Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX Slot Review

Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Maurya

Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX is an ambitious sequel from PearFiction Studios, combining a classic crime-themed slot presentation with character-driven Collect mechanics and an expanded version of the familiar LockNWin format. Instead of relying on one straightforward Hold & Win-style bonus, the game builds its identity around eight Collect characters, five Rainbow Diamonds and the new LockNWinX feature.

According to PearFiction Studios, Chicago Gold 2 uses a dynamic reel configuration beginning at 5 reels by 4 rows and capable of expanding to 5×7 during feature gameplay. The studio classifies the game as high volatility and lists three theoretical RTP configurations: 96.02%, 94.01% and 92.06%.

There is one important detail players should know before reading further. PearFiction’s official product page currently gives 7 September 2026 as the scheduled release date. At the time of this review in August 2026, several casino and demo directories are already indexing or previewing Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX, but the official studio date means it should still be considered an upcoming or pre-release game in some markets.

So, does Chicago Gold 2 improve enough on the original to deserve attention? Based on its published specifications and available preview gameplay, the answer is largely yes. The combination of persistent Diamond collection, evolving Collect mechanics and a progressively expanding LockNWinX board creates a more layered experience than a typical cash-symbol slot.

Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX Slot Specification

PearFiction officially confirms the grid sizes, RTP configurations, high volatility, Free Spins availability, eight unique Collect mechanics and LockNWinX feature. A hands-on demo review reports the base game using 25 paylines.

Theme and Design

Chicago Gold 2 returns to a stylised gangster world filled with sharply dressed characters, cash, weapon-themed symbols and criminal-underworld imagery. It is not attempting to recreate Chicago realistically; instead, it uses a cinematic, exaggerated mobster aesthetic designed around recognisable personalities and visually distinct feature symbols.

This matters because the characters are more than decoration. PearFiction says the sequel contains eight different Collect characters, with each character providing a different Collect mechanic. That makes the theme directly connected to the mathematical features rather than simply sitting in the background.

Available demo gameplay shows coloured pots above the reels associated with thematic items such as knives, stars, Molotov cocktails, bullets and TNT. Beneath the reels are five Diamond positions that track progress towards the larger bonus feature.

Visually, there is a lot happening on screen. Players who prefer extremely simple three-reel or classic fruit-machine layouts may find Chicago Gold 2 busy. Players who enjoy feature-rich video slots, however, are likely to appreciate how much information is communicated through the characters, pots, Diamonds and expanding reel area.

How Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX Works

The normal game begins on a 5×4 reel layout. PearFiction’s official specification does not currently provide a numbered ways-to-win figure and lists “N/A” under Ways, while available gameplay testing describes the base game as operating with 25 paylines.

Standard spins combine conventional reel wins with Cash symbols and Collect characters. In one documented preview session, Cash symbols displayed bet-multiplier values such as 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x. When the relevant Collect character landed, the displayed Cash values could be gathered into a payout.

This creates an important distinction between Chicago Gold 2 and many basic Hold & Win games. You are not merely waiting for enough bonus symbols to appear simultaneously. Different characters can interact with the Cash symbols in different ways, giving the base game its own feature potential before LockNWinX is reached.

Eight Unique Collect Features

PearFiction describes eight characters, each with a unique Collect mechanic. The studio has publicly explained at least one in detail: Boost Collect, represented by the Knife Thrower.

When the Knife Thrower lands, Boost Collect can add additional Cash symbols to the reels and/or increase the values of Cash symbols already visible. After those enhancements have been applied, the feature collects the Cash and Jackpot symbols currently on screen.

That structure gives players two possible layers of value: first improving what is available to collect, and then actually collecting it.

Other Collect effects become especially important within LockNWinX. Available preview gameplay identifies feature effects labelled BOOST, MULTI, ZONE, PATH and MAXI, demonstrating how character mechanics can alter individual Cash symbols or sections of the bonus grid.

For example, PATH was observed increasing values along a route through the grid and introducing Cash symbols into previously empty positions. ZONE created a boosted area affecting several positions, while MULTI applied multipliers to selected Cash values.

This interconnected feature design is one of the strongest elements of Chicago Gold 2. Many cash-collect slots offer only one collector symbol. Here, the different characters create several possible ways for the same board of Cash symbols to become more valuable.

Rainbow Diamonds and Bonus Collect

The five Rainbow Diamonds are arguably the most important progression symbols in the game.

PearFiction states that collecting all five Rainbow Diamonds triggers the Bonus Collect, which leads into an all-in LockNWinX experience combining the game’s different feature mechanics.

Preview gameplay shows these Diamonds occupying five positions beneath the standard reels and accumulating as play continues. Once all five positions were filled in the documented demo session, the game transitioned from the standard 5×4 configuration into the expanded LockNWinX feature.

From a game-design perspective, this works well because the Diamonds create visible progress. Even when ordinary reel results are uneventful, seeing another Diamond collected can make the player feel closer to the main bonus.

However, it is important not to confuse progress indicators with guaranteed profitability. A high-volatility slot can still produce extended losing periods, and reaching a bonus does not guarantee that the feature will recover previous losses.

LockNWinX Bonus Feature Explained

LockNWinX is where Chicago Gold 2 becomes considerably more interesting.

PearFiction officially states that the reels can grow from 5×4 to 5×7. In observed bonus play, the LockNWinX feature displayed seven potential rows, although only the lower four rows began active. Additional rows could then be unlocked during the feature.

The bonus operates with a limited number of lives or respins. New Cash symbols landing in active positions can reset the remaining lives, producing the familiar tension associated with LockNWin/Hold & Win gameplay.

The major twist is the locked upper portion of the grid.

Keys can arrive during the feature and open additional rows. In the available demo example, one Key unlocked the first additional row, two more were required for the next expansion, and three additional Keys were needed for the final row.

Opening another row creates five additional positions where Cash or special symbols may land. As a result, obtaining Keys early can be especially important because a larger active board provides more opportunities for the remaining feature spins.

There is also a special Diamond position capable of generating useful items and character effects during LockNWinX. The demonstrated feature produced Keys as well as Collect-character effects including PATH, ZONE and MULTI.

The overall result is substantially more dynamic than a standard “land six coins, receive three respins” bonus.

Why Unlocking Rows Matters

A particularly interesting part of LockNWinX is that symbols appearing in locked positions may not automatically pay.

One documented session showed a Major Jackpot symbol worth 500x the bet appearing in the highest locked row. Because that row had not been unlocked before the feature ended, the jackpot was not awarded.

That creates genuine tension. A valuable symbol may be visible, but the player may still need enough Keys to activate its position before the respins expire.

Mechanically, this is clever because it makes reel expansion meaningful. The additional rows are not simply cosmetic extra space; they determine which positions are actually active and eligible to contribute to the final result.

It can also be frustrating. Seeing a large prize stranded behind a locked row is exactly the kind of near-miss moment that some players enjoy and others dislike.

Chicago Gold 2 RTP

The default or highest published RTP for Chicago Gold 2 is 96.02%, but PearFiction also lists versions returning 94.01% and 92.06%.

That difference deserves attention.

RTP represents a theoretical long-term return calculated across a very large number of game rounds. A 96.02% RTP does not mean a player depositing £100 should expect to finish with £96.02. Individual sessions can finish dramatically above or below the theoretical percentage.

More importantly, operators may offer different approved RTP configurations. For that reason, players should open the game’s information or help menu at the casino they are using and check the actual RTP version before staking real money.

Between the three published configurations, the 96.02% version is clearly preferable from a theoretical-return perspective.

Chicago Gold 2 Volatility

PearFiction officially rates Chicago Gold 2 as a high-volatility slot.

High volatility generally means results can be uneven. Smaller wins may not consistently offset losing spins, while a larger proportion of the game’s potential is concentrated in stronger feature outcomes.

That profile fits Chicago Gold 2’s design. Collect characters can boost Cash values, the LockNWinX grid can expand, and several enhancement mechanics can interact inside a single feature. The trade-off is that players should not expect a smooth bankroll curve.

This is therefore better suited to players comfortable with variance than those looking primarily for frequent, low-impact wins.

Stake sizing matters. If you intend to explore the game for a meaningful number of spins, using a modest bet relative to your available entertainment budget makes much more sense than increasing stakes to chase the next Diamond or bonus.

Is There a Free Spins Feature?

Yes. PearFiction’s official specification explicitly identifies Free Spins Game: Yes.

However, the studio’s current public product page focuses primarily on the Collect mechanics, Rainbow Diamonds and LockNWinX and does not yet provide a detailed description of the Free Spins trigger or exact rules.

Because the official launch date is still ahead at the time of writing, it is better not to invent a scatter requirement, number of awarded spins or retrigger mechanic until PearFiction publishes the complete final rules.

That distinction is important for trustworthy slot reviews. A specification marked “Free Spins: Yes” is enough to confirm the feature exists; it is not enough to claim exactly how it behaves.

Bonus Buy Options

Pre-release demo testing has shown a feature-purchase menu containing options such as a Random Any selection at 100x stake and an All 5 Pots Combined option at 500x stake.

Availability may vary by jurisdiction and operator. Bonus-buy functionality is restricted or unavailable in some regulated markets, so players should not assume these options will appear everywhere Chicago Gold 2 is offered.

A Bonus Buy also changes only how a feature is accessed; it does not transform a negative-expectation casino game into an investment. The purchase cost can be substantial relative to the base stake, particularly with a 500x entry option.

Mobile Chicago Gold 2

Chicago Gold 2 should be suitable for smartphones and tablets.

PearFiction lists desktop, mobile and tablet among the supported platforms and uses dynamic scaling for the game’s display. The studio says the title is optimised around a 1280×720 screen footprint while adapting dynamically across device sizes.

That is particularly important here because the interface becomes considerably taller when the reels expand towards 5×7.

On smaller screens, players will want the Collect indicators, Diamonds, Cash values and locked rows to remain readable without excessive zooming. Dynamic scaling is therefore more valuable in Chicago Gold 2 than it would be in a visually simple three-reel slot.

PearFiction Studios and Games Global

Chicago Gold 2 comes from a developer with an established distribution relationship rather than an unknown studio.

PearFiction says it began releasing mobile casual games in 2014, moved into slot development in 2016 and later worked with Microgaming. Following Games Global’s acquisition of certain Microgaming assets, PearFiction entered an exclusive arrangement to release its content through the Games Global platform.

That distribution background helps explain why Chicago Gold 2 is already appearing in casino directories ahead of its official September release. Betway’s Ghana casino, for example, currently indexes a title called Chicago Gold 2 LOCKNWINX, while other new-game directories list the PearFiction release as upcoming.

Players should still judge the casino separately from the game provider. A reputable slot developer does not automatically make every website offering its games trustworthy. Real-money play should be limited to operators licensed for the player’s location.

What We Like About Chicago Gold 2

The strongest part of Chicago Gold 2 is its feature architecture. PearFiction has avoided producing a sequel that merely changes the graphics while retaining exactly the same mathematics.

The eight Collect characters make Cash-symbol interactions less predictable, while the Rainbow Diamond progression gives players a clear secondary objective. LockNWinX then brings these ideas together on an expanding board where Keys, enhanced Cash values and character powers can influence the final outcome.

The 96.02% top RTP version is also competitive by modern online-slot standards, although players need to verify which configuration their casino actually offers.

Our main reservation is complexity. Chicago Gold 2 throws pots, Diamonds, Collect characters, Cash symbols, locked rows, Keys and several enhancement mechanics at the screen. For experienced slot players that is part of the appeal. For newcomers, the first few sessions may require frequent visits to the paytable.

The high volatility is another factor. This is not a slot we would choose for someone specifically looking for low-variance entertainment.

Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX vs Traditional Hold & Win Slots

Traditional Hold & Win games typically start with a fixed grid. A set number of Cash symbols triggers a respin feature, those symbols remain locked, and landing another symbol resets the respin counter.

Chicago Gold 2 keeps part of that formula but adds progression.

Its board can expand from 5×4 towards 5×7, Keys govern access to extra positions, Collect-character abilities can manipulate Cash values, and Rainbow Diamonds provide a pathway into the broader Bonus Collect experience.

That gives LockNWinX a stronger sense of development during the bonus. Instead of simply filling empty spaces, you may be trying to unlock more real estate while simultaneously improving values already present.

It is a more complicated system, but also potentially a more engaging one.

Is Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX Worth Playing?

For players who enjoy high-volatility Cash Collect and Hold & Win-style slots, Chicago Gold 2 looks like one of PearFiction’s more mechanically ambitious releases.

The 5×4-to-5×7 expansion, eight Collect characters and five-Diamond progression system give the game several layers of anticipation. PearFiction’s Boost Collect example also demonstrates that characters can actively modify the Cash symbols before collecting them rather than acting as simple payout triggers.

LockNWinX is the highlight. Unlocking additional rows with Keys while feature effects upgrade Cash values provides more meaningful decisions for the game engine than merely adding extra respins.

There are nevertheless two cautions.

First, always check the RTP. There is a substantial theoretical difference between playing the 96.02% configuration and the 92.06% version.

Second, remember that Chicago Gold 2 is explicitly classified as high volatility. No collection meter, feature animation or nearly completed Diamond row makes the next spin more likely to generate a profit. Every staking decision should therefore remain within a predetermined entertainment budget.

Verdict

Our rating: 8.5/10 based on the published specification and available pre-release gameplay.

Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX takes a familiar Cash Collect concept and gives it significantly more personality and depth. The combination of multiple Collect characters, persistent Rainbow Diamonds and an expanding LockNWinX bonus creates plenty to watch without abandoning the core appeal of a traditional reel slot.

The game will appeal most to experienced slot players who enjoy high volatility, Hold & Win mechanics, cash multipliers and feature-heavy bonuses. Players who prefer simpler layouts or frequent small wins may find it less suitable.

Its strongest feature is clearly LockNWinX. Watching a 5×4 grid develop towards 5×7 while Keys unlock additional positions gives the bonus genuine progression, while effects such as Boost, Multi, Zone and Path can alter the values already collected. Available preview gameplay demonstrates how those systems can interact during a single feature.

The RTP situation is equally important. If given a choice, the 96.02% version is the one to seek out; the alternative 94.01% and 92.06% configurations reduce the theoretical long-term return.

Overall, Chicago Gold 2 appears to be a meaningful sequel rather than a cosmetic reskin. PearFiction has expanded the original concept with a larger bonus board, more Collect mechanics and a progression system that gives players several objectives beyond ordinary line wins.

FAQs

Who makes Chicago Gold 2 LockNWinX?

Chicago Gold 2 is developed by PearFiction Studios, an exclusive content partner of Games Global. PearFiction says its relationship with the platform followed Games Global’s acquisition of certain Microgaming assets in 2022.

What is the Chicago Gold 2 RTP?

PearFiction lists three possible RTP configurations: 96.02%, 94.01% and 92.06%. The version available can depend on the casino or market.

Is Chicago Gold 2 high volatility?

Yes. The developer officially classifies Chicago Gold 2 as high volatility.

How many reels does Chicago Gold 2 have?

The game uses five reels. It starts with a 5×4 grid and can expand to 5×7 during feature gameplay.

What is LockNWinX?

LockNWinX is Chicago Gold 2’s expanded cash-collection feature. Available gameplay shows Cash symbols locking onto active positions while Keys can unlock additional rows and special Collect effects can modify values across the grid.

How do you trigger the main Chicago Gold 2 bonus?

PearFiction says collecting all five Rainbow Diamonds activates Bonus Collect and an all-in LockNWinX experience combining the game’s features.

Does Chicago Gold 2 have Free Spins?

Yes. PearFiction’s official specifications confirm a Free Spins game, although the public product page has not yet published complete triggering and retrigger rules.

Can I play Chicago Gold 2 on mobile?

Yes. PearFiction lists desktop, smartphone and tablet support with dynamic scaling.

When is Chicago Gold 2 released?

PearFiction’s official release date is 7 September 2026. Some demo sites and casino catalogues have already indexed or previewed the game before that date.

Is Chicago Gold 2 worth playing for real money?

That depends on personal preference and local availability. Its high volatility, layered Collect mechanics and expanding bonus grid should appeal to players who enjoy feature-rich slots. Real-money gambling carries financial risk, however, and should only be undertaken by adults through appropriately licensed operators using money they can afford to lose.