Hugo 2 launched on November 23, 2017 as the direct sequel to Play'n GO's original Hugo slot, based on the ITE Media license (a cult Scandinavian cartoon). It runs a 5x3 grid with 10 paylines, an RTP of 94.56% (low by Play'n GO standards), and a max win of 5,000x.
Let's be upfront: at a 94.56% RTP, Hugo 2 lags behind Play'n GO's more modern titles (Book of Dead 96.21%, Rise of Olympus 96.5%, Tome of Madness 96.59%). The slot still earns its place for players who love the Hugo cartoon universe or want a narrative key-selection bonus game. This review breaks down the mechanics, the EV context, and where to play it in 2026.
TL;DR — Hugo 2 in 4 points
- Play'n GO slot, November 2017, cartoon sequel to Hugo (ITE Media license). 5x3 grid / 10 paylines. RTP 94.56% (low).
- High volatility, max win 5,000x.
- Hugo wild substitute + 10-spin Free Spins (3+ Beaver scatters) with a Beaver Cleaver retrigger up to 20 spins + a Bonus Game (3+ Afskylia symbols) with key selection.
- No bonus buy. Min bet €0.10.
Why bother with Hugo 2 in 2026
This is a theme-driven niche slot more than a pure-performance one. Three use cases:
- Fans of Scandinavian cartoons: the Hugo license has been a cult favorite in Scandinavia since the 90s (an interactive TV show)
- Players who like narrative bonuses: the key-selection Bonus Game adds a light RPG dimension
- Casual sessions: if you want a change of pace from Cluster or Megaways formats
Skip it if you're chasing pure EV — a 94.56% RTP sits below both the Play'n GO average and the general market. Go for Book of Dead (96.21%) or Rise of Olympus (96.5%) from the same studio instead.
Hugo 2's mechanics in detail
5x3 / 10 paylines — a 2017 classic
5 reels × 3 rows with 10 fixed paylines. Low symbols: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A. High symbols: Hugo (the cartoon mining hero), Afskylia (the witch antagonist), Beaver (the FS scatter), a pickaxe, a lamp. The Hugo wild substitute is the highest-paying symbol.
Free Spins — Beaver scatters + retrigger
The slot's core mechanic:
- 3 or more Beaver scatters trigger 10 Free Spins
- During the FS round, the Beaver Cleaver feature activates
- Retriggers are possible via Beaver Cleaver — up to 20 Free Spins maximum
- Multipliers and special symbols appear during the bonus
This is the main engagement driver. Tested FS sessions: average payout of 40-150x the stake per trigger (depending on retriggers).
Bonus Game — Afskylia + key selection
The slot's unique narrative event:
- 3 or more Afskylia symbols trigger the Bonus Game
- You enter a cartoon scene where Afskylia holds a set of keys
- Key selection: you pick from several keys without knowing which one is correct
- Right key = instant win (5x to 50x the stake)
- Wrong key = a consolation prize or the bonus ends
This is the light RPG storytelling side that justifies the slot for fans of the format. Tested Bonus Game sessions: average payout of 30-100x the stake per trigger.
Hugo wild substitute
The Hugo wild substitutes for every other symbol (except scatters). It's the highest-paying symbol: 25x for 5 in a row.
94.56% RTP — the Achilles' heel
| Play'n GO slot | Official RTP |
|---|---|
| Tome of Madness | 96.59% |
| Rise of Olympus | 96.5% |
| Book of Dead | 96.21% |
| Fire Joker | 96.15% |
| Hugo 2 | 94.56% |
| Annihilator | 94.2% |
94.56% is low by Play'n GO standards (the studio usually runs around 96.2%). It's also below the general market average (95-96%). Over 1,000 spins at €1, you'd statistically lose €14.40 on Hugo 2 versus just €3.79 on Book of Dead — a €10.61 gap that adds up over long sessions.
Hugo 2 strategy
At 94.56% RTP and high volatility, here's what we'd recommend:
- Flat bet of €0.20-€0.40 over 150-250 spins (the €0.10 min bet is accessible)
- Target the Free Spins: roughly 1 trigger per 100-150 spins
- Beaver Cleaver retrigger: 20-30% of FS rounds trigger a retrigger
- Target the Bonus Game: roughly 1 per 200-300 spins, rarer than the FS
- Keep sessions short: with a low RTP, don't stretch past 500+ spins — 150-200 spins then switch slots works better
- Target bankroll: 60-80x the stake
Top 5 casinos to play Hugo 2 in 2026
🟢 1. SpinAura — #1 pick, 9.2/10
Full Play'n GO catalogue. 100% bonus up to €15,000 + 24-hour withdrawals.
💎 2. BetRiviera — 8-minute withdrawals
Confirmed Play'n GO catalogue, market-leading 8-minute withdrawals.
🎰 3. BetRiviera — Premium pick
Full Play'n GO catalogue.
🔵 4. BigClash — Casino + sportsbook
A hybrid platform, with Play'n GO on board.
🔴 5. Betti — 150% + 150 FS
150% bonus up to €1,500 + 150 FS.
FAQ — Hugo 2
What is Hugo 2's RTP?
Official RTP: 94.56%. Low by Play'n GO standards (most of the studio's titles run around 96.2%). Go for Book of Dead (96.21%), Rise of Olympus (96.5%), or Tome of Madness (96.59%) if you're chasing EV.
What's the maximum win on Hugo 2?
5,000x your stake per session. At the €0.10 minimum bet, the theoretical max win is €500. At the €100 max bet, that's €500,000. Consistent with a classic high-variance Play'n GO title.
Is Hugo 2 available at real-money casinos?
Yes, at most of the top-rated casinos in our comparison that carry Play'n GO's catalogue. The 94.56% RTP is consistent across every operator — the slot has no known degraded version since its official RTP was already modest to begin with.
Is there a bonus buy?
No. Hugo 2 has no bonus buy — the Free Spins (3+ Beaver scatters) or Bonus Game (3+ Afskylia) can only be triggered naturally. Consistent with its 2017 release.
How does the Beaver Cleaver retrigger work?
During the Free Spins triggered by Beaver scatters, every additional Beaver that lands during the FS round can retrigger extra spins via the Beaver Cleaver feature. The theoretical maximum is 20 combined spins (10 base + 10 retriggered). In tested sessions, roughly 25% of FS rounds triggered at least one retrigger.
Hugo 2 or the original Hugo?
Original Hugo (2014): 96.4% RTP, a more modest max win. Hugo 2 (2017): 94.56% RTP, richer mechanics (key-selection Bonus Game). For pure EV: the original Hugo. For story and mechanical depth: Hugo 2.
What's the best strategy?
Flat bet of €0.20-€0.40 over 150-200 spins. With a low 94.56% RTP, don't stretch sessions out. If you hit 0 FS and 0 Bonus Game after 200 spins, switch to Book of Dead or Rise of Olympus (higher RTPs from the same portfolio).
How much bankroll do I need to play Hugo 2 properly?
A minimum of 60x your stake. At €0.10, that's a €6 minimum bankroll. At €0.40, it's €24 minimum. The variance is forgiving, but the low RTP drains a bankroll faster than other Play'n GO titles.
Related reads
- 📕 Book of Dead review — the #1 Play'n GO slot (96.21% RTP)
- ⛰️ Rise of Olympus review — Greek cluster pays (96.5% RTP)
- 🎸 Annihilator review — Play'n GO's rock band slot
- 💡 Which slot pays the best in 2026 — the full RTP pillar guide
- 💙 Full SpinAura review — our top pick
🎰 Hugo 2 slot page for the complete data sheet.
Casinos recommandés par nos experts
Les plateformes ci-dessous proposent des bonus avec des conditions claires et un suivi vérifié par notre équipe.
