5 Wild Buffalo 2: An Exciting Sequel to the Original
It’s no great secret that casino game makers are drawn to wilderness themes featuring majestic animals like buffalo. 4ThePlayer has taken this a step further with their 2024 release, 5 Wild Buffalo 2. Following the success of its predecessor, this sequel introduces new features such as an ante bet, the Golden Buffalo symbol, and fresh mechanics that offer an exciting twist to the original game. While it doesn’t stray too far from its roots, the updates are definitely worth exploring. Let’s saddle up and take a closer look at the game’s offerings.
Visual Tweaks and Game Layout
While 5 Wild Buffalo 2 stays true to the look of the original, there are subtle changes in the graphics that players may notice. The background has switched from rocky terrain to lush trees, adding to the game’s immersive feel. The game area is still framed in wood and surrounded by majestic wildlife, complete with a spinning jackpot wheel and jackpot prizes displayed at the top of the screen. These visual elements make for a bold and eye-catching interface, drawing players into the world of the buffalo. For those who appreciate the design of 5 Wild Buffalo, this updated version will feel familiar but enhanced.
Game Mechanics: 5×4 Grid with 1,024 Ways to Win
The gameplay in 5 Wild Buffalo 2 takes place on a 5×4 grid with 1,024 ways to win, a format that ensures players can find multiple opportunities for success. A combination of matching symbols must land across at least three consecutive reels to trigger a payout. The RTP of 96.01% is standard, and the game maintains high volatility, ensuring that the hawkplay payouts can be quite generous, albeit infrequent. Players can stake anywhere from 20c to €80 per spin, and for those looking to increase their chances, there’s the option to activate the Power Bet, which raises the stake by 25% to improve the odds of triggering free spins.
Symbol Values: A Mix of Wilds and Animals
As with the original game, the symbols in 5 Wild Buffalo 2 have a similar payout structure. The lower-value symbols are represented by card ranks (10 to Ace), while the higher-value symbols feature various wild animals like horses, eagles, cougars, wolves, bears, and, of course, buffalo. Landing five of the same animal symbol on consecutive reels can earn players up to 0.25x their bet. Wild symbols in the game can substitute for all symbols except for the scatter symbol, adding another layer of excitement to each spin.
Boosting Fortunes: Bigger Prizes Await
One of the exciting features in 5 Wild Buffalo 2 is the Boosting Fortunes mechanic. The game includes five Fortune Prizes (Mini, Big, Super, Mega, and Ultra), which range in value from 8x to 5,000x the player’s stake. These prizes sit above the reels, and diamonds can appear on any symbol, increasing the value of the Fortune prize above that reel. If you’re lucky hawkplay enough to land a Diamond symbol—or a wild during the free spins—players can activate the Fortune Wheel, spinning it for a chance to win one of the Fortune Prizes.
For those looking to maximize their winning potential, you can explore hawkplay to check out various casino features that could enhance your experience.
Buffalo Thunder: A Wild Twist
In addition to Boosting Fortunes, 5 Wild Buffalo 2 offers the Buffalo Thunder feature. This feature can be triggered during both the base game and free spins. When four Buffalo symbols land on the same reel, they merge into a single, larger symbol with a multiplier ranging from x5 to x10. This feature adds excitement and potential for big wins, especially if it lands during the free spins round.
Golden Buffalo Stacks: Multiplying Your Wins
A standout feature of 5 Wild Buffalo 2 is the Golden Buffalo stacks. These stacks appear as full, 4-high symbols and can carry a multiplier of x10, dramatically increasing the potential value of any win. The Golden Buffalo stacks can land on any reel during the game, adding a surprise element to every spin. In addition to this, there are several Golden Buffalo-specific features:
- Golden Buffalo Summon: 1 to 4 Golden Buffalo stacks are placed on the reels as the reels spin.
- Golden Buffalo Shuffle: After the reels stop, one or more Golden Buffalo stacks may move to another reel, potentially creating new wins.
- Golden Buffalo Nudge: If a Golden Buffalo stack is partially visible, it can nudge to ensure it is fully visible and can contribute to a win.
Free Spins: Expanding Wilds and More
Free spins in 5 Wild Buffalo 2 are triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols. Players can earn anywhere from 8 to 25 free spins depending on the number of scatters that land. During these free spins, wild symbols expand to cover entire reels and are awarded a stack multiplier ranging from x6 to x12. The Golden Buffalo stacks also play a role in the free spins round, moving across the reels to cover up to four reels at a time. This adds a level of unpredictability and can result in significant payouts. Furthermore, the free spins can be retriggered by landing more scatters, with additional free spins awarded accordingly.
Feature Buy: Instant Access to Special Features
For those who want to skip the waiting game, 5 Wild Buffalo 2 offers a Feature Buy option. Players can buy their way into the free spins feature for 65x their bet, or they can choose a guaranteed Buffalo Thunder win for 100x their bet. These options give players the chance to access exciting features without relying on the luck of the spin.
Conclusion: A Worthy Sequel with Exciting Enhancements
While 5 Wild Buffalo 2 doesn’t break new ground in terms of gameplay, it certainly improves upon the original in several key areas. The new features like Golden Buffalo stacks, Boosting Fortunes, and Buffalo Thunder provide fresh excitement, making this sequel a compelling choice for fans of the original. If you enjoyed 5 Wild Buffalo, the sequel’s upgrades and additions will undoubtedly appeal to you. For players seeking an immersive, action-packed slot with plenty of opportunities for big wins, 5 Wild Buffalo 2 is worth checking out on platforms like hawkplay.
