The "Age of the Gods" series from Playtech has been a staple in online slots for years, with its blend of mythology and exciting gameplay. The latest installment, "Wheels of Olympus", brings us back to ancient Greece, where we’ll explore the fascinating world of gods and goddesses. In Age of the Gods: Wheels of Olympus available at ageofthegodswheelsofolympusdemo this review, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of "Age of the Gods: Wheels of Olympus" to give you a comprehensive understanding of what this slot has to offer.
Theme and Design
As its title suggests, "Wheels of Olympus" takes us back in time to ancient Greece, specifically Mount Olympus, home to the gods. The game’s visuals are stunningly rendered with intricate details, transporting players into an epic world of mythological creatures and legendary heroes. With each spin, the reels come alive as Zeus’ lightning bolts illuminate the screen, while gentle orchestral music adds a touch of sophistication.
Symbols
The "Wheels of Olympus" slot boasts an impressive selection of symbols that reflect its theme. On the higher-paying side, we find four prominent gods: Poseidon (x250), Athena (x200), Hades (x150), and Zeus (x100). Joining them are two lesser-known deities: Pan (x50) and Aphrodite (x40). These high-paying symbols make up a third of the total symbol count, with 20 standard icons scattered throughout. As is common in slots, the lower-value symbols include playing card faces from 9 to A.
Payouts
Each winning combination is made possible by landing three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels (from left to right). The paytable shows the top-paying combinations for each symbol:
- Poseidon: x250 (5 of a kind)
- Athena: x200 (5 of a kind)
- Hades: x150 (5 of a kind)
- Zeus: x100 (5 of a kind)
- Pan: x50 (5 of a kind)
- Aphrodite: x40 (5 of a kind)
Wilds and Scatters
The game’s Wild is represented by the Wheel of Fortune, which can replace all regular symbols to form winning combinations. The Scatter symbol, however, is more nuanced; it’s depicted as Zeus’ throne and triggers free spins when three or more land on the reels.
Bonus Features
While there isn’t a dedicated bonus round in "Wheels of Olympus", we find that its mechanics are quite advanced for an online slot:
- Jackpot Bonus : A progressive jackpot is available, with four tiers:
- Mini: x500
- Minor: x2,000
- Major: x10,000
- Mega: x50,000 To trigger the Jackpot Bonus, players need to land three Zeus Wilds on the reels. If successful, they’ll receive a guaranteed jackpot.
- Wheels of Fortune Free Spins : Scatters can be triggered by landing 3-5 Zeus’ Thrones. Depending on their number:
- Three: 10 free spins and x1 multiplier
- Four: 20 free spins and x2 multiplier
- Five: 30 free spins and x4 multiplier
Free Spins
In addition to the Wheels of Fortune Free Spins, players can also participate in a separate feature called "Age of the Gods Bonus". This is triggered when three or more Hades’ symbols appear on the reels.
- Age of the Gods Bonus : Awarded for landing 3-5 Hades’ symbols. Depending on their number:
- Three: x10
- Four: x50
- Five: x200
RTP, Volatility, and Betting Range
The Return to Player (RTP) is set at a respectable 95% or above in certain jurisdictions.
Volatility : Playtech categorizes "Wheels of Olympus" as High-Med Medium variance. While not overly aggressive on wins, it’s designed to provide steady returns with larger stakes.
- Betting Range : Players can adjust their bets from €0.10 up to €50.00 per spin. This modest range will appeal to low- and medium-stakes players.
Max Win
The maximum win potential is not explicitly stated in the game; however, as we’ve seen earlier, it’s possible to hit a progressive jackpot of x50,000 or even more through the Jackpot Bonus feature!
Gameplay
Gameplay feels fluid and responsive, thanks to the engine used by Playtech. The control buttons are placed at an optimal spot on either side of the reels for easy navigation during gameplay.
Mobile Compatibility
"Age of the Gods: Wheels of Olympus" has been optimized to run smoothly across devices using Android or iOS. The layout remains largely unchanged, adapting well to smaller screens without sacrificing any essential features or details.
Player Experience
Upon launching "Wheels of Olympus", it’s clear that Playtech aimed for a more immersive experience rather than prioritizing profit potential. While we might feel the hit rates are moderate compared to other high-volatility slots, this slot offers something else entirely: an engaging story, striking visuals, and rewarding bonus rounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Age of the Gods: Wheels of Olympus" presents a unique take on classical Greek mythology that stands out from its contemporaries in terms of theme execution. Its game mechanics may not be as innovative or aggressive on wins but are instead well-balanced to provide an engaging experience for players seeking a medium-to-high variance slot.
Overall Analysis
While offering no spectacular surprises, "Wheels of Olympus" holds its own through sheer aesthetic appeal and rich features that complement the mythological story. A recommended option for those who appreciate deep slots with a high level of polish – certainly one to consider in the vast world of online slots!
The slot presents itself as an engaging way to explore Greek mythology without resorting to rehashed ideas, taking advantage of its distinctive visuals to tell an epic tale.
From the intricately rendered Mount Olympus environment and charming animated sequences to satisfying gameplay experiences through progressive jackpots and extensive free spins modes – this Playtech original is sure not to let its players down!
Each player will have a distinct experience due to varying tastes; however, in this review we aimed at exploring its full capabilities in all aspects.
The slot offers opportunities for substantial payouts when the bonus rounds trigger, combining an accessible betting range and rewarding features that make it suitable even for low-stakes players.