Vikings Slot Machine
Are you captivated by the acclaimed television series Vikings? If so, prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey alongside the intrepid warriors Ragnar Lothbrok and Lagertha as they spin the reels of this NetEnt slot. In February 2018, the Swedish gaming giant forged a licensing agreement to create an online slot inspired by the Norse themes prevalent in the show. The outcome is nothing less than extraordinary.
The Vikings slot features 243 ways to win, which magnificently expands to an astonishing 78,125 ways during the Raid Free Spins, with the potential for players to win 10,000 times their stake in a single spin. But that's not all; there's also a randomly activated Shield Wall feature and a Hot Spot area that awards unpredictable wins, enhancing the thrill of the game.
The Warrior’s Slot Reels
How can one possibly capture the essence of such a beloved TV show? Anything short of perfection would surely disappoint the legions of existing fans and newcomers alike. However, NetEnt rose to the occasion. They meticulously crafted a Norse-themed video slot that boasts breathtaking graphics, fluid animations, and an expandable game interface that transforms into a 5x7 grid during the Raid Spins.
In the base game, the backdrop depicts a shoreline where the Vikings have made landfall to initiate their raids. Their formidable longship can be seen anchored just offshore, visible through the translucent reels. A battle standard situated to the left hints at their arrival at dawn, concealed by a swirling mist. The heroic figures of Ragnar Lothbrok and the fierce shieldmaiden Lagertha feature prominently on the reels as impressive stacked symbols. An atmospheric, suspenseful soundtrack enhances the gameplay, perfectly synced with the reels' movements.
When the Raid Spins feature is activated, the setting shifts to a scorched battlefield, the aftermath of a fierce conflict. The Viking banner displayed to the left signals their triumph, as they now set their sights on looting the newfound territory. The soundscape pulsates with the echoes of battle; the cries of the Vikings and the sound of arrows ricocheting off shields create an immersive experience that draws players right into the heart of the action.
The Vikings video slot includes 10 intricately designed pay symbols along with a single scatter, all reflecting a distinctive Norse aesthetic. These symbols can appear both as individual icons or stacked combinations. The lower-value symbols range from standard 10s to Aces, whereas the high-value symbols are represented by three different images of Ragnar Lothbrok and one of Lagertha. The premium symbol that pays the most is the striking gold 'V' symbol. Scatters appear as vibrant blue and red shields emblazoned with 'Raid Spins'. Notably, there are no wild symbols or additional bonus icons on the reels.
The Viking Numbers and Stats
Vikings is structured as a video slot featuring five reels, three rows, and 243 ways to win. During the Raid Spins, the game expands to five reels, seven rows, and a remarkable 78,125 winning combinations. The game is packed with features, such as Hot Spot areas that generate random payouts, a randomly triggered Shield Wall, and the expanded Raid Free Spins. This medium-high variance game has a return-to-player (RTP) rate set at 96.05%. Built using HTML5 technology, it’s compatible across desktops, mobiles, and tablets, working seamlessly on all operating systems. Players can opt for AutoPlay, allowing for between 10 to 1000 uninterrupted spins, with options on when to halt the spin cycle.
Players eager to join the Vikings on their adventures can wager between 0.20 to 200 coins. Wins from a single five-of-a-kind combination range from 0.5 to 2.5 times the initial bet. Within the Raid Spins and the expanded game interface, it's indeed possible to achieve seven of a kind, yielding wins from 1x to a whopping 3.5x the bet. The maximum payout for a single spin can surge to a staggering 200,000 coins, equal to 10,000 times the player's original stake.
The Random Shield Wall Feature
This feature can trigger at random during any spin in both the base game and the Raid Spins. In the base game, a shield wall sized 3x2 or 5x2 may randomly materialize on the reels, unveiling either a common character symbol or the coveted gold 'V' symbol. In the Raid Spins, this feature may activate after a winning spin's payout or even after a failed spin, but it cannot occur when the Hot Spot is engaged. The shield wall increases in size to encompass either a 4x2, 5x2, or 5x3 configuration, with winnings calculated after the revealed symbol. However, triggering this feature is disallowed during spins that have already activated the Hot Spot or the Raid Spins.
Hot Spot Areas and Scatter Pays
The Hot Spot feature is accessible in both the base game and during Raid Spins. In the base game, only the third reel is designated as the Hot Spot area, marked visibly during every spin. But when the Raid Spins come into play, this area expands to include the central positions on reels three, four, and five.
The Hot Spot feature activates when one of the four central character symbols lands fully stacked within the Hot Spot area. All other character symbols on the reels transform into the triggering character, while payouts are issued based on the total number of symbols that appear. In the base game, wins can range from 0.33x to a max of 243x the total bet for about three to 15 symbols. During the Raid Spins with the broader window, the symbol count can reach up to 27, delivering the highest win potential of 10,000x the total bet.
The Raid Spins Feature
Landing shield scatters on reels three, four, and five in a single spin will trigger seven Raid Spins, which cannot be retriggered. The game window expands to the 5x7 format with 78,125 ways to win, and the Hot Spot area also broadens to encompass the middle three positions in reels three, four, and five—enhancing the likelihood of activating the Hot Spot feature. This bonus is played with a unique reel set, where low-value symbols can appear stacked up to five symbols high, with premium symbols maintaining the same formation as seen in the base game.
The random Shield Wall feature can also be activated during Raid Spins—either following a winning payout or after a loss, but never while the Hot Spot is engaged. The shield wall's size increases to 4x2, 5x2, or 5x3, presenting immense win opportunities. Undoubtedly, this presents an optimal moment for players to achieve those monumental wins that can reach up to 10,000 times their wager.
Other Viking Warrior Reels
Norse warriors frequently grace video slots, as their epic legends and famed raids provide rich inspiration for thrilling gameplay. Some outstanding examples include Vikings Go Berzerk from Yggdrasil Gaming and Thunderstruck 2 from Microgaming.
The Verdict of a Reel Warrior
This slot is truly a masterpiece. NetEnt has dug deep into their creative reserves to deliver a phenomenal game that not only packs in oodles of action and features on the reels but also comes with unparalleled winning potential. After all, who could resist the allure of snagging a payday worth 10,000 times their original bet?
While this slot leans towards high variance, the presence of random features and scattered winnings ensures a prolonged gaming experience. Gear up for massive wins during the Raid Spins featuring that expansive game window with a staggering 78,125 winning possibilities. Are you ready to embrace your inner Viking?
