Series
Hotline series
Hotline series: NetEnt's retro crime formula changes lanes
Among retro car-and-detective slots, NetEnt's Hotline series occupies a narrow lane: a neon crime caper whose sequel replaces fixed paylines with a much wider ways system. Hotline established the format in 2018 on a 5x3 grid with 30 paylines, medium volatility, respins, expanding symbols, free spins and multipliers. Its 97.04% RTP is unusually prominent within the pair's risk profile.
Ranked by Slot Score
Hotline 2 changed the mechanical emphasis in 2020. The sequel retains the 5x3 frame and medium-volatility label but expands play to 1,944 ways, with stacked symbols, changing reel sets, expanding wilds and extra free spins. Its RTP falls to 96.05%, while the listed ceiling reaches 5,184x.
The choice is therefore structural rather than cosmetic. The original offers fixed-line clarity and a stronger return percentage; Hotline 2 trades that directness for denser symbol coverage and a bonus built around a reel set that can grow and change.