San Quentin xWays Review
San Quentin xWays is a feature-filled 5-reel, 243 payline slot developed by Nolimit City. This burly crime-themed slot is set in the world-famous maximum security San Quentin Prison in California, USA where players will come across a number of tough-looking convicts whose appearance on the game reels could potentially see players net the game's incredible maximum win of 150,000x their stake. With features and mechanics such as split wilds, jumping wilds, enhancer cells and lockdown spins we don't envision players getting tired of this stacked slot any time soon!
Design
It's fair to suggest that design is where this intimidating slot really comes into its own. It's clear that Nolimit City has genuinely put a lot of care and attention into developing this slot.
The game is set in the world-famous San Quentin State Prison, one of the most dangerous prisons in the United States (located just North of San Francisco, California). If you think you recognise the name, it's because this prison is home to the largest Death Row in the States... If not that, then it's likely because this prison has featured heavily in documentaries and tv shows over the years.
The team behind the slot rightly dubbed it outrageous, and it's hard to disagree... When spinning the reels you're reminded not to drop that soap as hardened convicts such as Crazy Joe Labrador and Beefy Dick are lurking around the corridors of this high-security correctional facility.
Low paying symbols in San Quentin xWays include toilet paper, handcuffs, a shiv, a lighter and soap. High paying symbols are five hardened prisoners sporting scars and gang tattoos. Special symbols include a bonus symbol which is a prison guard tower, the xWays symbol, a razer split symbol, a wild symbol on a guard's badge and a special multiplying jumping wild appears as a golden guard's badge.
In terms of the soundtrack, San Quentin xWays features a strange but catchy soundtrack that's managed to successfully mix together hip hop, latin and heavy rock music... It sounds terrible on paper, but we were nodding our heads along after a couple of minutes and we think you'll get into it as well.
Gameplay
As you can see from the features section of this review, there really is a lot to take in when it comes to San Quentin xWays, there are a ton of different mechanics to get used to and the enhancer cells mechanic confused us at first.
With regards to navigating San Quentin xWays, you're in for a more straightforward experience. On the left-hand side of the game reels is a gold star button that reveals the 'Nolimit Winners' (a leaderboard with the highest scores), a pop-up menu featuring the game rules and paytable, a sound settings button and a stake selection button.
On the right-hand side of the game reels is a large play button and a smaller autospin button below that.
Win Potential
This high volatility slot has an RTP of 94.11% (if you're playing San Quentin xWays with feature buy then the RTP is 96.03%) and a maximum win potential of 150,000x stake which is unheard of. It's rare that we come across a game with a win potential as high as 50,000x let alone one three times higher! It might be worth taking the win potential with a pinch of salt though because the slot sites we have been able to play this game at have only have allowed us to play with a very small stake.
Our Verdict
San Quentin xWays is a very well made game that has more than enough to satisfy even the most avid online slot player, that being said we did have a bit of an issue with the features and mechanics thrown at us early on.
This game (like many Nolimit City slots) has a bit of a learning curve, so if you're not used to their innovative xFeatures (or games with a ton of features and mechanics in general) then perhaps take a few minutes to famialarise yourself with the game rules and paytable first. However, once you've gotten the hang of things we're quite confident you'll love this slot.
A keen sports bettor, Sam took his first foray into the world of online slots when Bonanza Megaways caught his eye, he’s never looked back since! He joined the team in 2019 and has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of online slots, he isn’t afraid to voice his honest opinion when reviewing new games, even if it does ruffle a few feathers.
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