Hacksaw Gaming's Buried by Night: A Horizontal Twist on a Classic Mechanic

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-01

If you've been around online slots long enough, you know Hacksaw Gaming loves to tinker. They don't just slap a new coat of paint on an old game and call it a day. No, they take their beloved mechanics and flip them on their head—sometimes literally. Their latest release, Buried by Night, does exactly that with the VS mechanic, and the result is a fresh take on a familiar favorite. ### From DuelReels to DuelRows: What's Changed? Remember the VS mechanic from games like Gladiator Legends and Undead Fortune? It was all about vertical expansion—wild multipliers that grew up and down the reels. Well, Buried by Night rotates that concept 90 degrees. Now, when a VS symbol lands on reels 2, 3, or 4, it expands horizontally into a DuelRows symbol. Then a duel happens, and the winner's multiplier (ranging from x2 to x100) applies to the entire symbol. It's a small change that makes a big difference in how wins stack up across the grid. ### Why This Matters for Players For one, it keeps things interesting. If you're a fan of Hacksaw's VS titles, you'll recognize the DNA, but the horizontal twist gives Buried by Night its own identity. The game also packs a hefty 15,000x max win, which is achievable in any mode. That puts it squarely in high-volatility territory, so if you're chasing big payouts, this one's for you. ### A Western Theme with a Horror Twist The title might say "Buried by Night," but don't let that fool you—this is still a Western at heart. Hacksaw first went west with Wanted Dead or a Wild back in 2021, and they've returned to the theme several times since. Buried by Night sits comfortably alongside games like Bullets and Bounty and Duel at Dawn. But the horror element? That's just a dash of spice to keep things fresh. ### Bonus Features and Feature Buys Like many Hacksaw releases, Buried by Night offers plenty of ways to trigger bonuses. You can buy the two main bonus rounds outright, or you can activate BonusHunt FeatureSpins for 2x the bet, which triples your chances of triggering a bonus. It's all about giving players options, whether you're a casual spinner or a high roller. ### The Bigger Picture: Evolution, Not Revolution What does this mean for the future? Hacksaw seems committed to iterating on their proven mechanics rather than constantly reinventing the wheel. By reworking the VS engine and pairing it with a familiar theme, they're building out distinct families of games. It's a smart strategy that keeps their catalog cohesive while still offering variety. So, if you're a fan of Hacksaw's previous work, Buried by Night is definitely worth a spin. It's a perfect example of how to evolve a mechanic without alienating your core audience. And who knows? Maybe we'll see more horizontal expansions in future releases. > "Hacksaw continues to build out defined mechanical and thematic families instead of chasing one-off concepts." That quote from the original article sums it up nicely. It's not about reinventing the wheel; it's about making it roll smoother. And in the crowded world of online slots, that kind of thoughtful iteration can go a long way.