Highway to Hell is a video slot machine developed by NetEnt, a renowned software provider for online casinos. This game is part of a growing trend of rock-themed slots that aim to recreate the high-energy atmosphere of concerts and festivals. Released in 2018, it has free demo since become one of the top-performing titles within NetEnt’s portfolio.
The game takes place on a scenic highway at sunset, with twisted metal debris scattered along the sides of the road. Players embark on this journey, navigating through treacherous terrain as they spin their way to potential riches. In terms of gameplay and design, Highway to Hell attempts to combine an immersive experience with profitable wins, appealing to players seeking high-octane entertainment.
Theme
Highway to Hell’s theme centers around a rock concert scenario where the band members, led by ‘Ozzy Osbourne,’ are performing on tour. The game incorporates iconic symbols associated with heavy metal music and rock culture, including guitars, skulls, and flame-patterned backdrops reminiscent of classic stage sets.
Design
Visually, the slot boasts an eye-catching design that captures the energy and chaos often seen at a concert venue. NetEnt’s artistic team carefully balanced elements to create a visually appealing experience across various devices. Players can choose between multiple screen resolutions to accommodate their preferred gaming setup.
Game Grid
The game features five reels with 243 ways to win, where players must land identical symbols along the adjacent reel in order from left-to-right. Each spin offers an exciting opportunity to unravel the potential rewards hidden within these stacked rows of rock concert merchandise and musical instruments.
Symbols
Highway to Hell incorporates a diverse set of high-paying, mid-paying, low-paying symbols, as well as wilds, scatters, free spins, and bonus features to provide multiple opportunities for win. The icons are grouped into categories: lower-paying (standard cards J, Q, K, A) and higher-paying (guitars, flame-patterned guitars, metal helmets with flame patterns).
The key symbols in Highway to Hell include:
- Ozzy Wild: Ozzy’s head serves as the wild symbol. When Ozzy appears on a reel during Free Spins feature, it increases by one extra spin for each win obtained from those reels.
- Rock Bonus Scatter Symbol: The rock bonus scatter is represented by an ‘Electric Guitar.’ Players can land three or more of these scatters to initiate the Rock Bonus round.
Payouts
Each winning combination corresponds to specific payouts. A player’s total stake will be multiplied according to their wins, determined based on each unique symbol appearing along a set of adjacent reels from left-to-right on the grid.
Pays and Paylines:
- Wild Multiplier: The Ozzy Wild is used as a substitute in any combination of win, providing extra bonus potential.
- High Symbol Payouts:
- Three Flame Guitar icons: 2x to 5 times stakes
- Three Helmets with flame patterns: 3x to 8 times stakes
Free Spins
To unlock free spins, players need at least three of the Electric Guitars to land anywhere on the screen. Free spin features will reward them with up to twelve bonus games.
RTP and Volatility
RTP stands for Return To Player (also known as ‘return percentage’ or ‘payback’), referring to how much a slot machine pays out in prizes relative to stakes taken by players over time, expressed as a fraction of the overall total. The return rate is determined according to specific probabilities that influence winning outcomes.
- Highway to Hell’s RTP: Estimated around 96%, providing a relatively fair betting environment for this particular game title.
- Volatility levels vary slot-by-slot but generally categorize games in three primary classes: low, medium, or high. Highway to Hell falls under the category of ‘high volatility.’