Slot Wars Clash: Duel at Dawn Takes on Santa’s Xmas Rush

The stage is set for an epic Slot Wars showdown, where grit meets glitter, and revolvers face reindeer. In one corner, we have Duel at Dawn from Hacksaw Gaming, a Wild West thriller packed with dramatic shootouts and heart-pounding multipliers. In the other, Santa’s Xmas Rush by Pragmatic Play brings festive chaos to the reels, loaded with tumbling wins and holiday cheer. It’s a battle of outlaws and snowflakes, where the stakes are sky-high, and only one can claim victory. Will the gunslingers conquer, or will Santa deliver the ultimate jackpot? Saddle up—or grab your sleigh—and let the games begin!

When it comes to winning potential and RTP, these two slots offer vastly different experiences. One rides on raw, gritty power, while the other wraps its rewards in festive charm.

Duel at Dawn doesn’t pull any punches with its jaw-dropping 15,000x max win multiplier and a 96:30% RTP. Pair that with a 5x5 grid and 19 paylines, and you’ve got a slot that’s all about high-stakes thrills. Every spin feels like a showdown at high noon, and the tense gameplay keeps players glued to their reels. Hacksaw Gaming didn’t just build a slot—it crafted a frontier showdown where massive payouts are just a trigger pull away.

On the other hand, Santa’s Xmas Rush brings the holiday cheer with a strong RTP of 96.51% and a 10,000x max multiplier. Its 6x6 grid and tumble mechanic create an avalanche of winning possibilities with every spin. Clusters form, prizes fall, and the reels refresh in a snowstorm of potential wins. While it might not match the sheer drama of a Wild West standoff, the cascading rewards bring their own kind of festive excitement.

While Santa’s charm is undeniable, the Wild West grit of Duel at Dawn takes this round. Its higher max multiplier and nail-biting tension give it the edge—because in the frontier, it’s all or nothing.

In terms of bonus features these slots couldn’t be more different. One thrives on Wild West chaos, while the other brings festive surprises that keep the holiday spirit alive.

Duel at Dawn pulls out all the stops with features that feel like an all-out showdown. The DuelReels feature is the centerpiece—landing a VS symbol triggers a duel between an Outlaw and a Sheriff, each carrying multipliers from 2x to a massive 200x. The victor transforms the entire reel into a powerful multiplier, and if multiple DuelReels align in one spin, their combined force can deliver explosive payouts. 

Then there’s the Outlaw Feature, where an Outlaw symbol randomly transforms 1 to 6 reel positions into Wilds, each with a multiplier of up to 200x. Free Spins take the intensity further: the Wild Wild West mode enhances DuelReels and Outlaw mechanics, while the Dusk ‘Til Dawn feature guarantees VS symbols for unparalleled drama. For players itching for action, Hacksaw Gaming offers several Bonus Buy options, letting you jump straight into the high-stakes chaos.

Santa’s Xmas Rush keeps things holly and jolly with its cheerful bonus mechanics. The standout Xmas Rush feature marks random grid positions with snowflakes, turning them into cash prizes when Santa lands. These prizes range from 0.5x to a stunning 2,500x your stake, and landing multiple Santa symbols multiplies the rewards further. 

The Free Spins round elevates the excitement, with 4 to 7 scatters unlocking up to 22 spins. During this mode, winning clusters leave behind snowflake marks that stay throughout the round, and every Santa that lands reveals prizes from those marks. Coupled with the tumble mechanic, the Free Spins round delivers a steady flow of festive rewards. For players seeking instant holiday magic, the Feature Buy option offers direct access to Free Spins, while the Ante Bet boosts scatter odds for those who prefer the thrill of earning them naturally.

Although Santa’s Xmas Rush offers a delightful mix of features, the high-octane action of Duel at Dawn takes the lead. Its combination of VS duels, Wild multipliers, and feature-packed Free Spins delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement that the festive slot just can’t match.

The visuals and audio in these slots are as distinct as their themes, each drawing players into their worlds in a way that feels immersive and engaging. From dusty saloons to snowy wonderlands, both games shine in their own unique style.

The Wild West comes alive with a moody frontier town backdrop, complete with dusty streets and the golden glow of sunrise. Symbols like sheriff badges, revolvers, and wagon wheels are crafted with meticulous detail, making every spin feel like part of a classic Western showdown. The audio further enhances the tension with a haunting score that builds suspense, especially during the high-stakes DuelReels feature. It’s a visual and auditory experience that perfectly captures the danger and drama of the Wild West.

Meanwhile, festive magic takes center stage with a snowy landscape filled with twinkling lights and colorful Christmas-themed symbols like gingerbread men and baubles. The cheerful soundtrack, with jingling bells and playful melodies, creates a joyful atmosphere that feels like stepping into Santa’s workshop. The cascading symbols and tumbling reels add dynamic movement to the grid, making every spin feel alive with holiday energy. It’s a feast for the senses, balancing nostalgia with an energetic twist.

The vibrant colors, dynamic tumbles, and joyful soundtrack of Santa’s Xmas Rush make it a standout in this round. Its festive design wins this round with ease, proving that sometimes, cheer beats grit.

What a showdown! Duel at Dawn may have started as just another gunslinger, but its high-stakes action and jaw-dropping features shot it straight to victory. That said, Santa’s Xmas Rush brought its own magic, wrapping the visuals round in a bow with its festive charm. In the end, the Wild West grit edged out the holiday cheer, proving that when it comes to Slot Wars, the early riser—armed with revolvers—gets the win.