Fear the Dark Slot: Comprehensive Data Analysis
Core Game Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Hacksaw Gaming |
| Release Date | April 2023 |
| Theme | Horror, Cartoon graveyard, Vintage animation style |
| Layout | 6×6 cluster pays |
| Paylines | Cluster pays (no fixed paylines) |
| Bet Range | 0.10 to 100 (currency varies) |
| Core Mechanics | Cluster pays, Cascading symbols, Full Moon symbol multipliers, Alone in the Dark free spins, Darkness Spins shrinking grid, Bonus Buy options |
| Platform | HTML5 mobile‑optimized |
Mathematical & Payout Model
Return to Player (RTP)
96.25% (operator may offer 94.33%, 92.36%, 88.25%)
Volatility
Medium
Hit Frequency
42.0%
Max Win Potential
5000x
Symbols & Paytable Hierarchy
| Tier | Symbol(s) | Function & Value |
|---|---|---|
| Low Tier | black and white stairwell, gravestone, cup, cube, cross | Provides small, frequent wins to maintain gameplay. |
| High Tier | ghost, ghoul, pig, clown, zombie | Highest paying symbols. Top hits available with full combinations. |
| Scatter | Moon Man (Full Moon), Candle (FS scatter) | Triggers free spins / bonus round when enough appear. |
Fear the Dark Bonus Features Mechanics
| Feature | Trigger | Initial Award | Core Mechanic | Enhancement/Retrigger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Moon multipliers | Moon Man symbol | Applies multipliers (2x‑100x) to selected high‑pay symbols; removed one by one with cascades | ||
| Alone in the Dark free spins | 3 or 4 candle scatters | 10 or 15 free spins | Free spins with higher chance of Moon Man; retriggers grant +4 spins | |
| Darkness Spins | After free spins expire | Grid shrinks to 4×4 then 2×2; Moon Man or scatter resets grid and spins | ||
| Bonus Buy | Player purchase | Buy options (3x, 40x, 100x, 150x bet) to access bonus modes directly |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| What is the maximum win in Fear the Dark? | The maximum win is 5000x your stake. |
| What RTP does Fear the Dark offer? | The top RTP is 96.25%, though operators may offer lower versions such as 94.33%, 92.36%, or 88.25%. |
| How do I trigger free spins? | Landing 3 candle scatters awards 10 free spins; 4 scatters award 15 free spins. |
| What does the Full Moon feature do? | The Full Moon feature applies multipliers between 2x and 100x to selected high‑pay symbols, which are removed one by one with cascades. |
| What are Darkness Spins? | After free spins end, the grid shrinks to 4×4 then 2×2; landing a Moon Man or scatter resets the grid and continues spins. |
Fear the Dark Performance Summary: Strengths vs. Weaknesses
Strengths
- Engaging cascading cluster mechanic
- High max win potential of 5000x
- Unique shrinking grid bonus design
- Bonus Buy offers flexibility
- Mobile‑optimized design
Weaknesses
- RTP varies by operator
- Free spins can be hard to trigger without Bonus Buy
Overview
Fear the Dark is a medium‑volatility cluster‑pays slot on a 6×6 grid. It features cascading wins, symbol multipliers via Full Moon, a free spins bonus called Alone in the Dark, a Darkness Spins shrinking grid mechanic, and a Bonus Buy option. The RTP varies by operator, with a top setting of 96.25%. The maximum win is capped at 5000x the bet.
Rachel Pine is our slots expert who has worked in the online gambling industry for 10+ years. Over the course of her career, Rachel has reviewed more than 30,000 slots.
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