Keep ’em Cool

This time, we’re off to a tropical paradise with an adventurous little piglet, ready to dive into clear blue seas. After the intense thrills of Bloodthirst, players can relax and enjoy Keep ’em Cool, a game that combines cluster-pays mechanics with multipliers and frozen symbols for a refreshing twist.

Visually, Keep ’em Cool is set against a beautiful backdrop of white sandy beaches that meet crystal-clear waters, with a bright, cloudy sky overhead. Vibrant green palm trees flank the wooden-framed game grid, while the star of the show—a piglet equipped with arm bands, snorkel, and pool ring—waits to plunge into the fun. Frozen ice cubes appear on the reels, adding an interesting contrast to this warm setting, and a tropical tune brings the vibe together perfectly, making this game feel like a mini beach getaway.

Keep ’em Cool Base Features

Keep ’em Cool is played on a 5×5 grid where wins are created by forming clusters of 5 or more matching symbols, connected horizontally or vertically. Payouts depend on cluster size, ranging from 5 symbols up to 21+, and start with non-premium fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges. Clusters of 5 non-premiums pay 0.10x the bet, with 21+ clusters bringing in values between 400x and 600x the bet. Mid-range fruits like cherries, plums, and dragon fruits pay between 0.30x and 0.70x for clusters of 5, increasing to 800x-2,000x for clusters of 21+. The highest-paying symbols are strawberries, awarding wins from 1x up to 5,000x for clusters of 5 to 21+.

One of the unique aspects in Keep ’em Cool is the Frozen Symbols mechanic. Each symbol can appear in one of three states: fully frozen, half frozen, or unfrozen. When a winning cluster is formed, any unfrozen symbols in the cluster are removed from the grid, while frozen or half-frozen symbols remain. After all winnings are paid, any unfrozen symbols on the grid are removed, even if they weren’t part of a winning cluster.

The remaining frozen and half-frozen symbols then shift states: fully frozen symbols become half frozen, and half-frozen symbols become unfrozen. New symbols then fall onto the grid to replace any that were removed, potentially creating additional winning clusters. This continues until no new wins are created.

Two special symbols add extra excitement: the Cocktail Glass and the Blender.

When a winning cluster forms with a Cocktail Glass on the grid, all matching symbols in the cluster are reset to a fully frozen state. The Cocktail Glass symbol displays a count, indicating the number of times it can refreeze symbols before it disappears. This allows clusters to repeat wins multiple times, as frozen or half-frozen symbols aren’t removed. A Cocktail Glass can refreeze symbols up to five times.

The Blender symbol, on the other hand, absorbs all instances of a randomly chosen symbol type from the grid, replacing them with new symbols. The Blender begins with a count of 2, adding +1 for each symbol it absorbs. When it’s done absorbing all chosen symbols, the Blender awards a prize based on the number absorbed.

Keep ’em Cool Bonus

Landing three Picnic Basket Scatter symbols in a single spin triggers the Sunset Picnic Bonus feature, granting between 9 and 15 spins. Each Picnic Basket Scatter reveals a number (3, 4, or 5), and the total number of spins awarded equals the sum of these numbers.

During the bonus round, each additional Picnic Basket Scatter awards +2 to +5 extra spins. Otherwise, gameplay remains the same as in the base game, though there’s an increased chance of landing the Cocktail Glass or Blender symbols.

First Impression

With Keep ’em Cool, Hacksaw Gaming is back to its friendlier, sunny side. Known for alternating between dark and light-hearted themes, Hacksaw has crafted a refreshing beach-themed slot with frozen symbols that play a central role in creating winning clusters. The addition of Cocktail Glass and Blender symbols adds layers of excitement to both the base game and bonus rounds.

In Free Spins, while gameplay remains consistent, there’s an increased likelihood of seeing these special symbols. Cocktail Glasses appear frequently, allowing for multiple refreezes, though Blender symbols seem more elusive. Still, Cocktail Glasses can repeat winning clusters up to five times, so their appearance feels rewarding. With the right combinations, wins up to 5,000x the bet are possible.

Overall, Keep ’em Cool has medium volatility (3/5) and an RTP of up to 96.19% (96.25% for feature buy), making it a balanced option. While it may not be Hacksaw’s flashiest release, Keep ’em Cool offers an entertaining and refreshingly unique slot experience.