Hacksaw's New Slot Flips a Classic Mechanic Sideways

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-01

Hacksaw Gaming has done it again. The studio just dropped Buried by Night, a Western-themed slot that takes its beloved VS mechanic and gives it a fresh twist. Instead of the usual vertical expansion, the wild multipliers now stretch horizontally. It's a small change that makes a big difference in how wins pile up. ### What's the Big Deal with DuelRows? If you've played Hacksaw slots before, you know the VS mechanic. It's shown up in games like Gladiator Legends and Undead Fortune. Normally, when a VS symbol lands on reels 2, 3, or 4, it expands vertically. But in Buried by Night, it expands horizontally into what's called a DuelRows symbol. Then a duel happens, and the winner slaps a multiplier of x2 to x100 on the whole symbol. Why does horizontal matter? It changes how wins build across the grid. Think of it like a poker hand—sometimes a straight beats a flush, depending on the layout. Here, the horizontal spread can connect symbols in ways the vertical version can't. For regular players, it's a familiar mechanic with a new feel. ### The Western Theme and Where It Fits Hacksaw first went Wild West back in 2021 with Wanted Dead or a Wild. Since then, they've returned to the theme a few times, and Buried by Night joins the posse alongside Bullets and Bounty and Duel at Dawn. It's not just a reskin—it's a deliberate extension of their product line. > "Reworking rather than retiring the VS engine points to a deliberate product-line strategy." — that's the kind of move that keeps a studio's catalog cohesive while still offering something new. ### Max Win and Volatility The game boasts a 15,000x max win, achievable in any mode. That's huge. It puts Buried by Night squarely in the high-volatility bracket that Hacksaw's VS titles are known for. So if you're chasing big wins, this one's for you. But remember, high volatility means bigger swings—your bankroll should be ready. ### Feature Buys and Bonus Options Hacksaw loves feature buys, and Buried by Night is no exception. You can activate BonusHunt FeatureSpins for 2x your bet, which makes triggering a bonus three times more likely. Or you can buy the two main bonus rounds outright. It's all about giving players options to chase the action their way. ### Why This Matters for the Future This release isn't just about one slot. It's a sign that Hacksaw is committed to iterating on its flagship mechanics. By reshaping the VS engine and anchoring it to a proven theme, they're building out defined mechanical and thematic families. That means we can expect more twists on the VS concept down the road. So, whether you're a fan of Western slots or just love innovative mechanics, Buried by Night is worth a spin. Just remember to play responsibly—those multipliers can be as wild as the frontier.