Finn and the Swirly Spin Slots
Sure, traditional five-reel online slots have their charm, but we really appreciate developers who take a bold approach to innovate gameplay. Recently, a bunch of games have started embracing cluster pay mechanics, where prizes are awarded for groups of matching symbols scattered across the screen. However, there’s so much potential in this match-three concept, and we’re eager for more creators to dive into this exciting area.
One of the latest titles experimenting with this concept is Finn and the Swirly Spin by NetEnt. While it showcases classic themes and charming graphics, there’s much more beneath the surface. The swirling design of the reels plays a vital role, building suspense as each cascading match moves players closer to triggering a fantastic free spins feature.
An Irish Twist
Finn and the Swirly Spin video slot is the newest addition from NetEnt, and it can be found at online casinos offering NetEnt software . This slot brings the luck of the Irish to life, featuring our hero Finn strumming traditional music against a backdrop of Ireland's rolling hills. The visuals are cartoonish and vibrant, making it an inviting and engaging game, enhanced by lively animations that breathe spirit into the design.
If you've ever played a NetEnt game before , you likely know their titles are designed in HTML5, ensuring they're optimized for mobile devices right out of the gate. This means you can enjoy gaming on smartphones, tablets, and desktop systems alike. Players have the flexibility to select from various coin denominations and betting levels, catering to both high rollers and more cautious gamblers. Plus, you can also try it out for free.
Three of a Kind
Unlike typical slots that feature standard reels and paylines, Finn and the Swirly Spin operates on a 5x5 grid, allowing wins to occur both horizontally and vertically. Any three matching symbols aligned in a row will grant you a payout, no matter where these symbols appear on the grid. The larger the combinations, the bigger the rewards; however, it’s not a traditional cluster pays setup, meaning larger groups of matching symbols won’t contribute to a single win; each three-symbol line counts separately.
The game offers six different payout types, many of which boast a rustic aesthetic. The lower-value symbols feature stone shovels and wooden hearts, while items like clovers, acorns, and horseshoes can reap greater rewards. The highest payouts come from hefty rubies; lining up five can reward you with 500 coins, multiplied by your bet.
Swirling Towards the Middle
Whenever you score a win, the resulting icons will vanish from the grid, causing all remaining symbols to 'swirl' towards the center. A spiral pattern governs how this animation unfolds: new symbols appear from the bottom left and travel clockwise, completing a full rotation before taking an inner path toward the center. Additionally, every normal win generates a star; these wild symbols can substitute for others to form winning combinations. Wins that include a wild don’t create a new star, but the existing stars will explode, clearing adjacent symbols. Once all animations conclude, new symbols fill in the board once again.
This mechanism is crucial as clearing the board is key to accessing the free spins feature. At the onset of every spin, a frozen key appears in the bottom-left corner. Although it cannot be matched with other symbols, it serves a significant purpose. If it reaches the keyhole at the center, it will elevate Finn into the enchanting realm of free spins.
An Enviable Choice
Upon entering the free spins round, you will be given a choice among several features. However, initially, only one option is accessible. Additional features can be unlocked as you activate the bonus multiple times during your gameplay session. Once a feature is available, you can select it anytime – there's no need to 'spend' your keys each time.
There are four exciting free spins features to choose from:
- The Star Bar: This is the starting option available to players. You’ll receive 7 free spins, with two or more wild stars automatically added to the reels at the beginning of each spin, guaranteeing a win every time.
- The Lava Lair: To unlock this feature, you need four keys. It grants three free spins where regular wilds transform into sticky wilds, and the Dragon Destroy feature is always active, tearing apart symbols to create a win if your initial spin doesn’t yield a prize.
- The Lucky Mug: Requires nine keys and awards four free spins. When no win occurs, the Irish Luck feature triggers, ensuring a full line of one symbol to secure a substantial win.
- Golden Pot: Accessible only with 16 keys, this feature may seem modest with just two free spins. However, all heart and spade symbols will morph into higher-paying icons through the Magic Transform feature, likely leading to impressive payouts for players.
All features in these bonus rounds can also randomly trigger during a standard spin.
Luck of the Irish
For fans of Irish-themed slots or anyone craving something unique to liven up their spinning experience, Finn and the Swirly Spin is a must-try. This spiral pattern is a fresh twist for online slots, and the way it influences gameplay while maintaining straightforward win tracking ensures that each round remains thrilling until the conclusion. With rich features and the potential for significant payouts, we believe many players will want to spin alongside Finn.
We were highly impressed with the Finn and the Swirly Spin slot, earning it a spot in our Top 3 of best Irish-themed slots online for 2023 !