Ronin StackWays

Ronin StackWays Slot Review

Slot Provider: Hacksaw Gaming

RTP: 96.35% | Variance: High | Maximum Win: 5,000x

Our Score: 8.0

Play at Barz Casino
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WHY YOU CAN TRUST THIS REVIEW: The information and opinions on this page are the result of an comprehensive process of information gathering and live game testing by the gambling experts who work at allslotsites.com. Find out more here.

About Ronin StackWays

Reviewed by:

Published Date: 10th August 2023

How We Review Slot Games

We test and rate all slot games across 5 criteria, assigning a score out of 10 for each and an overall score that is an average of the 5. To build an accurate assessment of each game we gather information from the supplier and play in real play or demo mode. Find out more.

Hacksaw Gaming return with the second of their StackWays slots, following Mayan StackWays from May 2023. This time we are mixing with the Ronins – wandering Samurai – amongst their rolling mountain homestead.

With pure and simple gameplay your mission will be only to land StackWays symbols that increase each reel to up to 10 rows high bringing up as many as 100,000x win ways. There is also the chance to trigger free spins rounds with 10 plays and enhanced odds of landing StackWays.  A 5,000x maximum win is good value for a low variance game and the typically lush production values from Hacksaw make this slot a compelling prospect.

Ronin StackWays Game Information

  • Release Date: August 2023
  • RTP: 96.35% | 94.33% | 92.24% | 88.23%
  • Variance: High
  • Maximum Win: 5,000x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Reels: 5
  • Rows: Up To 10
  • Paylines: 1,024 Up To 100,000
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Theme: Oriental
  • Features: StackWays, Free Spins

What We Liked

  • StackWays bring up to 100,000 win ways
  • Stack Spins with enhanced odds SWs
  • 5,000x max win good for low variance
  • Smooth gameplay and regular wins
  • Amazingly chilled atmosphere

What We Didn't like

  • Very light on features
  • Won't appeal to high risk fanatics

Ronin StackWays Review Scores

  • Theme and Design 9
  • RTP and Variance 8
  • Maximum Win 8
  • Symbols and Paytable 7
  • Features and Gameplay 8

What Our Reviewer Says ...

"Laid back vibes in a rare low variance outing from Hacksaw but StackWays can still deliver some nice hits when its in the mood."

Overall Score: 8.0

Theme & Design

Our Score 9

Ronin StackWays has maximum chilled Oriental vibes throughout which are very much in keeping with its low volatility. The setting is somewhere up amongst mountain peaks, with flowing waterfalls, lanterns and dimly lit temples all about. Is this where Ronin’s come to find peace and meditate? Who knows.  Maybe you can ask that simian guy, bathed in green light, sitting to the right of the reels, if you can tear him away from his pipe!

Whatever! This is very much a peace-loving slot by the reel of things, and the mood is completed with a nice Oriental soundtrack and birds tweeting in the background.

Ronin Stackways by Hacksaw Gaming
Ronin Stackways by Hacksaw Gaming – serene mountain backdrop

I loved the atmosphere in this game. Hacksaw are good at making distinctive slots with a different vibe to their rivals and they’ve pulled that trick off again here.

RTP and Variance

Our Score 8

What is RTP?

RTP (Return to Player) refers to the amount a game will pay out in cash prizes expressed as a percentage of all the money wagered on that game. For example, a 96% RTP means a game will pay out £96 for every £100 wagered. This is an average number and will vary from one session to the next.  Read more here.

What is Variance?

Variance refers to how far a game will deviate from its RTP over time. High variance games deviate a lot and produce uneven win distributions and unexpected windfalls. Low variance games provide a more stable and even distribution of wins. Read more here.

Ronin StackWays has four available RTP settings – 96.35%, 94.33%, 92.24% and 88.23%. Whilst the opimum setting of 96.35% is good, you may find your casino has opted to run the game at one of the lower settings. This is not uncommon in the UK as we have round in our research.

We verified the RTP of Ronin Stackways as five popular slot sites. This is what we found:

With the exception of BacanaPlay, each of the casinos we looked at was running Ronin StackWays at either the optimum setting or one down. There is little between the two but for the best value for money we recommend you play at MrQ (at 96.35% RTP). Incidentally, in our research MrQ has always performed well in this test.

Unusually for Hacksaw slots, Ronin StackWays is a low-medium variance slot. That makes it a smoother ride than Mayan StackWays with more regular wins, if smaller in size.

Maximum Win

Our Score 8

What Is Maximum Win?

Maximum win refers to the maximum amount a player can win from one spin. It is expressed as a multiple of the stake. For example, where the maximum win is 100,000x, from a £1 stake, the maximum win would be £100,000.  

Despite its lesser volatility, Ronin StackWays still has the potential to kick out wins of up to 5,000x, putting it on a par with recent slots like Vending Machine and Frank’s Farm. If you are looking for better maximum win potential it will be hard to find at this variance.

Of course, if you are brave enough to take them on, there are plenty of high variance slots from Hacksaw with higher payouts including Cursed Seas at 12,500x.

Symbols and Paytable

Our Score 7

This is a win ways slot, so you don’t need to land identical symbols across paylines to score wins. All you need to do is land identical symbols on adjacent reels starting from the left most reel.

With 5 reels and 4 rows this gives you 1,024 possible ways to win on every spin – that is calculated as 4x4x4x4x4.

Of course, the name of the game is StackWays and you can quickly increase the win ways on each spin with the StackWays symbols. In fact, with maximum stacks on every reel (10) your win ways can increase up to 100,000 – calculated as 10x10x10x10x10.

Ronin StackWays Paytable
Ronin StackWays Paytable

In the paytable, low value symbols are represented by the cards 10 to Ace. These are ALL valued at 0.1x up to 0.7x. The premiums are the Ronin Warriors, each an animal. They are the panda, bear, cunning fox, ferocious tiger and monkey. There values go from 0.5x for 3 pandas up to 4x for five monkeys.

Now, when you browse the paytable you will probably be thinking that the symbol values are pitiful. After all the highest paying premium is worth just 4x for five on a line. But remember, those low values are offset by the possibility of opening up many, many win ways on each spin triggering multiple payouts.

So, don’t be put off.

Features and Gameplay

Our Score 8

Ronin StackWays is all about the stacks!

It seems that every game provider has their version of the expanding reels these days. From Big Time Gaming’s Megaways, to ELK’s Nitro Reels, Nolimit City’s splitting cells and NetEnt’s Infini Reels.

In this instance, the number of symbols on a reel can be increased by landing StackWays symbols. Normal StackWays symbols display a number, 2, 3 or 4. Revealing StackWays symbols display a ? which reveals either 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. The number corresponds to the number of symbols that will appear in a stack when the StackWays symbol is activated.

That means, a StackWay can increase the reel size to 10 symbols high.

Ronin StackWays in action
StackWays activated during Ronin StackWays

The important part of this is as follows … the StackWays symbol is ONLY activated when it can create a winning combination. And when it is activated, each of the symbols in the stack are the same. The symbol chosen is the one that would create the longest winning combination based on the current reel display.

In simple terms, stacks are your friends. They are going to do everything they can to help you trigger the biggest win possible based on how the reels look when they activate.

So, hope they land in big numbers!

Stack Spins With More StackWays!

In the base game, as well as these symbols, look out for FS Scatters. Three or more of these triggers the Stack Spins round with 10 spins.

Ronin StackWays Free Spins Round
Unlocking The Free Spins Round in Ronin StackWays

Now, you have better odds of landing either of the two StackWays symbols, so more chance of scoring higher wins. And landing 2 or 3 more FS Scatters will also add 2 or 4 extra spins to extend the round.

Super Stack Spins With Only Revealing StackWays Symbols

It gets better if you land FOUR FS Scatters because once again you get 10 free spins, but this time with ONLY Revealing StackWays symbols on the reels.

Remember, Revealing StackWays are the ones that expand the reels to up to 10 high so they have better value to you.

And once again, landing 2 or 3 more FS Scatters gets you 2 or 4 extra free spins in the round, so look out for those.

The Final Verdict

Ronin’s StackWays is a peaceful entry point into the world of Hacksaw Gaming slots and one that makes sense for casual online slots players who won’t want the rough and tumble of the high variance games that this studio is known for. In vibes it is similar to Vending Machine from the same studio.

But whilst you can sit back, relax and spin Ronin StackWays very easily, from time to time it can also deliver a sugar hit when a big stack activates with a high value symbol or the super free spins round triggers with enhanced odds. And with a 5,000x top hit, occasionally this game might just deliver a surprise or two.

In short, another very playable game from one of our favourite developers.

Compare Ronin StackWays With Similar Slots Picked By Us

Here are more games like Ronin StackWays compared on configuration and features. Click through to read a review of each one.

Slot GameProviderThemeMin. StakeMax. RTPVariancePaylinesTop PayoutJackpot
Hacksaw Gaming£0.1096.25%Cluster Pays5,000xNo
Hacksaw Gaming£0.1096.22%1410,000xNo
Hacksaw GamingHistory£0.1096.31%High1010,000xNo
Hacksaw Gaming£0.1096.19%1010,000xNo
Hacksaw Gaming£0.1096.24%Cluster Pays10,000xNo
Hacksaw GamingAnimals£0.2096.28%Medium262,500xNo
Hacksaw Gaming£0.1096.29%1410,000xNo
Hacksaw GamingAncient Greece£0.1096.18%High2010,000xNo

Useful Tips When Playing Ronin StackWays

Remember, online slots are games of chance, there is NO strategy that can improve your odds of winning. However, reading our review and following these tips will help you get the most out of your time playing this slot game.

1. Best Wins Will Come With Super StackWays Spins

It’s no great surprise to find out that hitting a 5,000x win is most likely to come from the Super StackWays feature. Expanding your reels to 10 high give you many more win ways so keep your eye out for FOUR scatters.

2. Enjoy The Laid Back Atmosphere

This is a low variance slot with a very smooth and relaxing feel to it. To get the most fun from it, soak up the vibes – it won’t bring you the same helter skelter ride of other Hacksaw games but that is not the point. It’s one for a more laid back experience.

3. Play At A Recommended And Licensed Slot Site

Always choose from our list of licensed UK slots sites to enjoy Hacksaw Gaming slots in a safe and secure environment. The sites on this page are subject to UK regulation to make sure they are fair and follow Responsible Gambling guidelines.

4. Pick Your Stake Carefully

Choose a stake level that suits your budget. One of the nice things about Hacksaw slots is a relatively low 10p minimum stake. Coupled with its low variance that makes Ronin Stackways ideal for those with a smaller balance to risk.

Who Made Ronin StackWays?

  • Name: Hacksaw Gaming
  • Established: 2018
  • UK License: 54059
  • Total Games: 50 +
  • Known For: Dark, high variance output and bonus rounds driven by combining multipliers
  • Popular Slots: Hand of Anubis, Itero, Gladiator Legends, Break Bones
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