Xpander (Hacksaw Gaming) – Review & Demo Play

Xpander Slot Overview

Xpander sits in Hacksaw’s Pocketz series and plays on a 7x7 grid with cluster pays from 5+ symbols. The retro‑futuristic city backdrop and gentle Synthwave track give a low‑key feel, though the gameplay is anything but. The headline is a hopping overlay multiplier called the Hopper that can grow in both value and size. Expect a highly volatile ride with a 96.25% RTP in standard play. When it clicks, the game can hit fast, yet dry spells are very much part of the package.

Xpander Slot Information

The look mixes classic fruit icons with neon touches against purple high‑rises, very Pocketz and very mobile‑first. It’s clean rather than flashy, and the soundtrack ramps up when the round heats up. I’ve played it on both phone and laptop and the layout stays readable, with the focus fixed on the grid where the action happens.

Wins are awarded via clusters that can trigger cascades, removing winning symbols and dropping new ones into place. The Hopper overlay starts at x2 and 1x1 in size, hopping to a fresh position between spins. When it sits on a winning cluster, that cluster’s payout gets multiplied by the Hopper value. This creates those streaky, swingy sequences Pocketz fans expect.

Slot Details for Xpander

Xpander is a high volatility grid slot with a theoretical return of 96.25% in standard play. The Bonus Buy trims that figure slightly to 96.20%. Stakes range from 0.20 to 100 per spin, with a maximum win of 10,000x. The Hopper can reach x128 and expand up to 4x4, which is where the big outcomes live. Feature buy is available at 129x the bet for those who prefer skipping the wait for free spins.

Xpander Slot Features

Cascades remove winning clusters and keep going until no new wins form. A wild made of playing cards substitutes for all but scatters. The Hopper is the star: it begins as x2 and 1x1, hopping to a new grid position. Any cluster win covered by it gets multiplied, which can turn modest hits into serious returns once the value and footprint grow.

Double Up symbols double the current Hopper, with multiple on the same sequence stacking, up to x128. Grow symbols, shown as a green four‑arrow icon, are collected during a tumble sequence. Every three Grow symbols expand the Hopper size from 1x1 to 2x2, then 3x3, and finally 4x4. Each time it grows, you get a respin. Size and value reset between paid spins.

Land three or more FS scatters to trigger free spins. You start with five, and 1UP symbols add +1 spin apiece. The key change is that the Hopper’s size and value progress do not reset during the feature, so building it early can be decisive. Where allowed, you can buy free spins for 129x the bet, with the RTP adjusted to 96.20% for that route.

Symbols in Xpander

Low pays are cherries, lemon, grapes and watermelon; 15+ in a cluster pay 20x. Medium pays are bell, horseshoe and lucky seven; 15+ pay 60x. The best symbol is the diamond, paying 80x for 15+. The wild is a blank hand of cards that substitutes for everything except the scatter. Free spins scatters show FS. You’ll also see DoubleUp! symbols that upgrade the Hopper value and a green Grow symbol with four arrows that increases the Hopper size.

Xpander Symbols and Paytable

Symbol	Quantity	Payout
	15+	x80
	12-14	x40
	10-11	x20
	9	x12
	8	x8
	7	x2
	6	x1
	5	x0.5
	15+	x60
	12-14	x30
	10-11	x10
	9	x6
	8	x4
	7	x1
	6	x0.5
	5	x0.25
	15+	x60
	12-14	x30
	10-11	x10
	9	x6
	8	x4
	7	x1
	6	x0.5
	5	x0.25
	15+	x60
	12-14	x30
	10-11	x10
	9	x6
	8	x4
	7	x1
	6	x0.5
	5	x0.25
	15+	x20
	12-14	x10
	10-11	x5
	9	x2
	8	x1
	7	x0.5
	6	x0.2
	5	x0.1
	15+	x20
	12-14	x10
	10-11	x5
	9	x2
	8	x1
	7	x0.5
	6	x0.2
	5	x0.1
	15+	x20
	12-14	x10
	10-11	x5
	9	x2
	8	x1
	7	x0.5
	6	x0.2
	5	x0.1
	15+	x20
	12-14	x10
	10-11	x5
	9	x2
	8	x1
	7	x0.5
	6	x0.2
	5	x0.1
	Scatter
	Wild

Xpander: Slot Verdict

I rate Xpander as a classic Hacksaw Pocketz entry: simple looks, edgy maths. Five free spins feel short and sharp, yet tumbles and 1UP drops can stretch the round nicely. In my sessions, returns were muted until the Hopper climbed a few steps; once it did, clusters started to matter. That x128 cap and 4x4 size target give you a clear goal.

The base game can tease with growth spurts that reset on the next paid spin, so patience helps. When it fires, the grid action makes you forget the plain visuals. With a 10,000x max win and a familiar but refined Hopper idea, it’s a logical pick for Pocketz fans and anyone who enjoys high variance grid play with a simple, punchy multiplier core.