In the latest edition of Slot Selection, Gambling TV’s Ellie Lynch rounded up the best titles in the iGaming sector from this week, in collaboration with SlotBeats.
Starting the proceedings is Viking Runes from TrueLab, in partnership with Yggdrasil, where cluster paylines can lead to players winning up to 25,000x their stake if six or more symbols are landed in a cluster, whilst Lightning Wilds can hit the reels at any time.
Stuart McCarthy, head of partner programs at Yggdrasil, said: “Viking Runes is yet another innovative addition to our YG Masters arsenal with an exciting theme true to our roots.
“With cascading wins, plenty of features and a thrilling theme, it adds a fantastic new dynamic to the portfolio.”
An additional feature is the Runic Shuffle, which can grant players a win by rearranging the symbols. The Viking Sorcery feature can be triggered per cascade and add up to nine Wilds on the reels, whilst the Spell of Ancestors can also transform all low-paying symbols into the Red Rune, potentially boosting cash payouts.
Vasily Polynov, chief business development officer at TrueLab, added: “We’re delighted to unveil Viking Runes, our latest hit through the YG Masters program.
“With staggering win potential, triggerable features on every cascade and an immersive landscape, this is a title that will appeal to all slot lovers looking for a thrilling and exciting experience.”
This week’s second choice is Pragmatic Play’s Temujin Treasures, inspired by Mongolian warrior Gehnghis Khan, and featuring a Wheel of Fortune containing Jackpots, Multipliers and Free Spins.
If five or more of the same symbols are landed on the middle of the five reels, they are transformed into Wilds and trigger the Wild Switch Feature. Payouts are then decided by the new Wilds which replace old symbols.
Yossi Barzely, chief business development officer at Pragmatic Play, explained: “Taking inspiration from the Mongol Empire and its great leader Genghis Khan, our latest release puts an elegant twist on a ruthless chapter of world history.
“Introducing a host of fascinating bonus features that could lead to big wins, Temujin Treasures provides players with an experience that they will not be able to find anywhere else.”
Next up is Wheel of Amp, the latest 3×3 video slot release from Red Tiger, with 25 paylines and the potential to expand to a 5×5 grid.
Containing a Free Spins segment, players can gain 10 free spins, and the Wheel of Amp can be activated in the same manner as in the base game. The game will grant five additional spins if triggered with the round.
During the Free Spins mode, the Wheel of Amp’s WIn Booster multiplier doesn’t reset following a Win. Additionally, the multiplier applies to every Free Spin win for the duration of the feature and also to first win following it.
Only a 10x Win Boost multiplier is offered initially, but as players progress through the game more Win Multipliers can be unlocked in place of the Step Change segments. There are eight Step Change segments, and four will unlock a high paying symbol and the other four will expand a slot. If a player secures a Step Change segment, it will be replaced by a Win Boost multiplier on future spins.
Finally, claiming SlotBeats’ Slot of the Week is Monopoly Utility Trails, a production from Scientific Games, in cooperation with Hasbro.
The 8×7 cluster pays slot includes a number of features based around the hit board game, including a Water Works Spin Streak, Community chest and Wild Rails Expanding Wilds.
Wild symbols substitute for all other symbols except for the Electric Company Bulb and the Water Works tap, and if a Wild has not been used it will remain on the board during the cascade until the spin is completed. If the entire board is filled with Wilds, the player wins the Off The Rails Jackpot.
Rob Procter, content specialist director, digital at Scientific Games, said: “Monopoly remains one of the most popular game brands in the world and we thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Hasbro in delivering this innovative new title.
“Our OpenGaming proposition really springs to life with the Monopoly brand, and Monopoly Utility Trails typifies everything we are about in terms of game releases this year. Our in-house team has produced a slot that has a great front end, striking artwork and as ever, a strong set of responsible gaming features.
“The Cluster pays mechanic has great potential and this is a slot we are certain will be enjoyed by players seeking a new, feature-rich experience that builds on the success of a timeless classic.”
Mark Blecher, SVP corporate strategy and business affairs at Hasbro, commented: “Our long experience partnering with Scientific Games has shown us that this is a company dedicated to producing gaming entertainment that pushes the boundaries while staying faithful to our iconic brands.
“The Monopoly brand is the most iconic of all and it’s a delight for us to see a cherished brand globally inspire such an innovative gaming experience that we are sure players will love.”
