With the follow up to the enormously successful Jack Hammer online video slot, Net Entertainment could have been forgiven for taking the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it attitude” in their release of Jack Hammer 2 “Fishy Business.” Indeed when looking at reviewing the game, this writer expected to be able to simply detail the variations from the original and call it good. No dice there. Whilst the principal hero and dame are the same, and the graphics still based on 1930’s comic book style, significant changes elsewhere are numerous and significant. This is Jack Hammer on steroids. For example whilst the format is a standard 5 reel, the available paylines have jumped from 25 to 99. That’s two nines! Whilst betting ranges remain unchanged (25 – 250 coins) the potential jackpot has increased with the pay lines to 990,000!
The Game
In Jack Hammer 2, our hero must save the damsel in distress, Pearl, from the clutches (or claws) of our baddy, Don Crabby. Symbols are changed from the original to match the setting and in order of win merit are: a microphone, a gun wielding guitar case, a barrel of fish, a boat with Pearl tied up in the back and a boat docked at a warehouse. Match 3 or more of these from left to right on the reels to achieve a winning combination. The higher paying symbols include Dan Crabby and his Hench men, Pearl and of course JH himself.
Free Spins, Wilds, Scatters and “The Sticky”
As with the previous incarnation, the big draw to JH2 are the special features and the proliferation of Free Spin, Wilds and “sticky” opportunities. The Wilds are clearly identified in text on the symbol. The “Wild” symbol will substitute all other symbols except Eel scatters.
The Free Spins feature in the game is the Electric Eel. The Eel also acts as the games Scatter. Capturing 3 of these will trigger the popular and rewarding Sticky feature. This feature holds the current Free Spin symbols in place, while the rest of the reels spin once again to allow more Free Spin symbols to potentially appear. The reward scale of free spins follow:
• Eight or more Free Spin scatters award 20 free spins.
• Seven Free Spin scatters award 16 free spins.
• Six Free Spin scatters award 13 free spins.
• Five Free Spin scatters award 10 free spins.
• All winning combinations are multiplied x2 during Jack Hammer 2 free spins feature.
Summary
It is often said the sequels never live up to originals. Whilst this may often be true of movies that lose something by repetition, the evolving nature of online slot play dictates that even the big performers like Net Entertainment continually have to raise their game with each new release. This is particularly so when they are messing with an already winning concept. With Jack Hammer 2, it is impossible not to be impressed with the scale of the uplift. Whilst the original may be easier to navigate, few regular players will not opt for the greater potential of the sequel.
- Software: Net Entertainment
- Type: Video Slot
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 99
- Betting Range: 0.25 to 250
- Jackpot: 990,000 Coins
- Bonus Round: Yes
- Free Spins: Yes
- Progressive: No
- Scatter Symbol: Yes- Electric Eel
- Wild Symbol: Yes- Wild
- 3D: No
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