Ghost symbols on the reels. The bonus consists of two distinct phases: the Collect Phase begins with 3 free spins (resetting when Ghost or collecting symbols land) where wild multipliers accumulate, followed by the Payout Phase where all collected multipliers lock in place and interact with standard symbols. -
What are wild multipliers in Time Spinners?
Wild multipliers in Time Spinners are represented by Pocket Watch symbols, carrying values between 2x and 12x. When multiple wild multipliers land within the same winning combination, their values add together rather than replacing one another, creating potential for substantial accumulated multipliers on strong spins. -
Can you buy the bonus feature in Time Spinners?
Yes, players can purchase direct access to the Borrowed Time Bonus (or Feature Spins) for 100x their current stake. This feature bypasses the wait for natural Ghost symbol triggers, though the purchase doesn’t mathematically improve the underlying house edge—it simply provides immediate bonus access for impatient players. -
What game layout does Time Spinners have?
Time Spinners is a 5-reel, 4-row slot with 10 paylines. Betting flexibility ranges from £0.10 minimum to £100 maximum, accommodating players across all bankroll ranges. The grid structure creates a more restrained layout compared to modern Megaways variants. -
What is the Sync symbol in Time Spinners?
The Sync symbol (a green pocket watch) synchronises all wild multipliers currently visible on the reels to match the highest multiplier value present. This mechanic prevents situations where multiple low multipliers waste win potential, instead elevating all multipliers to the peak value—a strategic feature adding meaningful interaction to base gameplay.
