The Library: Slot Overview
In what feels like another step toward industry dominance, software provider Hacksaw Gaming has expanded its reach by welcoming a new studio into the fold—Kitsune Studios (named after the Japanese fox spirit). Making its debut, Kitsune Studios has introduced The Library, a slot that brings Hacksaw Gaming’s well-known Stackways mechanic into play. If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen this feature stack symbols high in previous titles like Mayan Stackways and Ronin Stackways. This time, however, it’s being paired with a touch of Book of-style gameplay in the free spins rounds.
A library may not be the first place that comes to mind for an action-packed gambling experience—typically, you’re expected to keep things quiet in such establishments. But then again, Mystery Museum by Push Gaming proved that a setting like this can absolutely work. Libraries are, after all, treasure troves of knowledge and imagination, offering a gateway to adventure—all without an entry fee. Kitsune Studios has embraced that magic by crafting a beautifully designed book-filled room, where players can spin the reels in a setting that feels warm, cozy, and inviting. And, rather than just featuring stacks of books, The Library reimagines several famous literary characters as part of its symbol set, adding another layer of intrigue to the experience.
The Library’s 5×4 grid offers an astonishing number of ways to win—up to 100,000 in the base game and a staggering 3.2 million during free spins. Of course, achieving such numbers depends on the Stackways mechanic working at full capacity. Players can place bets ranging from 10 cents to $/€100 per spin in this high-volatility slot, which features a maximum RTP of 96.34%.
As for the symbol lineup, the lower-paying symbols are 10 to A card ranks, while the premium symbols appear to be AI-inspired renditions of literary legends like Lewis Carroll, Dante Alighieri, Edgar Allan Poe, and Beatrix Potter. Landing five-of-a-kind royal symbols pays 0.5 to 0.6 times the bet, whereas five premium symbols fetch 1.5 to 3 times the stake. Interestingly, The Library does not include wild symbols, keeping the focus squarely on its stacking mechanics.
The Library: Features & Bonus Rounds
The Library’s Stackways mechanic takes center stage, appearing in both base gameplay and the free spins rounds—Stack the Shelves Spins and Super Stack the Shelves Spins.
Stackways Mechanic
When a Stackways symbol lands, it stacks 2 to 10 identical symbols on its respective reel. There are two types of Stackways:
- Normal Stackways: Stack 2, 3, or 4 symbols.
- Revealing Stackways: Stack 5 to 10 symbols.
The stacked symbol is determined based on which symbol would create the longest possible winning combination at the moment of activation. If multiple options exist, the game selects one randomly. Stacking only occurs if the result forms a winning combination.
Stack the Shelves Spins (Free Spins)
- Triggered by landing 3 book scatter symbols in the base game.
- Awards 10 free spins.
- One Special symbol is assigned at the start of the round.
- Special symbols stack and pay when landing on 3 or more reels.
- Stack Indicators appear below reels, revealing a stacking range of 2 to 10 symbols.
- Stackways symbols that land merge with the indicators, increasing the stacking amount up to 20 symbols per reel.
Free Spins Retriggers
- 2 scatters → +2 extra spins.
- 3 scatters → +4 extra spins.
- 4 scatters → Upgrades to Super Stack the Shelves Spins and grants +4 spins.
Super Stack the Shelves Spins
- Triggered by landing 4 scatter symbols in the base game.
- Works exactly like the regular free spins but starts with 2 assigned Special symbols instead of 1.
Bonus Buy Options
For players who want to jump straight into the action, The Library offers Bonus Buy options:
- BonusHunt FeatureSpins – 3x the bet per spin to make a bonus 5x more likely to trigger.
- Stackways FeatureSpins – 50x the bet, guaranteeing at least 2 Stackways symbols per spin.
- Stack the Shelves Spins – 150x the bet for instant entry into the standard free spins round.
The Library: Slot Verdict
Hacksaw Gaming is a studio known for refining and reworking mechanics it finds promising, tweaking and reshaping them to fit various releases. That said, it’s interesting to note that the Stackways mechanic hasn’t seen major innovations since its debut in Mayan Stackways and Ronin Stackways. Now, with its first release, Kitsune Studios has taken the reins, delivering The Library—a slot boasting massive win potential and eye-catching gameplay figures, including a staggering 3.2 million possible ways to win during free spins.
Of course, numbers alone don’t make a great slot. While The Library has exciting Stackways action, some presentation choices feel slightly out of place. For example, the glass tube and electricity effect during stacking animations don’t quite match the cozy, bookish theme of the game. A minor detail? Sure. But thematic immersion can enhance a slot’s appeal, and this small disconnect might have been better refined.
However, mechanically speaking, The Library introduces a clever stacking system in free spins, where Stackways symbols merge with Special symbols, allowing for huge symbol stacks—a feature that can fill the board with matching symbols if luck is on your side.
For a debut release, The Library is a strong first showing. While it lacks the polish of a seasoned studio and some of the pay symbols feel a bit AI-generated, Kitsune Studios has made a bold choice by working with a mechanic that Hacksaw Gaming itself hasn’t pushed much further. If the fabled 3.2 million ways to win ever triggers, let’s hope someone captures it on video—because that would truly make The Library a slot to remember.