The Dark Joker Rizes Slot
While it sounds like it could well be a Batman slot, this is in fact a proprietary game from up and coming software house Yggdrasil.
You’ll find the standard fruit symbols on the reels – though not in the usual format. The lemons are stitched together, the cherries have a dark skull pattern on them and even the bells are licked in flames. This is not the only unique aspect of the excellent Dark Joker Rizes. There are win-lines in both directions and a ‘Jokerizer Mode’ which gives you the chance of hitting mystery wins.
The main reason to see this slot are the amazing graphics. Dark, brooding music plays while you spin and the reels are framed by a dark and sinister looking castle. The pillars at either side sometimes burst into flames. During play the animated Dark Joker himself appears on the reels. This is a colourful character, with a sound effect half way between a high pitched evil laugh and a computerized sheep. The sinister variations on old school slot symbols are very effective. There are grapes, sevens and stars in addition to the cherries, lemons and bells already covered. Win line animations are smooth, though the mystery win animation and flames for the Dark Joker are the most effective of these. With no detailed break out bonus on a second screen, I can see this slot working great on mobile devices too.
Jokerizer mode happens by default when you hit a win, and gives you the option to spin for 200 coins a go with a sticky joker, or stick to your regular bet instead.
Setup and Play for The Dark Joker Rizes
Win lines are set up differently to other slots in this game. There are 10 fixed lines, 5 of which start on the left hand side of the 5 reels, and the other 5 start on the right. This did confuse me for the first few spins – though I tuned in very quickly. The coins per line can be adjusted between 1c and €1 – giving you a 10c to €10 spin cost range. There is an auto play button to the right of the spin button, which lets you choose up to 1000 spins each time. You can adjust the criteria for when auto play stops using the settings button (the plus on the left gives you options there).
Your wins from this game will come from the Joker, with the regular line wins providing the opportunity to get into ‘Jokerizer Mode’ where you can win these bonuses. The best regular symbol is the 3D effect star. This is worth 300 coins for 5 on a line, 120 for 3 and 60 for 3. The 7’s come next at 200 for 5, with the bells at 100. The fruit symbols make up smaller wins. With only 6 regular symbols on the reels, there are frequent smaller wins while you are waiting for the Dark Joker to show up.
If you get 3 or more of the Dark Joker symbols on the reels, you will trigger a mystery win. The range of this win depends on how many jokers you hit. These are scatters, so the award is for the total number of jokers, regardless of where they are on the reels. If you get 3, then the mystery win is from 1000 to 6000 coins, 4 wins you between 3000 and 6000 and all 5 jokers gets you 6000 coins. There is an animation involving a huge gravestone appearing over the reels to reveal your mystery win each time.
Jokerizer Mode
When you hit a win, the default action for the game is to use the credits that you just won in ‘Jokerizer Mode’. Columns at either side of the reels burst into flames to show you that this is active. You spin for your normal credits, or for 200 coins per line (you can select these above the spin button). If you go with your normal credits, then any 2 jokers on the reels gets you a mystery win of anywhere from 20 to 6000 coins. If you choose the 200 credits, you get a sticky joker (who comes down on a chain from the top of the reels). This means that you only need one more joker symbol to trigger the mystery win.
One small extra to add – you’ll sometimes get a respin after your mystery win, just for good measure.
A Company on the Up with the Dark Joker Rizes
If this is the shape of things to come from new slots software house Yggdrasil, then I am looking forward to seeing their future titles very much. Visually, this slot is amazing, with fantastic animations and effects. The unique game-play works for me, creating a game which is entertaining while keeping it simple. I strongly recommend this slot - check it out for yourself soon.
