– A New Era at 10p Gamer
Well, it finally happened — I’ve been given the reins (yes, pun intended) to offer up my own opinion on some slot reviews! So buckle up, folks. I’m Thalnothos — or as some of you might know me, HillsHolidays — and I’m bringing some festive fun to the 10p Gamer Channel. Don’t worry, Matt’s opinions aren’t going anywhere, but I’ll be adding some extra Christmas sparkle (or maybe coal dust) to your reading list.
The Arcade is booming, and what better time to get festive than with Pragmatic Play’s brand-new Christmas release — Santa’s Slay. It’s due out on November 20, 2025, and we’re diving headfirst into the snow to find out whether this slot is truly a guaranteed gift… or just a lump of coal.
Game Information
Game Stats at a Glance
- Provider: Pragmatic Play
- Reels/Rows: 5×4
- Paylines: 10
- RTP: 96.53% | 95.53% | 94.52%
- Hit Frequency: 1 in 7.02
- Free Spins Frequency: 1 in 113.18
- Max Win: 2,000x (1 in 762,660 chance)
- Volatility: High
- Min/Max Bet: 0.05 / 240
- Release Date: November 20, 2025
Now that the numbers are out of the sleigh bag — let’s see if Pragmatic Play is delivering guaranteed gifts, or if Santa’s slipped us a lump of coal instead, as we get into Santa’s Slay Review.
Visuals & Atmosphere
One thing you can always rely on Pragmatic Play for is gorgeous visuals, and Santa’s Slay delivers in that department. The snowy North Pole setting, sparkling Christmas trees, and cheeky reindeer leading the charge all come together to create a warm, wintry vibe. Fairy lights twinkle across the screen like festive fireflies, and the overall art design is charming — a true seasonal treat.
But then… there’s the music. Oh, Pragmatic. It’s jingly alright, but the tune loops every four beats, and after your third spin, you’ll be ready to hit mute faster than Santa hits the sherry. The bonus round track picks up slightly, but still — this isn’t one to hum along to. Do better, Pragmatic. Please.
Gameplay – Base Game
It’s refreshing to see an original game from Pragmatic Play instead of another reskin. Props where they’re due. Symbols like gingerbread men, puddings, candy canes, and stockings bring personality to the reels.
However, the base game feels… a little flat. It’s a standard 5×4 grid with 10 paylines running left to right, but wins are few and far between. The festive cheer quickly fades when the payouts don’t jingle your bells. The RTP might look solid, but in practice, it feels more Scrooge than Santa.
Bonus Round – The Real Gift (Sort Of)
Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols triggers 10, 15, or 30 free spins, respectively. No “super bonus” here — just good ol’ fashioned free spins.
During the bonus round, up to 8 wilds In the form of Christmas Presents, can randomly appear on the reels thanks to the friendly Reindeer. These wilds are sticky until they help form a win. If a wild lands on top of another, it adds a +1 multiplier. Multipliers stack, meaning multiple wilds can turn a modest win into a decent haul. You can also retrigger the feature with another 3, 4, or 5 scatters for 10, 15, or 30 extra spins.
It’s fun, it’s dynamic, and those multiplying wilds can snowball nicely — but it doesn’t quite hit the high notes of other Pragmatic holiday slots.
Feature Buy?
Nope. You’ll have to earn your way into the bonus round the old-fashioned way. While that’s typical for Pragmatic Play, a “Gift Buy” feature could’ve added an interesting twist — maybe random wild presents landing. Missed opportunity.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
✅ Beautiful visuals and festive atmosphere
✅ Original design — not a reskin
✅ Bonus round retriggers fairly often
✅ Multiplying sticky wilds can create exciting wins
Cons:
❌ Repetitive, uninspired soundtrack
❌ Weak base game with low engagement
❌ Disappointing 2,000x max win
❌ No feature buy option
Final Verdict – Gift or Coal?
So, is Santa’s Slay a guaranteed gift or a lump of coal? Honestly, it’s somewhere in between. While it’s not completely joyless, it lacks the magic sparkle that makes you want to keep spinning.
The graphics shine, the mechanics work, but the fun factor fizzles faster than cheap fairy lights. With a max win of only 2,000x, it feels more like getting socks from Grandma than a shiny new console.
Rating: 🎄 4/10
Add it to your festive rotation for the vibes — but don’t expect it to sleigh your balance. Dont forget to stay up to date with new videos, on Youtube, and for new slot reviews from Matt at 10p Gamer Arcade
