Empress of the Shadows by Hacksaw Gaming takes players into a mysterious underworld ruled by a dark and powerful empress. With gothic visuals, a haunting atmosphere, and Hacksaw’s signature volatile features, this slot blends style and suspense with the chance to unlock massive rewards.
Empress of the Shadows is played on a 5×4 reel grid with 14 fixed paylines. Wins are formed by landing three or more matching symbols across consecutive reels, starting from the leftmost reel. Players can bet between €0.10 and €100 per spin, making the game accessible to all budgets. With a maximum win potential of 10,000× your stake, the shadows conceal plenty of treasure.
The default RTP is 96.26%, though some operators may use alternate settings. Volatility is very high, meaning payouts are less frequent but can be enormous when features align. This makes the game best suited for players who enjoy high-risk slots with high-reward potential.
The reels are set within a shadowy realm lit by glowing lanterns and moonlight. Symbols include the empress herself, dark relics, ravens, masks, and stylised card ranks. Hacksaw’s bold comic-book art style brings the gothic theme to life, with eerie animations and sinister flourishes when wilds or bonus features appear. The soundtrack combines brooding melodies with suspenseful undertones, enhancing the game’s haunting atmosphere.
The game includes two powerful free spins modes:
Shadow Spins: Triggered by 3 scatter symbols. This round boosts the chance of wild multipliers appearing, increasing win potential.
Super Shadow Spins: Triggered by 4 or more scatters. A more volatile version where stacked wilds and larger multipliers are frequent, unlocking the slot’s biggest wins.
Other key mechanics include:
Wild Multipliers: Wilds substitute for standard symbols and may land with multipliers that combine when part of a win.
Stacked Premiums: The Empress and other high-value symbols can appear stacked, delivering bigger hits.
Bonus Buy Options: Players can purchase direct access to Empress Spins, Super Empress Spins, or a random bonus feature at a stake multiple.
Pros:
Stylish gothic theme with bold comic visuals
Two free spins modes with escalating volatility
Wild multipliers boost big-win potential
High 10,000× max prize
Cons:
Very high volatility may deter casual players
Theme may feel too dark for some audiences
Bonus buy options can be costly
Empress of the Shadows is a dramatic and atmospheric slot that combines gothic visuals with Hacksaw Gaming’s high-volatility gameplay. With stacked wilds, powerful multipliers, and two free spins rounds, it offers both style and substance. While its dark aesthetic and risk-heavy design won’t suit everyone, players who enjoy immersive themes with huge payout potential will find Empress of the Shadows a captivating experience.