Starburst Review

Theme and Story Line

Starburst does not appear to have much in the way of story or theme. The symbols are slot machine staples: lucky sevens, bar symbols, and a selection of gems.

The background suggests a night sky or outer space. It is all very bright and upbeat.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The tone of the slot machine is very cheerful, the electronic soundtrack is a little drifty. The background is animated with gently drifting stars and the symbols on the reels seem to hang in a purple space-like void.

The visuals are all very high def, so much that they can slow your browser a bit as if the software is struggling to keep up.

The design is full of little details, gem symbols are all animated to twinkle, and you can scroll over the winlines to make them visible.

This is something we've come to expect from NetEnt slots, as most of their games have amazing visuals and animations that many players enjoy. There are plenty of exciting games to choose from, and if you are on the lookout for more, just head over to our game section or visit DogSlots that also offer a nice collection of free NetEnt titles for you to try out.

Gameplay

There are technically ten winlines. You can play as many lines from one to ten as you please, according your personal taste. It is worth noting that unlike most games the winlines read both right to left and left to right. This means you can win with combos that start in either reel one or reel five.

This significantly increases your chance of hitting a payout, but obviously will not affect the stated RTP of 96.1% and you can only win once per winline.

The high quality graphics and interface definitely add to the experience making the gameplay more immersive, smooth and fun that it might otherwise have been.

The reels are also stacked so that several symbols can fall at once, making combo wins much more likely.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

Starburst uses a special Wild symbol as its bonus trigger. In place of a bonus game or free spins the Wild symbol triggers the following sequence:

When the wild symbol hits on a reel, that reel is frozen and wild symbol expands to the whole reel.

Once the payouts for that spin are complete, then a free spin begins with the wild reels remaining fixed. As a result you are allowed to win twice with all Wild reels. If you hit any further Wilds they trigger a further free spin with all the Wild reels still locked in place.

The Wild symbols only appear on reels two, three and four and their frequency does not change during the free spin.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The RTP of Starburst is 96.1% according to the design team.

The both-way winlines and stacked symbols make for regular small wins, generating relatively low volatility.

There is a massive range of possible bet sizes running from €/£/$0.01 to €/£/$100. The three different controls for deciding the amount per spin coin value (€/£/$ value per coin), lines (number of lines) and the additional setting of level (number of coins per line) give you a great deal of control over exactly what value you want to bet each spin.

There is a maximum payout per spin of 50,000 coins, though obviously such large wins will be very rare.

Conclusion

Starburst is a very attractive game to look at and it comes with some interesting variations with its frozen Wild symbol bonus and its both-way winlines.

We like many aspects of this game, the simple clean gameplay design in particular.

Unfortunately, the average RTP and low volatility make it more suitable for casual slot players. Our strategies work better with high volatility games.

Wanted Dead or a Wild review

Theme and Storyline

Wanted Dead or a Wild has a dark Western theme.

An orange sunset burns in the distance and players face a spooky Western landscape. In this gritty world, they’ll need whiskey, bullets, and a little luck to get by.

This slot is a good pick for Western lovers who are ready to walk a more mysterious road. Cowboys and outlaws alike will need to be up for adventure on this dark frontier.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The slow-burn soundtrack brings to mind a cowboy riding out to meet a villain. The music manages to be unobtrusive, even as it adds tension, though the loop is quite short.

The animation style has a grainy quality that brings to mind a graphic novel or classic comic book. Players will feel as if the reels might make their fingers blackened with ink.

The symbols include bull skulls, bags of cash, and bottles of whiskey. They seem like everything a rugged cowboy or bandit would need to stay ahead of the law.

Behind the reels is a bloody sunset silhouetting crooked trees and a barbed wire fence. Players will be left with no doubt that this is a rougher Wild West than they’re used to.

Gameplay

Wanted Dead or a Wild is a five reel, five row slot, with 15 win lines.

The gameplay has a fast pace, ensuring that players will remain engaged.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

The Wild symbol substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus symbols and the VS symbols.

VS symbols will expand to cover the reel whenever their expansion will lead to a win. Players will then see two outlaws with different multipliers. This pair will duel, and the reel will also transform into Wilds and the winner’s multiplier will be applied to the reel. The outlaw’s multipliers will be between x2 and x100.

Should players land one VS symbol on each reel, then all the reels will become fully Wild.

When players land 3 or more of the Duel symbols, the Duel at Dawn Bonus feature will begin, starting with 10 free spins.

The Great Train Robbery feature is triggered when players land 3 or more Train Robbery symbols. During this feature players will have 10 free spins and all Wild symbols will be sticky.

The Dead Man’s Hand feature is triggered when players land 3 or more Dead symbols. During this, players accumulate Wilds and multipliers to be later applied to winnings.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The return to player of this game is 96.38%, above our yardstick for average of roughly 96%. The RTP in Bonus features is slightly different.

The range of bets on the site we tested ran from a minimum bet per spin of $/£/€0.20 up to a maximum of $/£/€100 per spin.

The volatility of this game is high, which makes it a good match for our preferred slot machine strategies. Our slot strategies target the highest possible volatility.

Conclusion

We recommend this high RTP, high volatility, dark Western slot.

The unique aesthetic and grittier take on the Western theme make the world of Wanted Dead or Wild interesting to visit.

The high volatility and respectable RTP also make this slot a strong choice for strategy-minded players, while the plethora of themed-bonus options ensure the gameplay stays novel and fun.

Sweet Bonanza review

Theme and Storyline

Set in a whimsical wonderland, this game is themed around fruity candies.

The sugary symbols are stacked against a cheerful blue sky. Players will gather grapes, bananas, plums, hard candies, and lollipops.

Players will feel like they are in a child’s dreamland with all the goodies they can eat.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The dream pastel hues of the backdrop create a calming mood for this game. Players will see iced desserts, candies, and swirls of ice cream. Meanwhile, fluffy white clouds drift through the sunny sky.

This fantasy world brings to mind the Land of the Sweets from the Nutcracker. It seems to be a carefree place where joy and fun reign.

The symbols take on the form of different fruits and candies. The fruits in particular are animated in a mouthwatering way and the sweets look like jewels. The design brings to mind classic fruit-themed slot machines from old school casinos.

The music is filled with tinkling bells and chiming notes. This feels on brand for the fantasyland environment. However, the tone can become grating and some players may wish to play with the sound off.

Sweet Bonanza Gameplay

Sweet Bonanza is a six reel, five row slot.

Wins are awarded based on the number of each symbol on the screen after a spin. The amount awarded depends on the number of the given symbols and the value of the symbol.

This game uses a cascade feature, which means that after each win the winning symbols disappear. The symbols that remain drop down and finally the empty positions are filled by new symbols rolling in. Players have no limit on the number of cascades.

The Ante Bet option increases the player’s bet per spin, and in return the number of Scatters on the reel increases.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins in Sweet Bonanza

There is no Wild symbol.

The Scatter symbol may appear on any reel and pays in any position.

When 4 or more Scatter symbols land anywhere on the reels, the Free Spins Feature begins. The Free Spins Round may also be purchased. The round begins with 10 free spins, which are increased by an additional 5 spins if 3 or more Scatters land during the round.

The Multiplier symbol only appears on the reels during free spins. Whenever it lands, it remains on the reels to the end of a cascade series. Players will benefit from its random multiplier value (this will be between x2 and x100).

At the conclusion of the cascades, the value of every multiplier symbol is added together and applied to the player’s total win.

Sweet Bonanza Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The return to player of this game is 96.51%, above our yardstick for average of roughly 96%.

The range of bets on the site we tested ran from a minimum bet per spin of $/£/€0.20 up to a maximum of $/£/€100 per spin.

The volatility of this game is medium, which makes it a less ideal match for our preferred slot machine strategies. Our slot strategies target the highest possible volatility.

Conclusion

We recommend this high RTP, medium volatility candy-themed slot.

Despite the middling volatility, the high RTP and dreamy atmosphere make this game a fun choice.

The cascades, free spins, and multipliers make the gameplay exciting and keeps an engaging hold on players’ attention.

Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead review

Theme and Storyline

In this incarnation of the endless Book of Ra imitations, the player is presented with a main character who is no longer a copyright dodging rip off of movie hero Indiana Jones. Instead, the hero, Rich Wilde, is a rip off of computer game hero Nathan Drake.

Beyond that, the formula is much the same – Ancient Egyptian grave setting, hieroglyphics and sarcophaguses on the reels – with updated graphics and bit more gloss on everything. If you have enjoyed the Book of Ra slot and its many imitators before, then you will find nothing to surprise you in Book of Dead.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The graphics are more or less the same as the older games, with a higher resolution and a bit more polish on the artwork being the main upgrades.

The sound effects and music have also been lifted from the old Play’n’Go standard skin, but given a little upgrade in sound quality and complexity. The music does a fair job of setting up a desert atmosphere for the player, but very little else is as well-tailored in the sound effects.

The animations are serviceable, but again are the generic Play’n’Go animations with only the font changed. They lack the Egyptian or adventure movie flare that would hold the game together.

Gameplay

Book of Dead has a base game and a free spin bonus. Both are played on a five reel slot with three rows and ten configurable win lines. You can set the game to any number between 1 and all 10 lines.

The base game has very few other features, but does sport a gamble feature for those who want to crank the volatility of this slot up even further.

Overall, Book of Dead feels like a very standard slot, not doing a lot of different things but doing what it does competently.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

Among all the hieroglyphs on the reels, one stands out as special: the Book symbols acts as both a wild symbol and as a scatter.

As a wild, the Book symbol substitutes for all other symbols. While as a scatter, the Book symbol pays out from anywhere on the reels, regardless of whether it is on a winline or not.

Three Books will pay out twice your bet per spin, four will pay out twenty times your bet per spin, and five symbols gets you two hundred times your bet per spin. This is on top of any winlines it is part of as a Wild.

Three or more Books will also trigger ten free spins. During the free spins, a symbol is chosen to expand on any reel where it will result in an additional win. While regular symbols must run left to right starting from reel one, the expanding symbol can appear anywhere on a win line to produce a win.

Free spins can be retriggered by hitting three or more Scatters during the free spins, effectively adding another ten spins to your remaining spin counter.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The return to player of this game is 96.21%. This is within the bracket of roughly 96% that we use as our yardstick for average.

The range of bets on the site we tested ran from a minimum bet per spin of $/£/€0.01 if you play just one line or $/£/€0.10 if you play all ten. The maximum bet on the site we tested was $/£/€100.00 per spin.

The volatility of this game is as great as the pyramids at Giza; Play’n’GO rate it as 10/10 the highest level of volatility they produce. This ultra-high volatility makes this slot an excellent match for our preferred slot machine strategies.

Conclusion

Book of Dead is one of the most popular slots out there. This is largely because it evokes popular culture figures in a recognisable setting, and does a similar but slicker job than its direct competitor Book of Ra, which is something of a classic.

On top of these solid fundamentals, we like it for its high volatility and decent return to player. Both features make it a good match for our slot strategies.

We strongly recommend this one.

Book of Shadows review

Theme and Storyline

This slot has a gothic horror theme.

Set in misty haunted woods, this game is filled with eerie characters and mystic symbols. Players will feel like they’ve entered a world of Halloween intrigue as they collect strange artifacts.

Despite the spooky mood, the atmosphere still feels playful in this ghostly forest. Players will enjoy leaning into their inner goth as they take part in the supernatural adventure.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The tension-inducing soundtrack is filled with creepily tinkling bells. Wolf howls and owl hoots occasionally punctuate the music, adding to the feeling that players are lost in a mysterious forest.

Symbols such as an eyeball in a bottle and an emblematic moth suggest the ingredients for magic potions. Meanwhile, a sprightly cat swishes its tail right out its reel like a tiny whip.

Most iconic, though, is a pale-eyed girl with black tears streaming down her face. She seems to know more than she’s letting on as she mischievously smirks.

The gently flowing mist in the background makes the atmosphere immersive and gives the uneasy feeling that it won’t be easy to find a way out of these woods.

Gameplay

Book of Shadows is a five reel slot with between three and five rows depending on players’ preference. The top two rows are kept under shadows unless the player ups their bet to unveil them.

The game has up to 20 win lines depending on how many rows players opt to play with.

Players will have the option to use one of two gamble options, the first of which works like a double or nothing game. The second is a wheel of fortune-style game in which players can win free spins.

At the end of a spin, players have the option to pay extra to lock one or more of the reels in place for their next spin.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

The Wild symbol substitutes for all symbols. It also functions as a Scatter symbol, triggering the Free Spin Bonus when 3 or more land anywhere on the reels.

Players start the Free Spin Bonus with 10 free spins.

While in the Free Spins feature, a symbol is selected at random to become an expanding symbol. During the free spins, this symbol expands to fill the reel whenever it lands.

The Free Spin Bonus can be retriggered.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The return to player of this game is 96.01%, almost exactly our yardstick for average of roughly 96%.

The range of bets on the site we tested ran from a minimum bet per spin of $/£/€0.10 up to a maximum of $/£/€100 per spin if the player has three rows active. The maximum bet can go as high as $/£/€200 per spin if the player has all five rows active.

The volatility of this game is high, which makes it a good match for our preferred slot machine strategies. Our slot strategies target the highest possible volatility.

Conclusion

We recommend this medium RTP, high volatility gothic-themed slot. The engrossing atmosphere and playful animation makes this game an entertaining experience.

It is no surprise that this game has achieved high popularity with its varied bonus options and engaging gameplay.

Many players will enjoy the great degree of control they have over their gameplay experience with this slot's many customisable features.

Players vying for optimised winnings may wish to move on to games with somewhat higher RTPs, but even they will enjoy a stop in this haunted world.

Razor Shark review

Theme and Storyline

Razor Shark is set in a whimsical underwater world.

The atmosphere will remind players of Finding Nemo and each character has a unique personality. The friendly ocean scene makes for a lighthearted background.

The colourful predators range from adorable to playfully terrifying. The abandoned diving gear in some symbols suggest that this is not the first time the sharks have encountered an intruder. Despite this drama, the player will feel like a happy ending is in store.

Despite their ferocious teeth, the sharks of this slot actually make delightful hosts.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

The background music has the vibe of a Caribbean beach party. The reels spin with a satisfying swish of water and an ominous note that seems fresh off the iconic Jaws soundtrack. The combination of fun and fear is right on theme for this slot.

The brightly hued reef background is beautifully animated with a subtle waver to create the effect of being underwater. The angelfish and clownfish watching the game add a cute final touch.

Bonuses send the player into the dark deep sea in a swath of bubbles. In these darker waters, a dimly glowing fish swims beside a haunting shipwreck. This creates a moody setting for the bonus spins and creates some fun variety.

Gameplay

Razor Shark is a five reel, four row slot, with twenty win lines.

The Mystery Stacks feature consists of four symbols in a stack that may land anywhere on a reel. The Nudge and Reveal Feature is triggered when the Mystery Stack lands. This prompts the Mystery Stacks to open and show either Golden Shark Symbols or Paying Symbols.

The Razor Reveal Feature begins whenever a Mystery Stack unveils the Golden Shark symbols. This feature prompts every symbol position of the Mystery Stack to spin to either Scatter symbols (see below) or a Bet Multiplier.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

The Wild symbol substitutes for all symbols except the Scatter symbol.

Three Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels trigger the Free Games Feature.

The Free Games Feature begins when three or more Scatter symbols appear anywhere. Players will see the second and fourth reels filled by Mystery Stacks on their first spin. If there are additional Scatters, players are awarded +1 to the Free Games Feature, this moves the Mystery Stacks up one spot for each +1 awarded.

A Multiplier is also applied to each of the player’s wins. This Multiplier increases with each Nudge and Reveal Feature.

After each spin, the Mystery symbols move down by one space. The Free Games Feature continues until there are no Mystery symbols left on the reels. The Free Games Feature can therefore be extended by landing further Mystery symbols higher up on the reel.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The return to player of this game is 96.7%, well above our yardstick for average of roughly 96%.

The range of bets on the site we tested ran from a minimum bet per spin of $/£/€0.10 up to a maximum of $/£/€100 per spin.

The volatility of this game is high, which makes it a great match for our preferred slot machine strategies. Our slot strategies target the highest possible volatility.

Conclusion

We recommend this high RTP, high volatility ocean-themed slot.

With its fierce yet fanciful shark characters, this game is entertaining as well as a great choice for savvy players looking to play with the best strategy possible.

The gameplay is fast-paced and compelling. The diverse features will keep players engaged and wanting more.

After trying this slot out, players will easily understand what keeps it so popular.

Viking Runecraft review

Theme and Storyline

Viking Runecraft draws on the mythology of the Old Norse tribes of Scandinavia and Iceland. With your play watched over by Thor, God of Thunder to begin with.

As the game progresses you will encounter not only his fellow gods, but many of the other mythical events (Ragnarok) and beasts (Fenrir the Wolf) from this body of myths.

Many of the figures from the game will be familiar in their Marvel universe forms, but some – like Jormungandr – might be new to most.

Graphics, Sounds and Animations

Viking Runecraft really stands out in its design features, not only are there numerous carefully designed backgrounds, all of which borrow their style from Blizzard’s hugely successful Warcraft series of games, but beautiful and varied animations.

The various features (on which you can read more below) are all given beautifully designed dials and readouts on the game’s heads up display.

The animations are smooth and varied, with intuitively structured readouts that are easy to get to grips with.

All in all it is one of the best looking and intelligently designed slots out there.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Viking Runecraft is a decided departure from the usual press button, spin reel, style play of your average slot.

Instead of reels it has a 7x7 grid of runestones and symbols which fall into place. You win when the symbols fall in groups of five or more. Symbols that are part of a winning combo are then removed and a cascade mechanic kicks in dropping new symbols into the newly empty spaces.

There is a level up system to entice you into playing a longer session, and as you move up through the levels the bonuses and randomised events (known as Gifts of the Gods) get better.

Wilds, Bonuses and Free Spins

The bonus system is almost wholly unique to Viking Runecraft. To encourage you to stick around this Play'n GO slot and play the various bonuses build over time.

For each level a pattern appears in the 7x7 grid. When your wins make use of one of the squares in the pattern it lights up. Light up the whole pattern over the course of your game and your level increases giving you a new god and new randomised events like additional wild symbols.

If you destroy more than 20 symbols on a spin, you trigger an event called Charge of Destruction. There are four Charges, each of which does something different:

Fury of Fenrir destroys two diagonal lines and turns two others into all the same symbols as those that triggered the event.

Judgement of Jormungander destroys a chain of symbols, apart from a few which are transformed into the same symbol.

Scorching of Surtr three random symbols are selected and the symbols around them destroyed. The selected symbols are then duplicated.

Lure of Loki destroys all of one symbol on the grid and transforms another into the trigger symbol.

If you destroy 40 symbols in a round, including those during the triggered event, then the Ragnarok bonus triggers in which all four events trigger one after another. Each one is triggered when no further wins are made with the previous one.

Multipliers are added to certain symbols during Ragnarok.

The third bonus after Charge of Destruction and Ragnarok are the Runes of Valhalla. The Rune Stone symbols trigger a counter when you with with five or more of them. If you have at least one rune when you level up you trigger the Runes of Valhalla. This is a wheel with the five rune stone symbols on it. Hit an activated stone to win.

The more symbols you go in with the better your odds.

Bet Sizes, RTP and Variance

The RTP of 96.70% is not bad, falling around the rough industry average for online slots.

Much more attractive than this is the high variance of the game, which allows for rare huge wins, rather than frequent small ones. We prefer high-variance games like this for our recommended slot strategies.

The bet sizes are rather limited though, you can bet 0.5 coins up to 2.50 coins so if your chosen site doesn’t provide a wide range of coin sizes you’ll find yourself very limited.

Conclusion

Viking Runecraft is a really excellent slot.

Decent RTP and high-variance make it mathematically attractive but the real draw is the excellent game design, fast and varied gameplay, and visually stunning backdrops and animations.

We can recommend this slot wholeheartedly.