Dark Side Slots
There are fewer more suitable scenarios within which people can actively engage their dark sides than when playing a slot. We’re of the opinion that all people have a dark side and there’s a lot to be achieved from regularly connecting with and building an understanding of this area of personality.
Admittedly, the term itself is quite a broad one. Just what constitutes a dark side is surely up for deliberation depending on the viewpoint of the individual. Before we go too far down that road however, let’s just all agree that there are various topic’s which reflect the generic idea of darkness. Within these topic’s stand various ideas and principals, each of which are personified by various animate objects, figures or individuals.
With all of this in mind, a slots game that is representative of the dark side is likely to drag up many of these generic conjurations and incorporate them into its theme. Well, it just so happens that’s what SGS Universal have done when putting pen to paper and creating Dark Side – their very own take on a spooky slot which packs some serious punch.
Creepy Vibes
No game set upon the concept of darkness that wants its players to take it seriously in any way, shape or form is likely to go without some seriously sinister sounds and images as its foundation. From the moment this game loads up, players are confronted with a whole host of brilliantly dark graphics, animations and soundscapes – all of which do very well to build a particularly sombre mood as you navigate your way around the stunningly simple interface and make some key decisions concerning your wagering etc.
The first thing you’re likely to notice and then obsess over ever so slightly is the rich tapestry of engaging graphics on display at every stage of the game. Set against the macabre stone textured background that does so well to instil an element of danger in the player, all of the game’s icons and symbols – as well as the reels themselves – are brought to life in the most masterfully hypnotic and sinister way possible!
Symbols of the Damned
The key to and indeed the responsibility of this games creepiness lies not just with its reel graphics, background imagery and soundtrack (all of which are – it should probably be noted once again – superbly creepy and unnerving), but with the symbols that act to populate aforementioned reels.
All of the usual suspects are present and well (though maybe undead – who knows!), including the always grinning and insanely unsettling smiling Jack o Lantern, Frankenstein’s infamous monster and a rather good looking and alluring witch. The game’s wild is the Jack o Lantern (which we thought was exceedingly apt!) and will swap out for any of the other symbols in order to form a winning combo – all except the scatter.
The highest win available through this game is a decent 9,000x line bet, which can be awarded only in the event that 5 wilds are lined up perfectly across five very active reels. In turn, the game’s scatter symbol is a rather sombre looking golden goblet filled to the brim with blood. Two or more of these appearing anyone across the active lines will result in a prize; the foremost of which will be a 5,000x multiplier across any line bet, reserved only for players who manage to score five across their reels. This being said; three or four scatters also result in rather lucrative rewards – with a host of free spins and multipliers up for grabs as standard.
Conclusive Nature
The theme of this game fits in wonderfully with the wider premises of slots culture in general. The stop-start, jump-inducing nature of creepy media in general is the perfect match for an interactive video slot and there’s very little question that Dark Side is a game which delivers on all fronts as far as this unity of themes is concerned.
The only reservation held with respect to this game is the lack of ambition shown by the developers in terms of the routes toward pay out that are offered to the player. Everything seems to be very above board and standard, which is a shame for a theme which shows so much imagination and promise.
