Beware of Bear Slot Review
SlotTribe 250 Spin Test – Date: 7 November 2026 – Result: -69.60 – Bonuses: 1 – Biggest Win: 25x
Overview
Beware of Bear is Thunderkick’s latest woodland release and it’s built around one feature more than anything else. Expanding wilds. The slot runs on a 6×4 layout with 20 fixed paylines and spends most of its time trying to build bigger and bigger setups through Wild Swipe Respins and escalating multipliers.
Everything about Beware of Bear feels like it’s leading towards a big hit. Wilds expand, multipliers grow and the reels start looking increasingly dangerous. It’s the sort of slot that constantly makes you think the next feature could be the one. Whether it actually delivers is another story.
SlotTribe Test Results to 1.00 Stake
100 Spins Profit/Loss: -14.50
250 Spins Profit/Loss: -69.60
Bonus Frequency: 1
Volatility Feel: High volatility with plenty of promise and not much payoff
Mick’s Take
It’s all about the expanding wild feature. When it lands, you don’t want a win straight away because it keeps adding expanding wilds and multipliers until it finally connects, so the potential for big wins is definitely there. I just never saw any of them. The best wins from the feature were 15x, 16x, 17x and 18x. Free Spins landed once on spin 131 and that only paid 25x.
RTP, Provider & Release Date
RTP: 94.29%
Provider: Thunderkick
Release Date: 2 December 2026
Max Win: 10,000x
Gameplay & Features
Jar of Honey Wilds
Jar of Honey Wilds substitute for all regular paying symbols and help complete winning combinations across the reels.
Beehive Wilds
Beehive Wilds are the engine behind the slot.
When they land, they expand into full wild reels and create the setups needed for the game’s bigger wins.
Wild Swipe Respins
If a Beehive Wild expands without creating a win, Wild Swipe Respins begin.
The wild reel remains locked while additional reels are gradually turned into wild reels until a winning combination eventually lands.
Escalating Multipliers
As Wild Swipe Respins continue, multipliers keep increasing.
The longer the feature survives without paying, the bigger the potential payout becomes.
Free Spins
Three scatters trigger 10 Free Spins.
The expanding wild and Wild Swipe mechanics remain active throughout the feature.
Anger Meter
The Anger Meter becomes active during Free Spins.
As it builds, multipliers become stronger and additional spins can be awarded.
Volatility & Behaviour
Beware of Bear is a tease.
Mick’s Take highlights exactly why. The expanding wild feature keeps building, multipliers keep climbing and the reels constantly look like they’re setting up for something decent. It gives the impression that a proper win is always just one swipe away.
During my session, it never arrived.
The slot wasn’t dead. Features were landing, wilds were expanding and things were happening. The problem was the payouts never matched the excitement the setup created. Even the only Free Spins bonus of the test managed just 25x.
It’s the sort of slot that keeps you interested because you can see the potential sitting right in front of you. Unfortunately, potential and payouts are two different things.
Graphics & Sound
Thunderkick has nailed the presentation.
The angry bear animations are great, the campsite theme has plenty of character and the Wild Swipe feature looks excellent when it gets going. It’s easy to follow, easy to understand and has far more personality than most generic woodland-themed slots.
What It Does Well
Interesting expanding wild feature
Wild Swipe Respins build anticipation
Growing multipliers create potential
Strong presentation
Loads of character
Easy mechanics
What It Does Badly
Feature wins felt too small
Bonus underperformed
Can be frustrating
Potential doesn’t always convert
Finished heavily down
Who It’s For
Players who enjoy:
Thunderkick slots
Expanding wild reels
Respin features
Growing multipliers
High volatility
Feature-driven gameplay
SlotTribe Verdict
Beware of Bear spent 250 spins convincing me a big win was coming. Mick’s Take shows exactly where the frustration comes from. The expanding wild feature is genuinely interesting, the multipliers keep building and the setups often look far more dangerous than the payouts they eventually produce. The best wins from the feature were only 15x, 16x, 17x and 18x, while the only Free Spins bonus paid a disappointing 25x. Plenty of promise. Not much payout.
