Hacksaw Gaming expanded its character-driven portfolio by launching Hot Ross, a digital slot that brings a familiar feline protagonist back to the center of the action. This release follows the early 2023 debut of RIP City, which first established the competitive dynamic between Ross the cat and Maxx the mouse. While a subsequent title, Rad Maxx, focused on the rodent character, this latest installment allows Ross to lead the gameplay through a gritty, urban setting.

The aesthetic of the game stays true to the established style of the series, utilizing a largely monochromatic palette that evokes a sense of city isolation. Darker tones of black, white, and grey dominate the background, which depicts a nondescript alleyway. Splashes of yellow, pink, and blue provide visual contrast, particularly within the symbol designs and the game logo. This visual approach creates what some might describe as a “quasi-Edward Hopper touch to it,” highlighting themes of urban loneliness while Ross stands beside the grid.

Mechanically, the game utilizes a 5×5 grid and features 19 fixed paylines. This represents a return to the original series structure after the expanded ways found in Rad Maxx. The math model is characterized by high volatility and offers a default return to player (RTP) of 96.32%, though operators may also utilize versions with RTPs of 94.23%, 92.23%, or 86.16%. Participants can place bets ranging from 0.10 to 50 in their local currency per round.

The paytable includes several tiers of symbols:

  • Low-value: Playing card icons from Ten to Ace.

  • High-value: Bananas, fish skeletons, spray cans, dice, and eight-balls.

  • Wilds: A bomb symbol that can award 25x the bet for a five-symbol line.

Mechanics of Expanding Multiplier Wilds

The core gameplay revolves around the expansion mechanics of the Ross and Hot Ross symbols. Both icons function as Wilds and possess the ability to cover multiple positions on the reels. A standard Ro$$ symbol expands downward to the bottom of its respective reel if the movement contributes to a winning combination. If it does not trigger an expansion, it remains a single Wild.

The Hot Ro$$ symbol serves as an upgraded version. Upon landing, it moves to the top of the reel and expands to cover every position. This action further influences the surrounding grid, as expanded Hot Ro$$Reels trigger Ro$$ symbols on adjacent reels directly to the left and right to move to the top of the reel and expand to cover the entire reel.

Multipliers significantly increase the payout potential during these sequences. If an expanding symbol passes over a standard Wild, it acquires a multiplier ranging from 2x to 200x. When multiple Wilds are involved, their values combine. According to the developer, these multipliers apply to “the entire expanded symbol and all wins the symbol is part of.”

Advanced Bonus Rounds and Purchase Options

Players can access three distinct bonus games by landing FS Scatter symbols. Each mode offers 10 initial free spins and allows for retriggers of 2 or 4 additional spins when landing 2 or 3 scatters, respectively.

The Cat Calls Bonus serves as the primary feature, offering an increased frequency of the expanding character symbols. The Nine Lives Bonus, triggered by four scatters, introduces a persistence mechanic. In this mode, when a Ro$$ or Hot Ro$$ symbol lands on a reel, that reel is activated. Once active, the reel ensures at least one of these symbols lands on every remaining spin. The highest tier, Bigg Boss Ross, requires five scatters and guarantees two Hot Ro$$ symbols and one Wild on every spin.

For those seeking immediate access to these features, the game includes several buy options:

  • Bonushunt FeatureSpins (3x stake): Increases bonus trigger probability fivefold.

  • Feisty FeatureSpins (60x stake): Guarantees three Ro$$ symbols.

  • Epic Drop FeatureSpins (1,000x stake): Guarantees five Ro$$ and three Wild symbols.

  • Direct Bonus Entry: Costs range from 100x for Cat Calls to 1,000x for Bigg Boss Ross.

This title joins a growing library of content supported by the Hacksaw Gaming OpenRGS platform, which recently welcomed Cyprus-based Foxhound Games as its ninth partner studio.