Hex Slot Review – Relax Gaming
Hex is an innovative and visually captivating online slot developed by Relax Gaming, a studio known for creating engaging and high-quality games. Released in 2020, Hex offers players a unique gaming experience with its striking hexagonal grid, engaging gameplay, and plenty of rewarding features. With its otherworldly theme and potential for big payouts, this slot stands out in the crowded world of online slot games.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into all aspects of Hex, including its gameplay mechanics, design, features, and win potential. Whether you’re a fan of abstract themes, cluster-pays mechanics, or just looking for a fresh slot experience, Hex has something to offer.
Game Overview
- Developer: Relax Gaming
- Release Date: 2020
- Reels/Rows: 6×6 grid
- Paylines: Cluster Pays
- RTP: 96.1%
- Volatility: High
- Maximum Win: 50,000x your bet
- Bet Range: €0.10 to €100 per spin
Theme and Visuals
The theme of Hex is abstract and otherworldly, with a focus on mysterious hexagonal shapes and an ethereal, cosmic setting. The game is set against a backdrop of glowing lights, neon hues, and shifting geometric shapes that give the game a surreal, dreamlike quality. There’s a sense of the mystical and the unknown, with symbols and features that evoke a sense of puzzle-solving and discovery.
The hexagonal grid layout is unique, adding a fresh feel to the game and making it visually distinct. It’s not your typical square grid layout; the hexagonal grid gives the game an unconventional look that plays into its abstract theme. The symbols that appear on the grid are designed in a similarly abstract style, featuring glowing geometric shapes in various colors. These symbols include hexagons, diamonds, and other abstract figures that pulse and change color as they land on the grid.
The color scheme is dominated by vibrant neon purples, blues, and pinks, with accents of green and yellow. This neon aesthetic gives the game a futuristic vibe, while the soft background music, consisting of ambient synths, creates a calming atmosphere that contrasts well with the high-energy gameplay. As you progress through the game, the visuals remain immersive, with animated symbols and background effects that heighten the excitement.
Gameplay Mechanics
Hex uses a 6×6 hexagonal grid, a layout that is different from the traditional rectangular reels in most slots. The Cluster Pays mechanic replaces traditional paylines, requiring players to land clusters of at least five matching symbols that are adjacent to each other horizontally or vertically. This mechanic opens up the game to more dynamic and diverse win combinations, as clusters can form in multiple ways across the grid.
After every winning combination, the Cascading Reels feature kicks in, where winning symbols disappear and new ones fall into place, potentially creating more clusters and more wins. This cascade feature can continue as long as new winning clusters are formed, making every spin potentially lead to several consecutive wins.
The high volatility of Hex means that wins are generally less frequent but can be large when they do occur. This makes it an excellent choice for players who enjoy the thrill of chasing big wins, particularly in the game’s bonus features. The RTP of 96.1% is slightly above average, offering a fair return over time.
The betting range in Hex is from €0.10 to €100 per spin, catering to both casual players and high-rollers. This flexibility makes the game accessible to a wide audience, whether you’re playing for fun or hoping to land a major payout.
Symbols and Payouts
Low-Paying Symbols:
The low-paying symbols in Hex are represented by abstract geometric shapes. These symbols include various hexagons, triangles, squares, and circles in a range of neon colors. While these symbols don’t offer large payouts, they appear frequently, helping to maintain a steady flow of smaller wins and keeping the game moving.
High-Paying Symbols:
The high-paying symbols in Hex are also abstract in design, but they stand out due to their glowing and intricate appearance. Some of the higher-paying symbols include:
- Hexagon with a star
- Hexagon with a diamond
- Neon triangles and squares
These symbols have the potential to deliver much higher payouts when they form clusters, with the Hexagon with a star symbol being the most valuable. The win potential increases significantly when larger clusters of these symbols are formed.
Special Symbols:
- Wild Symbol: The Wild symbol in Hex is represented by a golden hexagon and can substitute for any other symbol (except the Scatter symbol) to help form winning clusters. Wilds are important for increasing the likelihood of larger clusters and bigger wins.
- Scatter Symbol: The Scatter symbol is represented by a glowing orb and is key to triggering the Bonus Feature. Landing three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid activates the Bonus Game, which unlocks the opportunity to win free spins and multipliers.
Special Features
Cascading Reels
One of the key features in Hex is the Cascading Reels mechanic. After each win, the symbols involved in the winning cluster disappear, making space for new symbols to fall into place. This can lead to chain reactions of wins, with multiple winning combinations occurring during a single spin. Cascading reels add a dynamic layer to the gameplay, making each spin feel more exciting, as the potential for additional wins increases with every cascade.
Bonus Game (Free Spins)
The Bonus Game in Hex is triggered by landing three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the grid. This unlocks the Free Spins feature, during which players are awarded a set number of spins. What makes the Free Spins feature particularly exciting is the possibility of increasing multipliers during the round.
Each time a Cascading Reel occurs during the Free Spins round, a multiplier is applied to the total win. The multiplier increases with each successive cascade, adding an extra layer of excitement and potential for big wins. Free spins also have the potential to be retriggered, allowing players to extend the bonus round and continue accumulating multipliers and wins.
Multiplier Feature
In addition to the multipliers that apply during the Free Spins feature, Hex also has a random multiplier feature that can be triggered during the base game. This feature randomly adds a multiplier to the winning clusters, increasing the payout for any winning combination that it’s applied to. This adds another level of unpredictability and excitement to the game, as players can experience surprise multipliers that boost their winnings.
Hexagon Wilds
A special Hexagon Wild can appear randomly during the base game. When triggered, this feature adds Wild symbols to the grid, which can help complete clusters and form additional wins. The addition of Hexagon Wilds can be a game-changer, as they enhance the winning potential significantly, especially when they land in key positions on the grid.
RTP and Volatility
The RTP of 96.1% is fairly standard for a high-volatility slot, offering a good balance of risk and reward. Due to the high volatility, wins in Hex may not occur as frequently, but the potential for large payouts exists, especially during the Free Spins feature and when Cascading Reels are active.
The maximum win of 50,000x your bet is a significant draw for players who enjoy the thrill of chasing big rewards. Reaching this win will require hitting large clusters of high-paying symbols and triggering the most profitable bonus features, but it adds an enticing element for high-risk players.
Graphics and Sound Design
The graphics in Hex are one of the standout features of the game. The neon colors and abstract geometric shapes create a visually striking experience that stands out from the crowd. The hexagonal grid layout adds a sense of innovation and uniqueness, making the game visually fresh and exciting.
The animations are smooth, with symbols glowing and pulsing as they land and when the cascading reels are triggered. The overall effect is one of constant motion and energy, keeping players engaged throughout the game.
The soundtrack consists of ambient, electronic music that blends well with the futuristic and abstract theme. The music is calming yet energetic, creating a balanced atmosphere that complements the game’s visuals. During key moments such as cascading wins and triggering features, the sound intensifies, building excitement and adding to the thrill of the gameplay.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Innovative Grid Layout: The 6×6 hexagonal grid offers a fresh and engaging visual experience that sets Hex apart from traditional slots.
- Cluster Pays and Cascading Reels: The Cluster Pays mechanic and Cascading Reels feature allow for multiple wins from a single spin, keeping the gameplay exciting.
- Bonus Features: The Free Spins feature with multipliers, along with the Hexagon Wilds and **
random multiplier feature**, provides plenty of opportunities for big wins. 4. High Win Potential: With a maximum win of 50,000x your bet, Hex offers substantial rewards for high-risk players. 5. Unique Theme: The abstract, futuristic theme with vibrant visuals and neon colors creates a distinctive atmosphere that is both visually and sonically appealing.
Weaknesses:
- High Volatility: The high volatility might be frustrating for players who prefer more frequent wins or lower-risk gameplay.
- RTP Could Be Higher: The 96.1% RTP is slightly below the industry average for high-volatility slots, which may deter some players.
- Bonus Features May Be Difficult to Trigger: Triggering the Free Spins feature may take some time, as it requires landing three or more Scatter symbols.
Conclusion
Hex by Relax Gaming is a visually unique and highly engaging slot with a lot to offer, especially for players who enjoy high-volatility gameplay and innovative mechanics. The Cluster Pays, Cascading Reels, and exciting Bonus Features make for an exhilarating gaming experience with the potential for massive payouts. Whether you’re drawn to its vibrant neon theme, its unusual hexagonal grid layout, or the thrill of chasing big wins, Hex is a standout title in the online slot world.
With a maximum win potential of 50,000x, high volatility, and plenty of opportunities to trigger exciting features, Hex is perfect for players who enjoy a bit of risk and are looking for something different. If you’re a fan of modern slots with fresh mechanics and a visually striking design, Hex is definitely worth spinning.