Now for the fun part; let’s look at the unique features of Duel at Dawn and how to trigger them.
Duel at Dawn
Duel at Dawn Slot Review
| Duel at Dawn | |
|---|---|
| Launched in | November 21, 2024 |
| Developer | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Theme | Wild West |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 5 |
| Bet Levels | 0.10 - 100 |
| Max Win/Jackpot | 15,000x |
| RTP | Default is 96.3%, but dependent on casino |
| Volatility | High (4 / 5) |
| Bonus Features | Wild Multipliers, Expanding Wilds, Additional Wilds, Free Spins, Bonus Buy |
| Availability | MyPrize.us, The Money Factory, Crown Coins |
| Similar Games | Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, Pickle Bandits, The Dog House Dog or Alive |
Duel at Dawn is an exciting online slot game developed by Hacksaw Gaming, and testing it out was some of the most fun I’ve had on slots in a while. Released in late 2024, this game takes players to the heart of the Wild West and immerses you in a high-stakes showdown between a sheriff and an outlaw.
The default RTP for the base game is 96.3% and it does jump up a little higher for the bonus games. However, the RTP is customizable, so make sure to select sweepstakes casinos that provide the highest payout rate.
Two of the standout features here are called DuelReel and Outlaw, and they both involve a cowboy shooting his pistol to help you out on the grid with multipliers and wilds. These features, which come up every few spins, are really fun, and if you manage to land 3 or 4 FS scatter symbols on the grid, you’ll be taken into one of the two bonus games, which up the ante even further.
If you’re ready to experience Duel at Dawn for yourself, you can simply head over to the listed casinos or demo it right here. Continue reading for more details about the game’s features and my thoughts after playing Duel at Dawn for several hours.
Pros
- Massive max win of 15,000x
- Extensive betting range suitable for all
- Really engaging bonus features
- Atmospheric graphics and music
- Available at top sweeps casinos
Cons
- Symbols can sometimes be difficult to make out
- Take note of variance in RTP between casinos
Best Sweepstakes Casinos to Play Duel at Dawn in the US
1
15,000 Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins
- Over 1,000 games
- 425% welcome package
- Skrill and Apple Pay support
2
100,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Sweeps Coins
- Supports crypto
- Hefty intro bonus
- Gamification elements
3
Up to 100,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Cash
- Multiplayer casino-style gaming
- Crypto purchases and redemptions
- Game variety
About Duel at Dawn: Game Overview
Hacksaw Gaming is no stranger to the Wild West, having made waves with Wanted Dead or a Wild and 2 Wild 2 Die previously. Their latest release, Duel at Dawn, follows on from these popular titles, taking players back to dusty cowboy frontiers for a high-stakes showdown – and when I say high stakes, I mean it, because there’s a possible 15,000x max win. Yes, the game’s high volatility and enticing bonus rounds make it a high-risk, high-reward experience that will appeal to thrill-seekers.
Everyone will recognize the iconic Western-style imagery, and here it especially apes video games like Red Dead Redemption. There’s also a dramatic soundtrack in the style of Ennio Morricone, which ramps up when you start hitting. Sometimes slot themes can feel a bit throwaway and separate from the mechanics of the game, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here, as one of the central bonus features is a tense face-off between the Outlaw and the Sheriff to decide which multiplier you’ll get.
It really feels like Duel at Dawn is inviting you to step into the midst of a gunfight; the ever-present cowboy on the side of the screen reminds you of this fact, with his pistol pointed straight at you. Symbols like sheriff badges, cowboy hats, and pistols populate the reels, alongside classic playing card icons; the most valuable symbol is the sheriff badge.
But what really sets Duel at Dawn apart are its innovative mechanics, which I’ll get into in this slot review. The game is loaded with features that take a little while to get used to, but once you’re locked in, it really is about as thrilling as a slot game could be.
Duel at Dawn Slot Information
This slot is played on a 5×5 grid with 19 paylines and potential bets of 0.10 to 100. There are 9 possible main symbols which can form lines with 3, 4, or 5 of each. Detailed diagrams of the paylines and figures for exact payouts per symbol are available within the info section once you’ve launched the game. The Wild symbol is a fundamental part of the game too, acting as a wildcard and helping you form lines on the grid.
To start playing, simply choose your desired virtual currency and bet size using the up and down arrows in the bottom right of the screen; once this is set, you can hit the spin button to start the action. If you want to simplify your gameplay, there is, of course, an auto-spin option, allowing the reels to spin automatically for a set number of rounds, and if you’re in a hurry you can speed this up with the turbo and super turbo spin features.
But honestly, this is one game I felt happy to sit back and watch at normal speed, as it’s truly engaging with the various visuals that appear, especially the DuelReel and Outlaw features.
Duel at Dawn Slot Features
DuelReels - Expanding Wild Multipliers
The first of the two main features is DuelReels, named for the duel that you’ll see take place between the Outlaw and the Sheriff. You see, when a VS symbol lands, it expands into a DuelReel (if it can form a payline for you), which covers the entire reel and triggers the on-screen pistol duel.
Each of the two characters is assigned a multiplier up to 200x, then you’ll hear a gunshot and the winning duelist’s multiplier is applied across the reel, boosting any winning combinations. Basically, you’ll be rooting for whoever has the highest multiplier for you, regardless of whether they’re the good or bad guy!
Outlaw - Expanding Wild Multiplier with Extra Wilds
Similarly, this feature kicks in when an Outlaw symbol lands, expanding into a full reel with a revolver holding 1 to 6 bullets. The cowboy then shoots these bullets randomly across your grid to turn symbols into Wilds, helping create more winning combinations for you – what a nice chap!
Like the DuelReel, the Outlaw reel also has a multiplier ranging from 2x to 200x and will have now turned the whole reel into a wild. You may have now realised it’s more advantageous to land an Outlaw than just a DuelReel – both offer multipliers of 2 – 200x, but with the Outlaw you get the added wild symbols fired across the grid.
The only downside is that only up to 2 Outlaw symbols can land on the reels simultaneously, when no such limit applies to VS symbols.
Wild Wild West - 10 Free Spins
Next we come to the first of two bonus rounds, which are similar to the base game, but offer more chances to land the coveted DuelReels and Outlaws, and therefore more wild multipliers.
Wild Wild West can be activated by landing 3 FS scatter symbols in the base game, awarding 10 free spins in this bonus round. Now the chance of landing high-value multipliers on DuelReels and Outlaw reels is increased a bit, and extra free spins can be earned by landing additional FS scatter symbols.
Dusk ‘Til Dawn - Free Spins with Guaranteed VS Symbols
Then this is the bonus that you really want: Dusk ‘Til Dawn. The sky turns black, the moon comes out, and the wolf starts howling. It’s similar to Wild Wild West free spins, except that it’s triggered by 4 FS scatter symbols and now has some added symbols along the top of the grid.
Basically, every time the Outlaw shows up and works his way through a full chamber of 6 bullets (this could be all in one go, but more likely across multiple appearances), you’ll level up from left to right, and each new level gives you a guaranteed amount of VS symbols in the next spin:
- The first DuelSpin guarantees at least 2 VS symbols
- The second DuelSpin guarantees at least 3 VS symbols
- The third DuelSpin guarantees at least 4 VS symbols
- The fourth DuelSpin guarantees that 5 VS symbols land!
So while it’s rare, it’s possible to gain a board full of VS symbols and therefore wildcards, which, as you can imagine, can create multiple paylines and multipliers, unlocking the max win for you.
By the way, each unlocked DuelSpin in this bonus round awards 3 additional free spins too.
Bonus Buy - 5 Configurable Options
All Hacksaw Gaming slots, including Duel at Dawn, provide multiple bonus buy options. You can pay 3x for higher chances to land scatters. For 60x your stake, your next spin is guaranteed to have Outlaw or VS symbols as you see fit. The free spins bonuses can be activated for 100x and 200x, respectively. The assortment gives you ample room for strategic play at Duel at Dawn, albeit at a significant cost.
Game Specs: RTP & Volatility
Duel at Dawn is classed as high volatility (4 / 5), meaning it offers fewer but larger payouts, so this makes it ideal for players who are looking for bigger rewards at a bit of a higher risk level.
The RTP of 96.3% still provides a solid return over time, meaning that, on average, players can expect to get 96.3% of their wagers back. When you go into the bonus rounds, the RTP is ever so slightly higher.
200 Spins Test of Duel at Dawn
When conducting slot reviews for SweepsKings I like to play 200 spins and record how it all went down. For this one, I started with a bankroll of SC 5,000 and was making wagers of SC 10 per spin. Unfortunately, I only ended up with SC 4,510 by the end, with my biggest win being 28x. I’d say I hit something every 1 in 5 spins, but most wins were barely noticeable. I didn’t even manage to trigger either of the bonus rounds in these 200 spins, so being down overall too, it was a disappointing session.
However, before my Duel at Dawn trial, when I first tested the game out, I did manage to trigger Dusk ‘Til Dawn well within 100 spins, and ended a good deal up in profit as a result. As with many slots, it’s the bonus rounds where you really bring in the coins, so you’ll be hoping for 3 or 4 of those FS scatters; it is possible to get them, but if you don’t seem to be landing them naturally, of course, you can buy the bonus to get there.
This is perhaps worth doing, as when you get those guaranteed VS symbols, the coins can really start to roll in, and the way the multipliers stack is exhilarating to watch.
Our Experts Verdict and Ratings
When you do hit those two bonus rounds, Duel at Dawn really comes into its own and the multipliers can really start to stack up. You’ll be on the edge of your seat hoping for those VS symbols, but even in the standard base game, the DuelReel and Outlaw features keep things interesting too. There’s far more going on than your standard slot game, and it’s honestly one of the best games I’ve played in a long while. Definitely one of the best new games this year, so kudos to Hacksaw.
The only real downside of Duel at Dawn is a minor one, and it’s that, because many of the symbols are playing cards, you can’t always differentiate between them visually at a fast pace. Not that it affects the outcome, but it’s worth noting.
Aside from that, the visuals, music and subtle sound effects are all really immersive, and the way the bonus features are integrated into this Wild West world is very impressive.
Simply put, in my opinion at least, Duel at Dawn is a game you have to try out!
| Duel at Dawn | Rankings | Our Thoughts |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | 95 | Really immersive and cinematic aesthetic. |
| Gameplay | 90 | Easy to understand on the whole, with some special features that take a short while to get used to. |
| Metrics | 85 | If you like high action, high volatility games (which we do), this is for you. |
| Bonus Features | 95 | It’s just plain fun seeing the cowboys duel it out, or the outlaw shooting Wilds across the grid for you. |
| Mobile Compatibility | 95 | The mobile version is slightly less immersive but performs very well. |
FAQs
What is the RTP and volatility of Duel at Dawn?
This game has an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.3%, which is considered a solid rate for a high volatility slot. The game features medium-high volatility, rated at 4/5, meaning players can expect a mix of both small and larger wins, with the potential for higher payouts during the bonus features.
What is the maximum win in Duel at Dawn?
The maximum win in Duel at Dawn is an impressive 15,000x your stake. Individual multipliers can reach up to 200x.
How do the free spins work in Duel at Dawn?
There are two main free spin features in Duel at Dawn: the Wild Wild West bonus and the Dusk ‘Til Dawn bonus. In the Wild Wild West bonus, you can trigger 10 free spins with increased chances for high-value multipliers. The Dusk ‘Til Dawn bonus offers 10 free spins with the opportunity to unlock DuelSpins, guaranteeing VS symbols with increasing numbers of VS symbols in each successive spin.
Where can I play Duel at Dawn?
Duel at Dawn can be played at various sweeps casinos that feature Hacksaw Gaming titles, such as Stake.us, MyPrize.us and The Money Factory.
Is Duel at Dawn available on mobile?
Yes, Duel at Dawn is fully optimized for mobile play. You can enjoy the game on both iOS and Android devices in your normal web browser or sweeps casino app, allowing for smooth gameplay and all the same exciting features as the desktop version.
Author: Mike F.
Updated:
Mike is SweepsKings’ SEO wizard and uses his skills to produce content that answers questions you haven’t even thought of yet! He personally fact-checks all articles posted on SweepsKings and leverages his vast iGaming marketing experience to keep the site feeling fresh.
Mike is SweepsKings’ SEO wizard and uses his skills to produce content that answers questions you haven’t even thought of yet! He personally fact-checks all articles posted on SweepsKings and leverages his vast iGaming marketing experience to keep the site feeling fresh.
