In the realm of ancient Egyptian mythology, few figures inspire more awe and mystery than Anubis, the jackal-headed god of the afterlife. The Hand of Anubis slot game, developed by Hacksaw Gaming, transforms this mysterious deity into the centerpiece of a dark and thrilling adventure. With its ominous design, immersive audio, and innovative mechanics, this slot offers a unique experience for players seeking something beyond the typical Egyptian slot fare.
In this article, we’ll take you deep into the core mechanics, bonus features, design aesthetics, and strategies of the Hand of Anubis slot. Whether you’re a newcomer to the slot world or a seasoned veteran, prepare for a ride through the shadows of the afterlife.
Game Overview – Shadows, Symbols, and Sinister Surprises
Hand of Anubis is not your typical Egyptian-themed slot filled with golden scarabs and pyramids bathed in sunlight. Instead, this game dives into the dark underbelly of ancient myth. The reels are surrounded by stone obelisks and cursed statues, while Anubis looms on either side, his glowing red eyes casting judgment on your every spin.
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Developer: Hacksaw Gaming
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Release Date: April 2022
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RTP: 96.24% (with versions offering 94.31% or 92.26% depending on the casino)
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Volatility: High
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Reels/Grid: 5×6 (Cluster Pays mechanic)
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Max Win: 10,000x your bet
The core of this game is its Cluster Pays system, which means wins occur when 5 or more matching symbols are connected horizontally or vertically. No paylines here—just raw connections, which leads to massive potential combinations and cascading wins.
Visual & Audio Design – Darkness Meets Divinity
One of the standout features of Hand of Anubis is its hauntingly beautiful design. Set against a backdrop of desolate tombs and ancient statues, the reels pulsate with a red and blue glow, hinting at the eternal battle between judgment and redemption.
Each spin feels cinematic. The soundtrack is filled with eerie tones, whispering voices, and ominous drumbeats, keeping players on edge. When bonus features trigger, Anubis roars with approval (or warning), further immersing you into this underworld narrative.
Unlike many slots that use cartoonish interpretations of myth, Hand of Anubis opts for realism and grit, making it perfect for players who want a serious and atmospheric slot experience.
Symbols & Payouts – From Skulls to Sacred Fire
Let’s break down the core symbols that appear on the grid:
Basic Symbols
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Colored Skull Symbols: Green, Blue, Red, and Purple – These are the lower paying symbols.
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Upgraded Skull Symbols: Glowing variants of the base skulls – These pay significantly more when landed in clusters.
Special Symbols
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Soul Orbs (Red and Blue): These represent Multiplier Modifiers during the Underworld Bonus.
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Green Soul Symbol: Activates the Judgment Bonus.
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Bonus Symbols: Land 3 of these to trigger either of the two main bonus rounds.
Payout System
The game doesn’t rely on traditional payouts per line. Instead, the larger your symbol cluster, the higher your reward. For example, landing 15+ of the same symbol can yield massive wins, especially if multipliers are involved.
Features and Bonus Rounds – What Lies Beyond the Grave?
1. Cascading Wins
After each winning cluster, the winning symbols are removed, and new ones fall from above. This can trigger chains of consecutive wins, which is particularly powerful in combination with the Multiplier mechanics in bonus rounds.
2. Underworld Bonus
Triggered by landing three Bonus symbols, this feature drops you into a world of eternal judgment. Each reel now features a multiplier at the bottom, starting at 1x.
Here’s what makes it exciting:
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Soul Orbs with Red or Blue hues land and are tracked.
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When a Soul Orb lands, it adds to the column multiplier based on the number of wins and symbol values.
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These multipliers stay active until the end of the round, applying to every win on their respective reels.
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You have 3 lives, and every spin without a Soul Orb decreases your life. Landing new Soul Orbs resets your life count to 3.
The potential here is enormous, as the column multipliers can skyrocket into the hundreds, making for explosive wins.
3. Judgment Bonus
This rarer feature triggers when Green Soul Symbols land with 3 Bonus icons. Each reel becomes a multiplier reel with Modifying Blocks that can increase your multiplier in various ways:
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Normal Blocks add fixed multipliers.
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Doom Blocks reset or reduce multipliers.
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Anubis Blocks double the current multiplier.
As you spin, the blocks stack vertically, with multipliers rising from below. Once again, 3 lives are given, and each non-productive spin takes one away.
This is where the 10,000x max win becomes possible—thanks to insane column multipliers combined with full-screen hits.
Bonus Buy Feature – Skip to the Afterlife
For those not wanting to wait for natural bonus triggers, Hacksaw Gaming includes a Bonus Buy feature:
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Underworld Bonus: 129x your bet
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Judgment Bonus: 200x your bet
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Random Feature Buy: 180x your bet
This lets you experience the game’s high-volatility bonus rounds instantly, though it’s not available in all regions due to regulatory restrictions.
Mobile Experience – Death in Your Pocket
Hand of Anubis performs beautifully on mobile devices. Whether you’re playing on Android or iOS, the game retains its high-resolution graphics, smooth animations, and fully immersive audio.
The mobile interface uses touch gestures effectively, and cascading mechanics feel snappy and responsive, even during high-action bonus rounds. With intuitive controls and a dark UI, this game is perfect for gaming on the go.
Strategies & Tips – Walking with the Jackal
Though slot games are inherently based on luck, there are some tips that can help improve your experience:
1. Understand the Bonuses First
The real potential in Hand of Anubis lies in the Underworld and Judgment features. Read the paytable and understand how Soul Orbs and multipliers work so you’re not confused mid-round.
2. Use Bonus Buy Cautiously
If your bankroll allows it, Bonus Buy can accelerate gameplay and land you in the high-volatility zones quickly. However, use this with moderation due to the high cost per buy.
3. Start Small
Due to the high volatility, dry spells are possible. Start with smaller bets to test the waters before ramping up.
4. Look for Licensed Casinos
Only play at licensed platforms to ensure fair play and access to RTP settings that favor the player (choose the 96.24% version if available).
Why Play Hand of Anubis?
In a sea of Egyptian-themed slots, Hand of Anubis stands apart. It offers:
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A refreshingly dark aesthetic
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Unique, layered bonus rounds
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A chance to win up to 10,000x your bet
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Excellent mobile optimization
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Smart use of cluster pays and column multipliers
If you’re tired of cookie-cutter reels and crave a slot experience that’s atmospheric, intense, and rewarding, Hand of Anubis is your gateway to the other side.
Final Verdict – Death Has Never Been This Exciting
Hand of Anubis is a beautifully crafted game where design, math, and mythology collide. It’s not for the faint of heart—its high volatility and complex bonus features demand a level of patience and attention—but those who dare to spin may find themselves in the favor of the gods.
With a strong RTP, deep mechanics, and unmatched style, this slot is a masterclass in dark mythological storytelling. Hacksaw Gaming continues to push boundaries, and Hand of Anubis proves they’re not afraid to take players where few games dare to tread.
Dare to spin? Anubis awaits…