Hotline 2

Hotline 2 Review

Hotline 2 is a NetEnt slot game with an RTP of 96.05% and a solid maximum payout of 6,666-times your bet. This online slot is the sequel to the popular Hotline and continues the 1980’s Miami theme. In Hotline 2, players will travel a familiar, customized path with character symbols, on-brand visuals, and a catchy soundtrack. The improvements are obvious: With multiple bonus features, including free spins and expanding wilds, Hotline 2 is a well-rounded slot with good value.

Read through our team of experts review of Hotline 2 below for more details!

How we tested Hotline 2

Our team of experts at AmericanCasinoGuide.com weighs every aspect of a game when we do our reviews. Here’s a list of all the steps we take into consideration: 

1. We look at RTP and volatility: The Return To Player and Volatility should always be the first thing a player looks at in a game. The RTP tells you how often you can expect to win while spinning the reels. 
2. We actually play the games: Unlike many reviews you find online, we take the time to play the games to understand how they work. We’ll tell you our honest opinion on if we enjoyed the game or not.
3. We find out minimum and maximum wagers: A good game should be accessible to all types of players, including those that like to wager small bets to high rollers. We provide this information in all of our reviews.
4. We focus on the theme: All good games should have an appealing theme. While most themes are apparent, we like to detail how well the game truly envelops its overall concept.
5. We listen to the audio and pay attention to graphics: Players want games with HD graphics and engaging audio to enjoy while playing. We have all that information and more below.
6. We calculate the jackpot and maximum win: We play games for fun, but we also play to win. We’ll tell you the full potential win of a game and explain what that means.
7. We explain the symbols and paytables: To play well, you need to understand the game’s rules. While the “how-to” of online slots is simple, it’s essential to know what the symbols mean on the reels to understand your spin’s total value.

Play Hotline 2 with the best bonus

Make sure to read our comprehensive online casino reviews to find the best welcome bonus for you. There are many ways to get the best value from joining an online casino, from free spins to first deposit matches and low wagering requirements.

Hotline 2 is available at multiple USA online casinos, including BetMGM and Golden Nugget, which offers one of the most competitive welcome bonuses in the state. New players who register for an account can receive a $20 no deposit bonus at BetMGM and Golden Nugget offers new players 100% of an initial match bonus of $1,000. Players must deposit a minimum of $30 to qualify for the offer.

Hotline 2 Symbols & Payouts

Hotline 2 is NetEnt’s follow-up to the popular Hotline slot, which takes players back to the 1980’s Miami with a look and feel that reminds many of Miami Vice. While the basis of the game remains the same, there are certainly some exciting new features in the sequel. 

If you’re familiar with Hotline, you won’t have a big issue adapting to Hotline 2. Still, the game looks and plays a bit differently–especially with the new features–and by reading our review, you should have a good grasp of how the game works. Hotline 2 includes multiple bonus rounds and free spins, which are welcome additions.

Here, we will take a look at the symbols in the game, their payouts, and how they’re deployed in the game:

The symbols

In Hotline 2, the main characters from the original Hotline return as the game’s two premium symbols: Kitty Weiss and Detective Quinn. Weiss is the game’s highest-paying symbol: By landing three of her, players will earn a 2x multiplier; by landing four, a 5x multiplier; and with a full reel, players will get an 8x multiplier.

Kitty Weiss and Detective Quinn are followed by a number of other secondary symbols, including Detective Riviera, the chopper operator, a pink diamond, a heart-shaped gem, a 4-sided jewel, a purple jewel, a blue jewel, and a green jewel. Other than Detective Riviera, the chopper operator, and the pink diamond, none of the secondary symbols in Hotline 2 have more than a 2.5x multiplier.

To win in Hotline 2, players must get at least three matching symbols on the reels. In the base game, players can get the chance to trigger the “Expanding Wild” feature, which can result in three wild symbols on the middle reel. This is great for players because it allows them the chance to receive a big win without entering a bonus game.

Here are the multipliers for the symbols in Hotline 2: 

• Kitty Weiss – Pays 8x for 5 on a payline
• Detective Quinn – Pays 5x for 5 on a payline
• Detective Riviera – Pays 4x for 5 on a payline
• Chopper operator – Pays 3x for 5 on a payline
• Pink diamond – Pays 2.5x for 5 on a payline
• Heart-shaped gem – Pays 1.50x for 5 on a payline
• 4-sided jewel – Pays 1.20x for 5 on a payline
• Purple jewel – Pays 1x for 5 on a payline
• Blue jewel – Pays 0.60x for 5 on a payline
• Green jewel – Pays 0.40x for 5 on a payline

Paytable

Min/max bet

The minimum bet for Hotline 2 is $0.10. The maximum bet is $150.

RTP

With an RTP between 96.05% and 94.12%, Hotline 2 is considered a medium volatility slot. Generally speaking, most slot machines have an RTP of 90-95%. Keep in mind that the RTP of a slot machine is the average taken from thousands of spins and not a guarantee to win. 

Volatility & hit frequency

While this slot’s volatility is considered a medium volatility slot, in our experience, it can stray closer to medium-high because of the vast features offered. Either way, Hotline 2’s volatility is a great compliment to its gameplay: With a strong storyline and multiple bonus features, this is a game that can keep you entertained for a while.

The hit frequency in Hotline 2 is between 20.49% and 17.40%. Hit frequency is different from RTP, counting the percentage of times an online slot will stop on a winning outcome.

Jackpot and/or maximum win

The top win for Hotline 2 is 6,666 coins. Like many slots, the best way for players to put themselves in a position for the maximum win is by earning free spins, especially with the expanding wilds feature.

Game Features

Hotline Bonus Feature

In the Hotline Bonus Feature, which serves as the game’s main bonus round, players can receive an expanding wild symbol, but there’s a catch: They must place an increased bet before the spin. 

During the Hotline 2 base game, the third reel is considered a Hotline. But with a doubled-up bet, both the third and fourth reels become Hotlines. A tripled-up bet makes the second through fourth reels Hotlines.

The Hotline Bonus feature is a staple of the gameplay and adds excitement and chances for bigger wins. We had the most success by doubling up, which creates two Hotline reels, but for those players with bigger appetites for winning, tripling up is a possibility!

Expanding Wilds Feature

As mentioned earlier, the Hotline feature looms large with expanding wilds. If you land a wild symbol on any of the three middle reels, it takes the place of another symbol as usual. But when a wildlands on a Hotline, it can expand, making your entire reel wild. 

With this feature, players could potentially end up with multiple wild reels per spin. The expanding wilds feature ensures the possibility of big wins!

Hotline 2 Free Spins

If the multiple features don’t put Hotline 2 over the entertainment edge, then certainly their Free Spins round will. As is custom with many NetEnt slots, Free Spins are to be had in this slot game–even more so when they are coupled with expanding reels.

To receive Free Spins on Hotline 2, players must land three neon flamingo scatter symbols on reels 2, 3, or 4. 

If you land a wild on those respective reels, the reel can expand to hold six symbols. This is how players earn the potential to win 1,944 different ways–when all three reels (2, 3, and 4) have expanded to their maximum height. 

There are other ways to receive Free Spins in Hotline 2: When a Hotline reaches its maximum height, players earn two free spins; when a non-Hotline reel reaches its full height, players earn one free spin.

Overall, accounting for the maximum Hotline reel heights, players can receive up to 13 Free Spins, which adds excitement and potentially thousands of winning possibilities.

Buy Feature

But wait, there’s another feature that doesn’t get talked about much but can pay big dividends in earning that big Hotline 2 win. If you don’t have the time to wait around for three neon flamingo scatter symbols to enter a bonus round, Hotline 2 will allow you to buy a free spin at 60x the stake. By choosing the “Buy” feature, players will take a regular spin at a much higher price and be guaranteed to receive free spins.

Hotline 2 Graphics & Sound 

Picking up where they left off with the original Hotline, NetEnt provides an unrivaled audio-visual experience with Hotline 2. Continuing with the strong 1980’s Miami vibe, players will spin at sunset with pastel colors–almost like you’re playing right on Miami Beach. Compared to other online slot games, which deploy basic symbols, Hotline 2 is customized with characters as the premium symbols.

But perhaps better than the visual experience–which is outstanding for staying on-brand but not incredibly advanced–is the audio experience. In this game, NetEnt left no stone unturned in developing an authentic product: If it seems like you’re playing right on Miami Beach, then it sounds it, with a nostalgic soundtrack. 

Here, the game goes above and beyond with developing a theme. There is a strong saxophone presence, and highly upbeat tunes keep players engaged. It’s not just that the soundtrack for Hotline 2 is suitable for an online slot game–it’s good, period. 

Solutions if you have some issues with a game

If the game is interrupted during play, players can replay the game round after restarting the game. If the player chooses to skip the replay, their win will be added to their balance immediately.

In any situation where the replay-functionality is not sufficient, you can contact the gaming website’s support team.

In the event of a gaming hardware/software malfunction, all affected game bets and payouts are rendered void, and all affected bets are refunded.

Verdict

If you’re a fan of the original Hotline, then you’re in for a treat with Hotline 2. And if you’ve never tried the original, then you must give the new version a spin. NetEnt outdid themselves with this online slot game. If you combine the custom experience with great character symbols, an intriguing storyline, multiple bonus features, and a strong soundtrack, Hotline 2 is one of the better games we’ve reviewed. The most significant difference between the two versions is the Free Spins feature, which helps players unlock potential wins. Suppose you’re looking for maximum excitement, up the ante with their Buy Feature, which allows you to play at 60x while receiving free spins. While this game isn’t incredibly different from the original, its upgrades are certainly worth the ride–especially if you’re talking expanding wilds. From what we’ve seen, the expanding wilds can offer the best chance at a big jackpot. Overall, Hotline 2 is a significant improvement from its predecessor. It provides a solid RTP at medium volatility with entertainment value to burn!

Other slots to play if you like Hotline 2 slot

If you’re a fan of Hotline 2, be sure to check out the online slots featured on our list of The Top Bonus Buy Slots in America!