The idea of the ‘Wild West’ has been part of popular culture for decades. The phrase refers to the period in the US when thousands of pioneers moved westward in search of fortune, better lives and, sometimes, an escape from the law. This was largely done immediately after the Civil War in the 1800s and continued until 1912. The Wild West inspires images of cowboys and pistols, both of which feature heavily in NetEnt’s Dead or Alive slot.
Would you like to know more about Dead or Alive and what you can expect when playing? We cover the game in more detail below.
| Game Type | Video Slot Game |
| Release Date | 2009 |
| RTP | 96.80% |
| Volatility | High |
| Slot Build | 5x3, 9 betways |
| Features | Wilds Free Spins Multipliers Scatters |
| Jackpot | No |
| Available on Mobile | Yes |
| Default Min/Max Bet (€) | 0.01/0.5 |
NetEnt’s Dead or Alive was released in 2009 and has remained a market staple for well over a decade. The game introduces players to the rough and tumble world of the American frontier, including some of the most well-known outlaws that the world has ever known. Jesse James and Billy the Kid both make appearances, adding a bit of danger to your spins.
The game’s theme is very clearly the ‘Old West’, also known as the Wild West, and if you are not a fan of this kind of concept, then you might want to skip this one. From its wooden grid to its blue skies, Dead or Alive’s graphics are on point. This is especially true of the symbols, all of which are Western-themed and include cowboy hats, holstered revolvers, a sheriff’s badge, cowboy boots and spurs, and even a shot of whisky, among others.
The game’s sound design is equally well-suited to its theme. Spinning the reels lets loose a flurry of quiet yells and conversation, both of which are very indistinct – they will not hurt your ears or prove too distracting. When winning combinations are made, music with plenty of twang sounds and a muffled exuberant ‘yeehaw’ can be heard. Overall, we think that the soundtrack adds to the player experience and further draws them into the world of the Wild West.
Players are always looking for slots that can be played on mobile, but not all of them are optimised for the device. Luckily, Dead or Alive is offered on a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets as well as laptops. Despite being an older game, it performs wonderfully on mobile devices.
Are you interested in learning more about Dead or Alive’s gameplay? We take a closer look at what players can expect below!
Big match bonus for new players
Features
Dead or Alive is a 5×3 slot with just nine betways. Although it lacks in lines, this is more than made up for by its volatility, and the game is an impressively exciting rollercoaster from start to finish. The bet range is a bit less exciting, however, running from €0.01 to just €0.50. This is likely not enough to entice big spenders, but players who are more comfortable with casual play will likely appreciate the low limit. Dead or Alive features an incredible 96.8% RTP and offers players plenty of opportunities to win.
In addition to the basics described above, players can look forward to a few different bonus features designed to keep the game interesting. These include free spins, wilds and even multiplier wins. Let’s take a closer look at them!
Free spins
The free spins round is a staple across slot games, with most well-respected developers adding a worthwhile bonus round to their titles. NetEnt is no exception, and it has included a fun free spins feature in Dead or Alive. The mode can be triggered by landing at least three scatters. The number of spins you receive depends upon the number of scatters on the board when the round is activated. However, players can win up to 12 of them.
If this was the end of the free spins round, we might be a bit disappointed at the relatively low number of spins awarded. However, there is something else to enjoy. All wins during the free spins round are doubled and receive a 2x multiplier. A cash prize is also issued before the spins begin, with the amount also tied to the number of scatters on the grid at the time. This includes a multiplier of between 4x and 2,500x the wager. Additionally, the feature can be reactivated when you land an additional three or more scatters anywhere on the reels.
Wilds
In addition to the exciting free spins round, players can also expect exciting wilds on the board. The wild symbol is one of our favourites, in fact, and it consists of a ‘wanted’ poster and a cowboy portrait, with some of the most ruthless faces in the Wild West showing up. The wilds turn into sticky wilds during the bonus round, which means that they will stay on the board when the free spins are played.
Landing at least one sticky wild during the free spins round awards players an additional five spins.
Multiplier wins
One of the most impressive of Dead or Alive’s features is its multiplier wins. Lucky players can even trigger 29 free spins! When they land enough sticky wilds on the board, they can even win as much as 3,000x their stake on every free spin. This equals a massive theoretical win, though the likelihood of landing the grand prize is somewhat slim.
Dead or Alive verdict
Dead or Alive is a fun NetEnt title that revels in its theme. Graphically, we love the game and appreciate the detail that went into it. Sometimes, gameplay can suffer so that artwork can shine, but this is not the case with Dead or Alive. The game’s fantastic bonus features and its potential for massive wins make this one a winner.
Dead or Alive is available at casinos with NetEnt games.
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Version 2.0 February 2022
