Da Block Demo (Skywind) Slot Demo & Review

Slot Overview

Da Block is an urban-themed, high-volatility slot from Skywind Group, and it’s one of the most action-packed games we’ve ever reviewed! From Cascading Reels, Framed Symbols, and Inactive Windows to Multipliers, Crash Games, a Hold “N” Win-style bonus, and more, this looks to be a dream come true for those wanting constant excitement. But does this feature-rammed game meet expectations? Or is it a generic game with gimmicky mechanics? Let’s find out.

Theme & Design

Da Block is set against a pretty depressing-looking inner-city backdrop, and you’ll see the reels built directly into a run-down apartment block alleyway, plastered with graffiti, boarded windows, and “No Trespassing” signs. 

Skywind Group isn’t overly well known for pushing out the best-looking slots, but that’s something they’re working hard to change, as recent releases like Celestial Beauty and Lightning of Olympus show.

Da Block is quite complex-looking at first, but once you familiarise yourself with how everything works, it’s not too bad! The game’s animations are clean and smooth, and the sound effects complement the action nicely, too.

Da Block Gameplay & Bonus Features

Da Block uses a 6-reel grid with a variable ways-to-win system. There can be up to 262,144 ways depending on how the symbols are distributed. Wins are paid from left to right, you can bet between €0.20 and €200 per spin, and the RTP, unfortunately, is undisclosed. Da Block also uses a Cascading Reels mechanic, so any win sees the symbols involved in the win disappear, with new ones dropping down from above.

The Cascading Reels mechanic ties in with a multiplier, too. The multiplier begins at 1x in the base game, and 2x in the Free Games, and it increases with each cascade. In the base game, the multiplier can reach 6x, and in the Free Games, 12x. The multiplier then resets between spins.

Now, also worth noting is that at the start of a spin, certain symbols can appear with frames on reels 2 to 5. When these framed symbols are removed during cascades, they reveal a Wild on the following cascade. Things get a bit complex here, as there are also “Inactive Windows” on each spin. The reels can randomly contain these symbols that do not directly contribute to any wins. 

These are, essentially, blanks, but when they’re adjacent to a winning symbol, they then reveal one of the game’s regular paying symbols, or a Wild, depending on which reel/position they appear.

Hold ’n’ Spin Feature

Landing six or more Hold ’n’ Spin symbols across the reels triggers the Hold ’n’ Spin feature. Triggering symbols lock in place, and the remaining reel positions are then cleared.

3 Respins are awarded, and during the Respins, all positions spin as individual reels, and only Cash Prize symbols can land (or blanks.) These cash prizes can be worth between 1x and 100x, and each new Cash Prize locks in place and resets your remaining Respin count back to 3. The feature ends when there are no more Respins or empty positions left.

Crash Game

Once the Hold ’n’ Spin bonus is finished, a Crash Game is awarded: one game for each column (reel) that landed at least one Cash Prize symbol during the Respins.

During this Crash Game, a multiplier begins at 1x and increases in real time. You are given the choice to cashout at any time before the “crash” occurs. If you cashout, you win whatever value the multiplier was at; if you don’t, and the “crash” happens, you don’t win anything for that round.

Free Games

Finally, there’s a Free Games Bonus, triggered by landing 3+ Scatter symbols in view. Doing so awards 12 free games, with any additional Scatters awarding +6 spins. During the Free Games, the base game mechanics carry over, but any Inactive Windows that land on reels 3 and 4 can only reveal empty spaces of Wilds; no regular symbols.

Double Chance & Bonus Buy

Da Block also has a Double Chance ante bet option, which increases the likelihood of triggering Free Games, at a 50% stake increase. Alternatively, you can buy into the Free Games directly for 150x.