Troll Hunters Online Slot Machine Review
This game has a nod to Dungeons and Dragons and a wink to Game of Thrones – while using the innovative 5x5 system unique to Play N Go slots. Instead of reels and win lines, you are trying to line up 3 or more symbols in lines anywhere on the grid. When you do line them up, they explode (after paying out), and the remaining symbols fall down – often creating new wins. This system is not unique to Troll Hunters - you can find it on slots as diverse as Energoonz and Big Ticket.
You are set in a bleak mountain range for this game, with some hardy looking characters which are hunting the trolls. These characters stand on the right of the ‘reels’. During the bonus feature, they are replaced by the troll, and the symbols become frosted over – more on that below. The symbols feel like they are falling into place, rather than spinning and include the hunters themselves, metal jewellery and – strangely – a large joint of meat. This is not the best soundtrack I have come across from Play N Go, though it is perfectly functional. Expect a mix of wind, whooshes and the occasional roar – in among computer generated jingles.
The bonus game is triggered by revealing the word bonus on the grid. This starts a white-out, and you get to play a round with different symbols, which are all scatters.
Setup and Play for Troll Hunters
The new system is very quick to understand, after just a few spins you will be instantly spotting the wins. With no traditional win lines, the only choice you need to make is for the total amount of each spin. This starts at just 20c, going up to $40. There is an auto play option, though this slot does not have the gamble after win option which many other Play N Go slots include.
Each time you get a win, and the symbols explode, the multiplier increases – resetting back to 1x for the next spin. This is helped by the creation of wild symbols (which look like 3 interlinking golden triangles) when a win appears. When you look at the pay table, the amounts look low. What you need to keep in mind is that you often get many wins for each spin, and that they can be multiplied by 3x or even 5x. You get a special win of 200x your bet amount by clearing the entire grid in a single spin.
The symbol with the top prize is the blonde haired fighter, worth 5x your total spin for 5 of a kind. Next the red headed Viking lady and dark haired guy who might be an elf. The ear-rings, skulls and meat make up the smaller paying symbols. Wilds do not come in at first; they need to be created by hitting wins. What happens is that the middle of 3 symbols often becomes the wild. If you line up 5 of these, you can win 100x your total spin.
As the symbols fall you will see the word ‘Bonus’ appear behind some of the ‘reels’ at random. You need to clear all of the symbols from one of these reels - revealing the full word – to start the feature.
Troll Hunters Bonus Feature
When the bonus starts, the snow gets very intensive and eventually whites out the screen. A roaring and somewhat comical looking troll appears by the side of the screen, and the symbols take on a frosted look. These are a completely different set to the original game, and include a lot of weapons.
All of the symbols are scatters, and will pay out when you hit 5 or more. There is no cascade needed, since you either get 5+ of a certain type or you do not (falling would make no difference). If you get 10 of one of the characters, you can win up to 100x your total bet.
You’ll start off with 10 spins. These can be retriggered by getting 5+ of the troll symbols, up to a maximum of 20 times. At the end of the round, the troll (who has been roaring and looking tough) will look worried and run away – a nice touch.
Troll Hunters – Conclusion
This is an entertaining slot which carries on the tradition of putting ideas to good use with brand new themes that Play N Go seems to have perfected. The 5x5 setup might sound strange in writing, though it is very easy to get to grips with – and takes nothing away from the slot like experience at all. I like the dynamics of the game, with peaks of interest when you get several wins in a row and the multiplier starts to shoot upwards.
The bonus game is a nice change from the standard play, with the scatter format another thing which is easier to understand when you see it on the screen than it is in writing. Another hit from Play N Go – I’ll be back to this game at some point and recommend you take a look for yourself.
