Spirits of Aztec Slot Machine
The Aztec civilisation may be no more than a footnote in history, but you can pay homage to the former empire by playing the epic Spirits of Aztec video slot from highly-regarded software developer Playson.
Aztec-themed slot games are all too common in the gaming market. From Aztec’s Treasure and Aztec Gold to Aztec Empire and Aztec Dream via Aztec Temple and Azteca, video slots based on the renowned civilisation are ten-a-penny. Only Ancient Egypt has proven to be a more fertile spawning ground for online slot games.
Despite the market for Aztec slot games being, well, completely saturated, Spirits of Aztec provides a good deal of excitement, especially if you happen to hit a good run on the reels. With 21 paylines, there’s plenty of Aztec treasure to be unearthed.
Aztec Visuals
As a developer, Playson doesn’t always put a great deal of thought into its games’ animation. Spirits of Aztec is something of an exception. Sure, the graphics won’t blow you away, but there’s a lot going on. Visually, the symbols stand out on the reels and the colours are positively ostentatious. The action plays out against a backdrop of tropical forestry, and the bejewelled symbols loom prominently on golden reels. The sound effects are also quite advanced; symbols roar and squawk, and quirky jungle noises play as the reels spin. To be honest, the audio isn’t to everyone’s liking. When playing the game I had to hit mute lest I tear my own fingernails off.
As you might expect, there are a number of Aztec symbols and gods, all of which are presented in lurid detail. Below the reels, you can select your paylines or scan the pay-table. There are also autoplay and max-bet options.
Symbols and What They Mean
Not only does Spirits of Aztec have comely visuals, but it also has some highly valuable symbols up for grabs too. As usual, the letter and number symbols are the least valuable in the game, yet they’re still worth 175 coins if you can match a row of five. Considering these are the lowest earners on the reels, Spirits of Aztec has to be considered one of the better-paying Playson titles.
The snake and crocodile symbols are worth 75 coins if you can land four in a line, while a pay-out of 250 awaits those lucky enough to land five. The statue of the eagle is worth 100 coins for four symbols, while five in a line yields 400 coins.
The statue of the Aztec god and the panther symbol are among the highest earners on the reels. Getting four of these in a line will yield a pay-out of 125 coins, though the winnings rise steeply thereafter. Five in a line grants a bonanza of 750 coins.
The Aztec warrior symbol is by far the game’s most valuable, and it also operates as wild. Landing just three of these in a line will earn you 250 coins. Four in a line will bear fruit equalling 2,500 coins, while five symbols in a line furnishes you with a gargantuan 9,000-coin jackpot.
Gifts from the Gods
As with all slot games, getting hold of the scatters is a lucrative course of action. Spot three of the scatter symbols somewhere on the reels and you’ll be treated to a round of 15 free spins. The scatter symbol in this game is the glowing and rather creepy looking skull symbol; disappointingly, the number of free spins awarded doesn’t increase if you land four or five scatters.
Free spins rounds are always awesome, but especially so when the number of wilds increases during complementary play. Because the wild substitutes for all other symbols save the scatter, players have an opportunity to make some profitable configurations during this bonus round.
All Hail the Aztecs
The market might be saturated with titles such as Aztec Secrets, but Spirits Of Aztec does just enough to set itself apart from the crowd. The sheer value of some of the symbols on the reels means eager gamers will keep coming back for more. When you factor in the free spins, as well as the impressive visual experience on offer, it’s not hard to see why Spirits of Aztec has become a bit of a fan favourite.
