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Visually Astounding Online Slots to Make Every Spin an Experience
By Shane Addinall Nov 29, 2021 Game ReleaseTechnology has done wonderful things for online gaming, but one of the most obvious and impressive attributes is the high-resolution visuals. These slots have brilliant graphics and mechanics to match their gorgeous designs.Rapid technological advancements impact various industries, but the igaming world has benefited a lot in the past decade. Since smartphones became the norm, we’ve seen them morph into powerful gaming devices that fit in the palm of your hand and pocket.
The evolution of visual technology from 8-Bit pictures into 32-bit real colour images that deliver photo-realistic textures is one of the biggest contributing factors. As high-speed processors came onto the scene, 3D characters and backgrounds followed, allowing designers to create games with stunning intricacy.
Fully rendered worlds presenting immersive cinematic experiences for punters caused a wave of gamblers moving over from brick-and-mortar to online casinos, and developers had to meet the demand.
Software developers now design games with HTML5 technology, and they revamp old games using the same, making these online casino titles available for play on any device. Today, 4G or 5G connections with devices that can handle tremendous download speeds make it possible for punters to click spin and play these visually impressive games anywhere.
Let's take a look at just how much Online Slots have changed over recent years and delve into four of the most beautiful casino games available today.
✓ Thunderstruck vs Thunderstruck Wild Lightning
Released in 2003, Thunderstruck by Microgaming is probably one of the best examples of the quality of original online slot games. The designers created visual depth through colour gradients and comic-book images of Norse gods, depicting graphics of about as good as it got back then. It made for great entertainment, but modern punters appreciate that developers adapt as technology improves.
The most recent release in the Thunderstruck franchise pays testament to what technology has done for video slots. 3D Video graphics has Thor looking like his Hollywood counterpart, nodding approvingly when a winning combination pays out. He cheers you along with his raspy voice now and then too, and the Free Spins Feature is something to behold.
Both slots are inspired by mythology and feature innovative bells and whistles. While Thunderstruck has arcade-like sounds and a stagnant background of storm clouds, lightning flashes and thunder rolls across the reels of the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot.
While Thunderstruck was very advanced compared to the pixelated video games available in its time, it is clear how much technology has advanced in less than two decades.
✓ Lady Merlin Lightning Chase by Yggdrasil
Gaming genius comes together as Yggdrasil and Boomerang Studios present this stunning online slot game set deep in the forest. The wonder of Alchemy inspired the theme of Lady Merlin Lightning Chase and the slot has astonishing graphics. Turn up your volume as the music creates an experience that will have you on the edge of your seat. Electricity arcs on the sizzling slot grid while the brilliant Lady Merlin cooks up a winning storm of arcane science.
- Reels: 5 x 3-4
- Paylines: 432
- Volatility: Mid-High
- RTP: 95 %
- Stakes: €0.25 – €5
- Max Win: €204,800
Magical Bonus Features
During the Lightning Chase Hold & Respin Bonus feature lighting coils capture and hold electrifying cash values, and each new coil that lands resets the counter to three. Once no more coils appear and the 3 spins counter is at zero, all-cash values accumulate for a win. The lightning coil can bring prizes of up to 100x the bet. During this feature, the Wild brings multipliers and the Collect lever symbol will collect all visible lightning coils, immediately awarding the value collected.
The BOOM+ ante bet comes at a premium which will unlock potential Free Spins and the Wild symbol will substitute all symbols, including the Collect lever. 3 Lady Merlin Scatters will trigger 10 Free Spins where they will increase the spins counter each time they appear on the reels. The Wild increases the win multiplier by 1 every time it lands during Free Spins.
✓ Story of Vikings by Spinomenal
Spinomenal transports us into a bygone time of legends and myths with their newest Story of Vikings video slot. The developers have a few “Story of” titles and the latest addition tells one of the oldest tales. Viking warriors depicted in the 3D images and finished to the finest details help players along this journey of big wins.
- Reels: 6 x 4
- Paylines: 50
- Volatility: Mid
- RTP: 96.3%
- Stakes: €0.50 – €500
- Max Win: 20,000 x bet
The slot grid floats in a mesmerising scene between mountains and becomes translucent while spinning where punters can enjoy the scenic background of birds flying over water. A score matched to the ancient times that inspire the theme will get punters in a spinning mood. The seafaring Viking Warriors can transform into Colossus symbols where synced reels build tremendous anticipation.
Features to Bring Victory
Some Bonus Features may trigger randomly during the base game depending on which level of the feature you’re on. Win multipliers can increase your win by a maximum of four times and up to 3 reels can merge into one colossus synced reel. Power Spins remove certain symbols from the reel to create new chances of winning.
The Wild symbol can reward an astonishing 1000x payout if you land 6 of these on a winning line. The Bonus Silver coin needs to land on the first and sixth reels to trigger 10 Free Spins. Spin the wheel at the beginning of the feature to reveal which enhancer you win for the Free Spins. The Free Spins and Wheel of enhancers can re-trigger and then add 2 Free Spins.
✓ Viking Runes by TrueLab Games
This YGS Masters collaboration between TrueLab and Yggdrasil is a revamped release of the Norse-themed slot game. Set in the Northern hemisphere with Aurora Borealis in the air, symbols carved from rock drop onto the ancient grid. As cascading wins make way for new cluster combinations in the snow-capped runestone, spin your way to win up to 25,000x your stake.
- Reels: 9 x 9
- Paylines: Cluster Pays
- Volatility: High
- RTP: 96.28%
- Stakes: €0.40 – €400
- Max Win: 25,000x bet
The beat of the war drums will get your blood pumping and ready for electrifying cluster combinations and insane multipliers. Four different runic symbols form clusters of 6 or more. Conquer the lost world’s treasure with Lightning Wilds in each round and summon ancestors with Viking Sorcery for the best odds at winning.
Electrifying Extras
The Lighting Wilds move into the grid with every winning cascade for an increased chance of winning combinations. The number of active Lightning Wilds increases with each cascading combination up to a maximum of four. Five consecutive cascading wins triggers Free Spins, during which a progressive multiplier increases as winning cascades take place.
The three ancient arts will only come to the worthiest of warriors. Runic Shuffle randomly swops the positions of all the icons for winning clusters to form. They conjure identical runes up with the Spell of Ancestors where all low symbols transform, and Viking Sorcery calls forth anything from 3 to 9 Wilds to connect winning clusters.
In certain areas, punters can buy the bonus at a premium for immediate access to the feature and higher chances of winning during it.
✓ O’Bryans’ Funland by Redrake Gaming
Discover Redrake Gaming’s version of Funland with magic leprechauns and where anything is possible. O’Bryans’ Funland video slot has fun features and gloriously colourful imagery that will bring the fun out in any spinner. Find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with Ryan and the forest fairies ready to grant your wishes.
- Reels: 5 x 6-10
- Paylines: 50 to 100
- Volatility: Mid - High
- RTP: 95.4%
- Stakes: €0.10 – €25
- Max Win: 15,600 x bet
This online slot will inspire your imagination to bring forth forgotten worlds from your mind’s eye. Fairies with stunning graphic design and mushrooms appear on the huge 5 x 6 reel. Forest noises create a relaxing magical atmosphere, and all who needs to show up is the generous leprechaun with his gold.
A Pot Full of Bonus Features
Reels may randomly grow in height if Ryan makes a surprise appearance. The Falling Ryan Feature will increase the reel size up to 10 high and here the Pot of Gold lies with a potential 4,000 increase on your stake. The Golden Pot Wild and Ryan Wild will move horizontally until the reel stops. Should a pot be among the symbols when the reel stops, the Pot of Gold Feature will trigger, transforming into coins with different values which will contribute to your win.
Trigger the Free Spins with bonus symbols where 3, 4, and 5 symbols will grant 8, 12, and 20 spins respectively. During this, the Funland Advances feature is active and the system adds new features to the reel in each new spin. The feature lasts for three spins and includes multipliers, winning coins, Wild symbols, Wild Win Coin symbols, Wild Reels and Fairy Wild symbols.
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