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Microgaming’s Agent Jane Blonde Returns For More Action
By Shane Addinall Apr 02, 2019 Game ReleaseAgent Jane Blonde Returns in a gorgeous new mobile-first slot machine by Microgaming and Stormcraft Studios. This 5x3 reel 15 payline slot offers Respins, Expanding Wilds and a maximum jackpot of €120,000 on any spin!Microgaming, in partnership with game developer Stormcraft Studios, have breathed new life into an old favourite, with the release of Agent Jane Blonde Returns. As the title reveals this is not a new property rather Microgaming have resurrected a slot they created back in 2005, the original Agent Jane Blonde online slot, and have spruced her up to appeal to a new generation of slot lovers!
While you may not know Stormcraft Studios by name if you play Microgaming slots you have most likely played one of their other creations. They have had a hand in popular titles such as Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck 2, Avalon 2 and even the Game of Thrones online slot.
This ensures that Agent Jane Blonde Returns will be well crafted, and 100% mobile friendly, for those who love to take their slots on the road with them.
Theme and Design
The slot is based on an original character by Microgaming, the titular Agent Jane Blonde. She was a better, sexier, more daring take on 007. While the early slot was released years ago it is surprising how far the industry has come in terms of design and animation. Today the original slot art wouldn’t pass muster as clipart however Stormcraft’s latest reimagining of Jane blonde is gorgeous.
"The user experience is very important to us at Stormcraft Studios and we focus on ensuring that synergy is achieved between the mechanics and the audio-visual experience of the game. We are looking forward to sending Agent Jane Blonde out on her new mission." Terence Igesund, Stormcraft Studios
Jane is presented as a beautiful blonde secret agent, a face you’ll get to see often as you the spin the reels given that Jane’s many undercover personas take the lead as the slots High Value symbols. Whether she’s portrayed as a red head, shown in diving gear or paying homage to Carmen Sandiego she’s always on hand to help you uncover winning combinations.
It is always appreciated when a design team fully invest sin a theme, and doesn’t settle for card symbols to fill the low paying symbol spots. In Agent Jane Blonde Returns even the low value symbols are relevant elements like sports cars, a tote bag with a silenced pistol, passports, and even a watch with a built-in tracking device – all the accoutrements a modern spy needs!
While much of the game play is new Stormcraft Studio have kept the spirit of the early game alive by having key roles fulfilled by the same symbols. Not only does Jane reprise her role as high paying symbols but she once again also acts as the Wild, though with a twist. As before the Agent Jane Blonde (Returns) logo is deputised into the role of Scatter symbol. These hat tips are what create a synergy between the sequels even with a 14 year gap separating them.
Features and Game Play
In an interesting turn of events Agent Jane Blonde Returns has been designed this time round as a 5x3 reel low volatility slot machine with a maximum jackpot of 300x your stake. This doesn’t mean that there are no sizable wins to be had, since the low jackpot value has been paired with an astounding max bet of €400.00 per spin, which does mean you could win up to €120,000 on a single spin across any of the 15 fixed paylines. To put this in perspective, while the maximum bet in the original was only €90 you could win upwards of €10,000, which makes the new slot mathematically less appealing, even if the actual values on offer are higher.
In order to offer a fresh take on the gameplay Agent Jane Blonde Returns has done away standard bonus rounds and Free Spins instead focusing on:
✓ Respins Not Free Spins
The games logo acts as the Scatter symbol and landing only 2 of them on the reels will ensure that you trigger the Respin Feature. Forsaking standard free spins where you play a pre-set number of free games this feature gives a single additional Respin which is triggered by landing Wilds on the reels – and they’re not shy in showing up!
✓ Sticky Wilds
All Wild symbols in Agent Jane Blonde Returns Respin mode are Sticky Wilds. Each spin brings with it the chance of landing additional Sticky Wilds on the reels and creating more Respins. These Wilds will remain in place for the duration of the Respin feature games, if no new Wilds are added the round is over and Wilds are removed.
✓ Expanding Wilds
Sticky Wilds are not just there to trigger additional Respins, landing these symbols on the same reels seems them becoming Expanding Sticky Wilds which add exponentially to the win potential of each new spin.
Conclusion
Agent Jane Blonde has kept the spirit of the original slot alive by incorporating the same theme, symbol usage and feature triggers. However what worked over a decade ago is not guaranteed to work for modern slot players. While no one can fault the design, reel animations and sound design a maximum stake of €400.00 per spin with a limited 300x return on the high end is not going to draw a lot of player’s long term. Jane Blonde fans will absolutely enjoy this new slot for the nostalgia value, as will players who enjoy low volatility slots as they get more game play for their bank roll.
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