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Technical Table Information
| Gates of Olympus Slot | Insights |
|---|---|
| RTP (return to player) | 96.5% |
| Casino Software provider: | Pragmatic Play |
| Release date | 25.02.2021 |
| Maximum Multiplier | x50 |
| Volatility: (low, medium, high) | High |
| Winning Lines: | N/A |
| Min bet: | 0.2 |
| Max bet: | 100 |
| Theme slot (adventure, Egyptian, Aztec, animals, Christmas, etc…): | Greek Mythology |
| Best Bitcoin casino to play with Bonus: | Up to 180% Bonus on your 1st deposit + Daily Free Spin |
Introduction
If one heaps praises among Greek gods, the adjective he might be looking for wouldn’t usually include ‘benevolent’ or ‘kind’ per se. The Greek deities, especially Zeus, were known for their wrath and whimsical nature and could take offense at anything, irrespective of how much one sacrificed and offered to appease them. It is precisely this volatile nature of Zeus that Pragmatic Play brings to the forefront in its 2021 release, Gates of Olympus.
Drawing inspiration from Sweet Bonanza, the slot undergoes notable modifications that may help you decide whether Gates of Olympus is a worthwhile play this year.
Slot Description
Gates of Olympus adopts a grid layout of 6×5, employing an all-ways win mechanism. Under this payout structure, achieving 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels results in a win. This approach, also recognized as the Scatter Pays system, gained prominence through Pragmatic Play’s previous release, Sweet Bonanza. Another similarity we witness lies with the slot’s betting limits, which span from 0.20 to 100 coins per spin. This inclusivity allows players with varying risk preferences to engage freely in the game. However, the stake’s maximum win potential of 5,000x falls significantly short compared to Sweet Bonanza’s gigantic 21,100x times the bet. Nonetheless, a top prize of 5,000x the stake appears more attainable and realistic on paper.
While the industry average for a slot’s Return To Player is 96%, Gates of Olympus’ RTP of 96.50% reiterates Pragmatic Play’s commitment to creating above-average RTPs. Also, the slot is highly volatile, which implies wins are likely to be rare, but their chances of going big are higher. In fact, Pragmatic has rated the slot 5 out of 5 in terms of volatility. So, only those with high-risk appetites should take a step forward into the game.
Our first impression of the slot was great, and we immediately immersed ourselves in it. The slot’s visuals and majestic aura befits a serious theme. Apart from a thing or two, the specifications look good on the paper. But it ultimately comes down to how well the slot plays and pays.
Theme, Design, and Sound
A common trope in mythology-themed slots is the grandeur they portray. Even though Gates of Olympus uses cartoonish visuals with comic-book-like animation, Zeus’s intense presence adds an additional layer of magnitude to the game. Behind the exquisitely designed reel frame is the open view of Mount Olympus, although only the pillars with burning torches remain visible. The game will easily sway those drawn to mythology.
If the floating image of Zeus is not convincing enough, the BGM puts an end to all the discussion. The music is mighty and elevating as befits the gods and their world. The menacing yet somber score adds to the sublime experience of the game. So, for those not drawn in by candies and treats, the grandeur and sublimity of Gates of Olympus might do the trick.
Symbols and Payouts
Five gems constitute the low-pay symbols, offering 0.25x to 10x the stake for hitting 18 to 30 matching symbols. Among the high-pay symbols are cups, rings, hourglasses, and crowns, providing 1.5x to 50x the stake upon landing 8 to 30 identical symbols anywhere on the reels. But the highest reward comes from the scatter symbol denoted by Zeus. Hitting 6 scatters in the same spin triggers free spins and awards a stunning 100x the stake.
Features and Bonuses
Gates of Olympus borrows a lot from Sweet Bonanza but does things in a slightly different fashion. Let’s find out how.
Tumble
Whenever a win lands, winning symbols are removed from the grid, and the remaining symbol drops down. At the same time, new symbols tumble down from above, occupying the empty positions and possibly triggering another win. This tumbling process repeats if a new win emerges, allowing you to hit multiple wins from a single spin. The tumble feature stops once no further wins are possible on the current spin.
Multipliers
Green, blue, pink, and red color orbs with wings land randomly in the base game, as well as free spins. The orbs come with multipliers ranging between x2 to x500. If a multiplier orb lands on a winning spin or tumble, it gets multiplied by the total win of that tumble sequence. If more than one multiplier is available, their values are added together and multiplied by the total tumble amount.
Free Spins
When scatter symbols land simultaneously in groups of 4, 5, or 6, they trigger 15 free spins and fetch 3x, 5x, or 100x the stake, respectively. If a win and a multiplier hit on any free spin, the multiplier value is added to the total multiplier. The value displayed in the Total Multiplier meter doesn’t reset until the feature ends; it only increments further. Whenever a new win emerges with a multiplier, the win amount is multiplied by the total of reel multiplier(s) and Total Multiplier.
Retriggers are also possible during free spins. Hitting 3 scatters in the bonus round provides 5 additional free spins.
Feature Purchase
Gates of Olympus offers an Ante Bet option, which doubles your chances of triggering the bonus feature. However, to activate this option, you’ll need to pay an additional 25% of your bet amount. Alternatively, for a direct route to triggering the free spins bonus game, players can opt for the Buy Bonus feature. Although it charges a substantial cost of 100 times the stake, the feature ensures 15 free games. The payout value is determined by the number of scatter symbols (4, 5, or 6) obtained in the triggering spin. It’s important to note that the Buy Bonus feature may not be accessible in certain jurisdictions.
About the Game Provider
Pragmatic Play is a prominent brand in the igaming industry, known for its significant presence among game providers. Their comprehensive and ever-expanding multi-product portfolio includes slots, bingo, and live casino games for various operators. The company operates under the licenses and regulations of the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, ensuring a high standard of compliance.
With a prolific output, Pragmatic Play has developed over 100 slots, made widely accessible in various languages and currencies, including cryptocurrencies. Some popular Pragmatic Play slots include Wolf Gold, Starlight Princess, The Dog House, Sugar Rush, and others 200+.
Final Verdict
Gates of Olympus might address the majesty of a supremely powerful Zeus but comes off as a more down-to-earth game than Sweet Bonanza. This is mostly due to the difference in their max win potential. But again, the feasibility and practicality of hitting somewhere near 5,000x make more sense than aiming for a sum that stands literally beyond the horizon. In that regard, Gates of Olympus takes things in a positive direction.
Despite tweaking a few things, the slot relies on the quality of its features. For instance, the multiplier orbs, unlike the multiplier bombs of Sweet Bonanza, are not limited to the free spins but also appear during the base game. This elevates the potential of bagging a few big wins, which exempts one from the need to trigger free spins. Another plus point in the slot’s favor is the total multiplier, a feature missing in Sweet Bonanza.
But then again, multipliers are hard to come across, especially the ones that can dramatically increase the winnings to a heavenly stature. In such a scenario, payouts from regular symbols play a key part. The all-ways win system enhances the likelihood of achieving more wins, making success seem more attainable. However, the system has garnered a notorious reputation for usually not providing enough payouts independently. This is primarily attributed to the low payout count of symbols, especially when they appear in groups of 8-9, which occurs frequently. Steep volatility is another factor that keeps frequent and substantial winnings in check.
The bonus feature offers huge potential of bagging big wins, but this shouldn’t mislead you into purchasing the buy bonus at once. Of course, Total Multiplier and 15 free spins increase the possibility of landing something substantial. Still, owing to high volatility, some sessions wouldn’t even recover the cost entailed with Buy Bonus.
We tried the buy bonus 4 times, and only once we crossed the cost threshold to step into profit. The best approach is to trigger the feature organically via the base game or through Ante Bet. And if you are a high roller, the other strategy would be to play the buy bonus at least a few times.
