Jack Hammer 4: Chasing the Dragon — NetEnt's Detective Enters New Territory

Mark your calendars for 12 June 2025—Detective Jack Hammer returns for his boldest case yet in Jack Hammer 4: Chasing the Dragon. NetEnt's comic-strip hero leaps forward into modern gaming territory with a dynamic 6x6 Cluster Pays grid, turbocharged Sticky Win re-spins, and an intriguing Corner Wild system.

What's New in Jack Hammer 4?

Since Jack's debut in 2010, each sequel has tweaked his formula, from the 99-line spins of Jack Hammer 2: Fishy Business to the scatter-style payouts and modest multipliers of Jack Hammer 3: Diamond Affair. Yet, none have radically changed the detective’s gameplay until now.

In Chasing the Dragon, NetEnt introduces a fully-fledged Cluster Pays mechanic. Clusters of six or more symbols, or three-plus scatters, trigger the beloved Sticky Win re-spins. This classic feature becomes exponentially more exciting on a larger 36-tile grid, promising intense suspense as wins grow incrementally with every re-spin.

The standout innovation is the Corner Wild system, exclusive to this edition. Wild symbols only appear in the grid's corners, transforming into powerful modifiers—Expanders, Upgraders, Multipliers, or Cash Prize Wilds—that can dramatically escalate payouts. Triggering multiple Corner Wilds at once sets off a chain reaction, amplifying wins significantly and ensuring players remain glued to the action.

Elevated Features and Strategic Bonuses

Jack Hammer 4 also adopts NetEnt's recent bonus-buy structure, "Elevate", first popularized in Starburst Galaxy. Offering five distinct buy-in options, players can strategically select from enhanced scatter odds at just 2x bet, guaranteed wild activations at 10x, standard Free Spins at 100x, Lucky Draw at 150x, or jump straight into Super Free Spins for 300x. It's a proven structure that worked brilliantly in previous slots like Wild Mining XXXtreme and offers both casual players and high-rollers engaging pathways to chase the game's sizeable 10,000x max win.

Comparison to NetEnt's Recent Cluster Hits

To appreciate Jack Hammer 4 fully, consider its spot in NetEnt's current lineup. Unlike the expansive and highly volatile Starburst Galaxy, which boasts a colossal 25,000x potential, Jack Hammer 4 offers more balanced, consistent pacing. Similarly, where Lost Relics 2 stretches its grid up to a 10x10 format with a massive 21,148x potential, Jack Hammer 4 keeps its grid manageable but tightly packed with strategic features. Fans of the more playful puzzle dynamics found in 101 Candies will appreciate Jack Hammer's amplified stakes and deeper tactical layers without the overwhelming volatility.

Gameplay Feel and Strategic Depth

Testing Jack Hammer 4 highlights its strengths clearly: base-game re-spins frequently provide modest boosts, punctuated by significant spikes whenever multiple Corner Wilds combine effectively. Free Spins naturally amplify potential; standard Free Spins purchased at 100x bet regularly deliver solid returns, while Super Free Spins consistently yield impressive rewards due to persistent corner bonuses.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Chase?

Jack Hammer 4 confidently positions itself within NetEnt's portfolio as an engaging, high-volatility cluster-slot experience that retains the series' charming comic-strip roots. Its strategic depth through the Corner Wild system and accessible bonus-buy options make it an attractive choice for various player styles. Players are advised, however, to seek out the optimal 96.01% RTP configuration and avoid the lower-tier versions available at some NetEnt casinos.

In short, Jack Hammer 4: Chasing the Dragon is the modern reinvention fans have long awaited—rich in suspense, visually compelling, and tactically rewarding.