Hand of Anubis from Hacksaw Gaming reimagines Ancient Egypt through a darker, more intimidating lens. Released in April 2022, this high-volatility cluster-pays slot takes players deep into the underworld, where the god of death himself judges every spin. Forget the golden pyramids and sunlit deserts – here, cold stone, divine wrath, and cascading multipliers dominate the reels.
Game overview
The table below outlines the main specifications of Hand of Anubis, showing its focus on volatility and multiplier-driven gameplay.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Release Date | April 21, 2022 |
| Theme | Ancient Egypt / Dark Mythology |
| Reels / Rows | 5 × 6 |
| Paylines | Cluster pays |
| RTP | 96.24% / 94.32% / 92.28% / 88.41% |
| Volatility | High (5/5) |
| Hit Frequency | 36% |
| Max Win | 10,000× bet |
| Min / Max Bet | €0.10 / €100 |
| Features | Soul Orbs, Underworld Bonus, Judgement Bonus, Multipliers, Feature Buy |
| Platforms | Desktop, Android, iOS |
With a 5×6 layout and 30 symbols per spin, the game uses cascading mechanics to form clusters of five or more matching symbols. Each round feels like a small battle between the player and the judgment of Anubis.
Visual design and atmosphere Hand of Anubis
Unlike the bright aesthetic of most Egyptian-themed slots, Hand of Anubis embraces a grim, foreboding tone. Two jackal-headed gods flank the grid – one glowing with icy blue eyes, the other burning red. Behind them looms a pyramid cloaked in darkness, creating a scene that feels more like a divine trial than a treasure hunt.
Every spin amplifies the tension through heavy percussion and metallic sound effects. The deep visual palette of stone, flame, and shadow sets the tone for a slot where each win feels like surviving a celestial verdict.
Gameplay mechanics
The base game revolves around cluster wins and the Soul Orb system. Wins occur when five or more symbols touch horizontally or vertically. The 10–A card symbols form the low pays, while five golden, jewel-encrusted tokens serve as premiums.
Small clusters of five low symbols pay 0.1× the bet, while large ones (11 or more) reach 15×. Premium clusters range from 0.3×–1× for small wins up to 20×–60× for the biggest combinations. Cascades follow each win, replacing removed symbols with new ones for potential chain reactions.
Soul Orbs
At random, a Red or Blue Soul Orb may appear on the grid – or sometimes both together. These are wild symbols with progressive multipliers that define the slot’s base-game potential.
- Red Soul Orb – multiplier increases by +1 for every symbol in each winning cluster.
- Blue Soul Orb – multiplier increases by +1 per winning cluster.
- When multiple orbs participate in the same win, their multipliers multiply each other.
These interactions can produce unexpectedly large payouts even before triggering any bonus feature, especially when both orbs activate simultaneously.
Underworld bonus
Landing exactly three Bonus Symbols triggers the Underworld Bonus Game. The scene shifts into an even darker chamber with a new multiplier system beneath the reels.
Five multipliers sit below each reel, starting at zero. When a winning cluster lands, the number of winning symbols in each reel is added to its respective multiplier. Special Anubis Skulls can also appear, multiplying the corresponding reel’s number by x2–x10.
Initially, these values are inactive and must be awakened by a Green Soul Orb landing above them. Each activation grants +3 spins and enables its reel multiplier. The sum of all active multipliers is applied to cluster wins, with a maximum value per reel of x9,999. The combination of stacking multipliers and reactivation potential creates intense bonus momentum.
Judgement bonus Hand of Anubis
Landing four Bonus Symbols unlocks the Judgement Feature – a “hold and win” mode reminiscent of Chaos Crew. All standard symbols vanish, leaving only blank blocks or special modifier blocks on the grid. Players begin with three spins, which reset whenever a new multiplier block lands.
- Skulls – increase the multiplier above them by +1 to +100.
- Epic Skulls – add +1 to +100 to all reel multipliers.
- Anubis Skulls – multiply the reel’s value by x2 to x10.
- Epic Anubis Skulls – multiply all reels by x2 to x10.
As blocks fall, Ice Blocks break and transform into active multipliers, while Crushers combine existing multipliers into a single block and reset spins. The feature ends after three dead spins without any new modifiers, often resulting in a screen filled with stacked values.
Bonus buy options
Players in eligible regions can skip straight to the bonus rounds using the Feature Buy menu:
- Underworld Bonus – 129× bet (RTP 96.29%)
- Judgement Bonus – 200× bet (RTP 96.18%)
Both purchases preserve the game’s multiplier structure, maintaining Hacksaw’s high-risk, high-reward design philosophy.
Volatility and performance
Hand of Anubis carries the maximum volatility rating of 5/5, typical for Hacksaw Gaming’s darker releases. The hit frequency of 36% ensures regular small clusters in the base game, while the potential for x10,000 wins remains locked behind the extreme scaling of bonus multipliers.
Performance remains smooth on both desktop and mobile devices, with precise visual effects that never interrupt the pacing — crucial for a slot so dependent on momentum.
Pros and cons
This title exemplifies Hacksaw Gaming’s ability to turn familiar mythology into something bold and atmospheric. Its mechanical depth rewards players who appreciate layered multiplier systems rather than surface-level gameplay.
- Dark Egyptian aesthetic with cinematic visuals.
- Two distinct bonus rounds: Underworld and Judgement.
- Progressive and combinable multipliers up to x9,999.
- Feature buy options available.
- Potential wins up to 10,000× bet.
On the other hand, the high volatility and variable RTP settings mean this game is not for casual play or low-budget testing.
- RTP ranges from 96.24% down to 88.41% depending on the casino.
- Can produce long dry spells between significant hits.
- Requires focus to understand its layered mechanics fully.
Conclusion
Hand of Anubis is not your typical Egyptian slot – it’s a dark masterpiece that merges artistry and brutality. Hacksaw Gaming strips away the clichés of gold and sand, replacing them with stone, fire, and cosmic judgement. The result is a deeply engaging experience built around multiplier synergy and relentless tension. Players who enter the underworld prepared for chaos may find one of Hacksaw’s most rewarding creations to date.
