Krakens have always held a mystic allure, and few game developers have ventured into their realm as much as Pragmatic Play. The studio has forged a mini-series centered around these mythical sea creatures, featuring titles like “Release the Kraken” and “Release the Kraken 2.” Although today’s game, “Sky Bounty,” may not seem directly connected to its Kraken-themed predecessors, it carries echoes of them. Tentacled creatures and the word “Kraken” in the title hint at a connection. Furthermore, all three games incorporate a wild-related feature, with “Sky Bounty” sporting a particularly intriguing one. So, if you’re ready to embark on an adventure with Krakens soaring through the skies, let’s dive into the world of “Sky Bounty.”
Krakens Take Flight
The premise of “Sky Bounty” might raise some eyebrows as it involves octopus-like creatures, traditionally denizens of the deep sea, taking to the skies. These flying Krakens commandeer aerial pirate ships in search of treasures among the clouds. Evidently, a certain suspension of disbelief is required when entering the fantastical world of “Sky Bounty.” Nevertheless, soaring through the skies on a pirate ship with tentacles certainly provides a refreshing departure from the ocean’s depths. It’s a missed opportunity that Pragmatic Play didn’t explore this unique theme even further, as they often do with their games. However, the studio’s knack for introducing intriguing concepts and visually appealing designs is ever-present in “Sky Bounty.”
The Unconventional Grid
The game’s grid structure in “Sky Bounty” also deviates from the ordinary, consisting of 6 reels and 6 rows of symbols. Unlike typical cluster pay or pay-anywhere slots, “Sky Bounty” incorporates 50 fixed paylines for determining wins. Delving deeper into the game’s mechanics, we encounter a highly volatile math model with varying RTP ranges. The default RTP is 96.05% for regular bets, 96.06% with the Ante Bet activated, and 96.07% for buying free spins. For each of these modes, players must choose a base bet, with options ranging from 25 pence/cents to £/€250.
Gemstones and Pirate Booty
The symbols in “Sky Bounty” feature a range of colorful and uniquely shaped gemstones, serving as the lower paying symbols. The higher value symbols include a bottle of rum, a ship’s wheel, a cannon, and a pair of crossed swords. Achieving a 6-of-a-kind win with the lower-paying symbols rewards 2 to 3 times the bet, while the higher-value symbols yield more substantial payouts, ranging from 6 to 20 times the initial bet. Wild symbols play a significant role in “Sky Bounty,” particularly during the bonus game. In both the base game and free spins, wilds can land on any reel, substituting for all pay symbols. If wilds contribute to a winning combination, they can grant payouts of up to 20 times the stake for a 6-wild win.
Slot Features
“Sky Bounty” introduces an exciting element to its base game through the Random Expanding Wild feature. This feature is also present in the free spins round but exhibits a more persistent nature in this phase. Here’s how it functions:
Random Expanding Wild Feature
- In the base game, this feature can activate randomly.
- When triggered, a frame of 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, or 6×6 appears over random symbols.
- If a wild symbol lands within the frame on that spin, the wild expands to match the frame’s size.
- When multiple wilds land within the frame, the expanded wild gains a multiplier equal to the number of wilds within the frame.
- This multiplier applies to all wins involving the expanded wild.
Free Spins
“Sky Bounty’s” free spins round activates when at least 3 scatter symbols land on the grid.
Players receive 6 free spins, during which a frame remains on the grid for the entire duration, changing positions between each spin.
The frame starts as 2×2 in size, and when wilds land within it, they expand to fill it, just like in the base game.
As scatter symbols appear, they are collected, with every 3 scatter symbols increasing the frame size from 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, to 6×6, and awarding +2 free spins each time.
After the fourth expansion, scatter symbols no longer appear on the reels.
If the feature is triggered with 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols, the round begins with 1, 2, or 3 scatter symbols already collected.
Ante Bet & Buy Free Spins
“Sky Bounty” offers players the option to activate the Ante Bet, which places more scatter symbols on the reels while increasing the stake by 20%. Additionally, players can purchase free spins for 100 times their bet. Buying free spins guarantees the appearance of 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols to initiate the bonus feature.
The Final Verdict
In summary, “Sky Bounty” delivers a satisfying gaming experience, encapsulating many of the pros and cons often associated with Pragmatic Play’s game releases. While generally positive, it’s apparent that with a little extra effort, development time, or creative exploration, “Sky Bounty” could have risen from being merely average or above average to a truly exceptional slot game. Pragmatic Play often produces a wide range of games at an impressive pace, yet only a handful of them emerge as classics despite their vast quantity.
Nonetheless, Pragmatic Play excels in maintaining a high level of quality in their games, ensuring an enjoyable gaming experience. “Sky Bounty” is no exception, showcasing creative concepts like sky-bound Krakens and innovative game features. The expanding wild feature is particularly noteworthy, offering an extra layer of excitement with the potential for substantial wins. The synergy between bonus symbol collection and the growing frame adds an engaging twist to the gameplay, leading to the possibility of substantial wild symbol combinations. If luck is on your side, multipliers can further enhance the thrill. The growing frame feature effectively balances the reels and the unconventional grid setup, providing opportunities for wins of up to 5,000 times the initial bet, which serves as the win cap for “Sky Bounty.”
In conclusion, “Sky Bounty” is indeed a captivating Kraken-themed slot game, delivering a high-quality gaming experience. While it falls short of achieving uniqueness and extraordinary status, it remains a noteworthy addition to Pragmatic Play’s extensive portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the unique theme of “Sky Bounty,” and how does it differ from traditional slot games?
“Sky Bounty” features a distinctive theme where Krakens, typically creatures of the sea, take to the skies in pursuit of treasures. This theme offers a refreshing departure from conventional slot game settings.
How does the grid structure in “Sky Bounty” differ from other slot games, and how are wins evaluated?
“Sky Bounty” departs from the standard grid structure by utilizing 6 reels and 6 rows of symbols. It features 50 fixed paylines to determine winning combinations.
What is the volatility level of “Sky Bounty,” and does it offer different RTP options?
“Sky Bounty” is a highly volatile slot game that offers different RTP options. The default RTP is 96.05% for regular bets, 96.06% with the Ante Bet activated, and 96.07% for buying free spins.
What are the symbols featured in “Sky Bounty,” and how do their payouts vary?
The symbols in “Sky Bounty” include variously colored and shaped gemstones as lower paying symbols. Higher value symbols comprise a bottle of rum, a ship’s wheel, a cannon, and a pair of crossed swords. Payouts range from 2 to 20 times the initial bet, depending on the symbol.
How do wild symbols function in “Sky Bounty,” and what are their potential payouts?
Wild symbols in “Sky Bounty” can land on any reel and substitute for all pay symbols. When wilds contribute to winning combinations, they can award payouts of up to 20 times the stake for a 6-wild win.
Can you explain the Random Expanding Wild feature in “Sky Bounty”?
The Random Expanding Wild feature can activate randomly in the base game. It introduces a frame of varying sizes over random symbols. If a wild symbol lands within the frame, it expands to match the frame’s size. Multiple wilds within the frame result in an expanded wild with a multiplier, applied to all wins involving the expanded wild.
What triggers the free spins round in “Sky Bounty,” and how does it work?
The free spins round in “Sky Bounty” is initiated when at least 3 scatter symbols land on the grid. Players receive 6 free spins, and a frame remains on the grid throughout the round, expanding when wilds land within it. Expanding the frame and collecting scatter symbols can lead to additional free spins.
Are there additional gameplay options in “Sky Bounty” such as Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins?
“Sky Bounty” offers an Ante Bet option, which increases the stake by 20% while adding more scatter symbols to the reels. Players can also purchase free spins for 100 times their bet, ensuring the feature’s activation.
What is the win cap for “Sky Bounty,” and how high can potential winnings be in the game?
The win cap for “Sky Bounty” is 5,000 times the initial bet. This allows for significant potential winnings, especially when taking advantage of the expanding wild feature and bonus symbol collection.
How does “Sky Bounty” compare to other Pragmatic Play slot games in terms of creativity and potential?
“Sky Bounty” showcases Pragmatic Play’s commitment to innovative and engaging game features. While it falls short of achieving extraordinary status, it provides a unique and entertaining gaming experience, making it a valuable addition to Pragmatic Play’s game library.
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