Dead or Alive

Although a sequel title has been produced, many players would argue that nothing beats the original Dead or Alive slot. A trendsetter on its release, NetEnt’s game pre-empted a new era of gameplay, as consumers were greeted by a combination of well-produced, theme-sensitive graphics, a compelling gaming environment, and an all-important, supercharged winning potential.

The game comes equipped with an inviting free spin round, which sees the amalgamation of a wilds feature that serves to boost player credits substantially. Dead or Alive also has captivated the masses for many a year and provides a wealth of entertainment via its charming backdrop, melodic tunes, and wholesome Western vibe.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, for such a timeless slot, the trigger for the title’s bonus segment is operated by the presence of scatter icons. Represented as a set of crossed guns, the scatter symbol must appear on at least three reels for players to access the bonus round.

Regardless of whether more than three scatters materialise on the five-columned pay table, players will be issued 12 free spins once the special feature has been activated. Nevertheless, should five separate double-gun symbols appear simultaneously, players will scoop up 2,500x their line stake prior to entering the bonus area.

As well as the 12 free spins, during the bonus, ‘sticky wilds’ will be intermittently introduced into the game. These not only act as transferrable symbols to supplement winning combinations but ‘hold’ onto reels throughout the feature. Therefore, a sticky wild tethers itself to a reel on spin two, and will remain in place for the remaining ten rounds. If all five reels are saddled with sticky wilds at any stage, the player will be allocated an additional five free spins, which will multiply their wager by 333 times for the remainder of the bonus session.

Dead or Alive does work hard to immerse the player in all things Western, with a saloon-framed playing board, a smattering of cowboy-themed images, and jangly, country-style tunes that wouldn’t feel misplaced in a Clint Eastwood blockbuster.

The cackle of background thunder, descending grey clouds, and the sound of a gun re-loading on each in-game spin create an ominous, intriguing feel, transporting the player to the ambiguous, dangerous conditions of 1800s western America.

NetEnt is one of the industry’s powerhouse developers and presides over a range of sterling slot titles. For players keen to continue their Western adventure, not much can go wrong with checking out the slot’s follow-up title, Dead or Alive 2. A more relaxing but equally famous slot is NetEnt’s Starburst, currently one of the most popular online casino games on the planet.

If you’re looking for more slots with a western theme, why not try Deadwood from Nolimit City or Gold Rush from Hacksaw Gaming.

Dead or Alive slot also utilises a number of Western-influenced items to represent the best value outcomes. Players are given a whistle-stop tour of a Cowboy’s apparel with boots, Stetsons and gun holsters all present, topped off with a staple saloon favourite: the whisky shot.

Given that the loose narrative of the game is based on the player assuming the role of lawful sheriff, ridding a Western town of undesirable elements, the law enforcer's badge is the highest value symbol, with five synchronised appearances earning 100x the original stake.
In standard slot fashion, at least three consecutive symbols emerging from the furthest left reel will generate player winnings.

As per the bonus feature, wilds are dropped into the game at random, which then adapt to form combinations dependent on the symbols in its vicinity. The wild icon doubles up as a typical Western-style wanted poster.

The game’s pay table facilitates a traditional 5x3 reel structure, with nine separate pay lines available, with each winning sequence clearly explained in the helpful information section located at the bottom left of the screen.

Given its four-level, £0.50 coin value maximum, the upper stake limit is positioned at £18, so is perhaps a little light-hearted for some of the more ambitious high-rollers. Nevertheless, the ability to adjust wager amounts in small increments up to the top threshold allows most players to sustain a comfortable bet level.