Hand of Anubis

Hand of Anubis - 391-Spin Singapore Review Where Hacksaw Gaming Cluster Mechanics Hit 923x

We spent 391 tracked spins on Hand of Anubis by Hacksaw Gaming, and this Egyptian-themed cluster-pay slot with its expanding grid and multiplier collection mechanic delivered the kind of intense, high-volatility experience that Hacksaw has become known for. The game starts on a compact 5x5 grid but can expand to 8x8 during bonus rounds, and persistent multipliers that accumulate across free spins created one memorable round where our collected multiplier reached 18x and the total feature payout hit 923x our bet. Here is our full assessment for Singapore players.

Hacksaw Gaming - The High Volatility Specialists

Hacksaw Gaming is a relatively young Swedish developer founded in 2018 that has rapidly established itself as a specialist in high and very high volatility slots. Their portfolio includes titles like Wanted Dead or a Wild, Chaos Crew, and the Duel series, all characterised by aggressive volatility profiles and innovative mechanics. They have built a dedicated following among players who seek maximum win potential and are willing to accept the punishing base game losses that come with it.

The studio holds licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and several other jurisdictions. Despite their youth, their game quality and mathematical design have earned industry recognition. In our testing of multiple Hacksaw titles, their published RTP figures have been accurate and their feature mechanics have performed as described.

Technical Specifications

Hand of Anubis operates on a variable grid that starts at 5x5 (25 positions) and can expand to 8x8 (64 positions) during the bonus feature. Wins are formed through cluster-pay mechanics - 5 or more matching symbols connected horizontally or vertically. The published RTP is 96.25%, which is fair for the level of volatility and feature complexity. Volatility is very high (5 out of 5), and our testing confirmed extreme session variance. Bet range spans SGD 0.10 to SGD 100.00 per spin.

The expanding grid mechanic is significant because it fundamentally changes the cluster formation probability during features. A 5x5 grid with 25 positions offers far fewer clustering opportunities than an 8x8 grid with 64 positions, so the feature rounds operate on fundamentally different mathematics than the base game.

Egyptian Theme - Hacksaw Style

Hacksaw Gaming brings their distinctive art style to the Egyptian theme, and it looks different from every other Egyptian slot on the market. The visual design uses a modern, stylised approach with bold geometric patterns, metallic textures, and a colour palette dominated by deep golds, obsidian blacks, and royal blues. Anubis himself is rendered as an imposing, almost menacing figure rather than the cartoonish version seen in many competitors.

Symbols include various Egyptian deities and artifacts rendered in Hacksaw angular, high-contrast style. Premium symbols feature Anubis, Ra, Osiris, and Isis, while lower symbols use hieroglyphic-inspired designs. The visual quality is outstanding - this is one of the best-looking Egyptian slots available, with a distinctive artistic identity that sets it apart from the dozens of Book of Dead derivatives.

Audio design uses deep, ominous percussion with Middle Eastern melodic elements and dramatic orchestral stings during wins and feature activations. The soundtrack creates genuine atmospheric tension, particularly during the expanding grid sequences. Production quality throughout is top-tier.

Base Game Cluster Mechanics

On the base 5x5 grid, clusters of 5 or more matching symbols create wins. Winning symbols are removed and replaced via cascading tumbles from above. Each consecutive cascade win within a single spin can increase a multiplier that applies to subsequent wins in the chain. Base game cascades are where the majority of non-feature returns originate.

Base game hit frequency was approximately 28% in our testing, with cascade extensions on roughly 30% of winning spins. The 5x5 grid constrains cluster sizes in the base game, so most wins were modest 5-8 symbol clusters paying 1-5x bet. Larger clusters of 12+ were rare in base game play, occurring roughly once every 40-50 spins.

Multiplier symbols can randomly appear on the grid. When these participate in winning clusters, their multiplier value is collected and added to a persistent counter. In the base game, this counter resets each spin. During free spins, it persists throughout the entire feature. Multiplier values we observed ranged from 2x to 10x on individual symbols.

Free Spins - Grid Expansion and Multiplier Collection

Three or more scatter symbols trigger free spins with an initial award of 10 free spins. We triggered the feature 4 times across 391 spins - once per 98 spins, consistent with very high volatility expectations.

During free spins, the grid can expand. Each cascading win sequence extends the grid by one row and/or column, up to the maximum 8x8 size. The grid expansion is not guaranteed - it requires sufficient cascade activity. In our four triggers, the grid reached: 6x6 (once), 7x7 (twice), and 8x8 (once - the 923x round). Reaching 8x8 requires strong cascade frequency in the early free spins to build the grid before the spin count expires.

The persistent multiplier collection is the signature mechanic. Every multiplier symbol that participates in a winning cluster during free spins adds its value to a total that applies to all subsequent wins for the remainder of the feature. In our 923x round, the collected multiplier reached 18x by the final spins. At that level, even small cluster wins produced substantial payouts - a 7-symbol cluster at 18x multiplier was worth more than a 20-symbol cluster at 1x.

Our four free spins rounds: 23x bet (grid reached 6x6, multiplier peaked at 3x), 178x bet (grid reached 7x7, multiplier peaked at 9x), 923x bet (grid reached 8x8, multiplier peaked at 18x), and 87x bet (grid reached 7x7, multiplier peaked at 7x). The correlation between grid expansion and multiplier collection with final payout is direct - the 923x round succeeded because it maximised both grid size and accumulated multiplier.

The 923x Round in Detail

Free spins started with a 5x5 grid and 10 spins. Spin 1 produced a 3-stage cascade chain, immediately expanding the grid to 6x5 and collecting a 3x multiplier from a multiplier symbol. Spins 2-4 continued cascade activity, pushing the grid to 7x7 by spin 4 with an accumulated 8x multiplier. The grid reached 8x8 on spin 6. The final four spins, operating on a 64-position grid with an 18x accumulated multiplier, produced massive cluster wins on nearly every spin. One single cascade at 18x produced 267x bet alone - a 15-symbol cluster of premium Anubis symbols at that multiplier level.

Our 391-Spin Test Data

Three sessions with 600-unit starting bankrolls:

Session 1 (134 spins): One feature trigger (23x bet). Extended cold streak from spins 45-110. Net: -41% of starting bankroll.

Session 2 (128 spins): Two feature triggers (178x and 923x bet). The back-to-back features at spins 74 and 118 transformed the session. Net: +327% of starting bankroll.

Session 3 (129 spins): One feature trigger (87x bet). Moderate base game performance. Net: -15% of starting bankroll.

Classic very-high-volatility distribution: one session generated all the profit, while two others were net negative. Without the 923x round, the overall test would have been mildly negative. Singapore players should expect this pattern with very high volatility games.

Hacksaw vs Traditional Egyptian Slots

Hand of Anubis represents a fundamentally different approach to the Egyptian theme compared to traditional games like Book of Dead or Eye of Horus. The cluster-pay mechanic on an expanding grid creates a gameplay experience that bears almost no resemblance to classic 5-reel Egyptian slots. If you enjoy cluster mechanics with progressive features, Hand of Anubis is the best Egyptian-themed option in the category. If you prefer traditional payline mechanics with scatter-expanding book symbols, the classics remain better suited.

Against Hacksaw own portfolio, Hand of Anubis compares favourably to their other cluster-pay titles. The expanding grid mechanic adds a dimension that static-grid cluster games lack, and the persistent multiplier collection creates a feature progression that builds tension more effectively than random multiplier assignment.

Mobile Testing

Tested on iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 on Singapore 5G and 4G. Load time was 3 seconds on 4G, under 2 on 5G. The variable grid presents unique mobile considerations - at 5x5 base size, symbols are comfortably large, but when the grid expands to 8x8 during features, symbols become smaller and cluster identification requires closer attention. We recommend landscape orientation during free spins for optimal visibility.

Animation quality on mobile was excellent - Hacksaw visual design translated well to smaller screens, with the angular art style actually appearing sharper on high-density mobile displays than on desktop monitors. Touch controls were responsive throughout.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: The expanding grid mechanic (5x5 to 8x8) creates a dynamic, evolving feature experience. Persistent multiplier collection builds genuine tension and creates massive late-feature potential. Hacksaw visual design is among the best in the industry for Egyptian themes. The 96.25% RTP is fair for very high volatility. Bet range up to SGD 100 accommodates serious players. Our 923x result demonstrates extraordinary potential.

Weaknesses: Very high volatility means most sessions will be losing sessions. The base game on the 5x5 grid can feel constrained and slow. Grid expansion during features is not guaranteed and depends on early cascade frequency. Poor early cascade activity results in underwhelming features on small grids. No bonus buy option. The aggressive volatility profile is unsuitable for players seeking consistent returns.

Responsible Gaming

Very high volatility cluster-pay games with expanding mechanics create intense psychological engagement. The visual expansion of the grid combined with climbing multiplier values can trigger strong emotional responses that override rational bankroll management. Set absolute loss limits before every session. Singapore gambling is regulated under the Remote Gambling Act 2014 by the GRA. Players must be 21 or older. The NCPG helpline at 1800-6-668-668 provides confidential support for problem gambling.

Final Verdict

Hand of Anubis is a beautifully crafted, mechanically sophisticated slot that brings genuine innovation to the Egyptian theme. The expanding grid and persistent multiplier mechanics create a feature experience unlike any other Egyptian slot, and Hacksaw Gaming visual design is outstanding. Our 923x payout demonstrates the extraordinary potential when grid expansion and multiplier collection align. For Singapore players who enjoy very high volatility cluster mechanics and want the best-looking Egyptian slot available, Hand of Anubis is our top recommendation in the category.