Honest Slot Reviews – Page 2 – Online Slot Reviews Without the Hype

Mental video slot by No Limit City (RTP 96,06%)

January 19, 2022 by HSR Leave a Comment

Mental Verdict

Mental is a legitimately disturbing slot. The images are haunting, and the atmosphere in this slot is gripping – and might just come back late at night. Even aside from the atmosphere, Mental remains remarkable. As we’ve come to expect from No Limit City, no two spins are the same, and the different X-features can create too many variables on the screen to keep up with. Make sure you keep your head cool, or you could end up like the patients in this horrifying slot, for whom an autopsy is the least of three evil bonuses.

Atmosphere: 19/20
Gameplay: 24/30
Math: 24/30
Editor’s discretion: 16/20

Total: 83/100

You should play Mental if: you know just the wine to pair with a human liver, wish your nightmares would come with astonishing wins, or you thought the other No Limit City slots were too joyful.

Mental Facts

Lay-out	32323 (variable)
Win lines	108 and up
Max win	66,666x
Lowest bet	$0.10
Highest bet	$100
RTP	96,20%
Extras	Multipliers, Split Symbols, Extra Free Spins, Special Symbols,

Theme and Atmosphere

This slot is 90% theme, and it’s hard to know where to start describing it. The background is a tiled room in a mental institute where a flickering bulb adds some mood lightning. Classic card symbols are swapped for organs, and five different patients are the higher paying symbols. It’s hard to pick which is more haunting: the distressed girl clutching a little doll or the maneater with his mouth guard.

As usual in No Limit City slots, higher wins and better bonuses increase the discomfort. My personal favorite is the lobotomy, where you witness an iron rod getting hooked into the brain of a patient – right through the eyeball. To top off the mood, there’s the excellent soundtrack and the faded sepia color scheme.

Gameplay and bonuses

If the slot is 90% theme, the remaining 10% still has plenty to offer. The usual grid starts off with a 3*2*3*2*3 grid, with win lines forming for every possible combination on subsequent reels. This creates 108 winlines if nothing changes. Count on things changing, however. At any spin, there are different features that are often combined.

Fire Frames – these special frames split symbols in half, creating twice the winlines. Having four or six of these fire frames enhances two special positions, creating more symbols (sometimes by slicing them into two), wilds, and multipliers.
Dead Patient – two of these dead patient symbols will select a patient that carries a multiplier (applicable to any combinaties with this symbol) between 5x and 9.999x.
Mental Transform – transforms one type of symbol into another.

Free spins

Free spins come in three different levels: autopsy, lobotomy, and mental. The autopsy free spins are the default. As an extra, any Fire Frames that appear, will remain sticky for the remainder of the spins. This automatically increases the number of win lines. Lobotomy Free Spins offer the extra of one spider symbol, which automatically transforms into other symbols, giving them a multiplier. Lastly, Mental Free Spins have two such spider symbols and keep increasing the multipliers that come into view.

Math

With the ever-increasing winlines and changes on the screen, the math model is interesting to say the least. To best understand the math, you need to understand the extreme high volatility of Mental and comparable slots. The hit rate is decent, but most wins by far will be less than your bet. Mental will drain your account if you’re not careful, but can also give you a win you’ll never forget.

Editor’s discretion

Call me whatever cowardly name you want, but Mental is truly unsettling to me. No Limit City is no stranger to controversial slots (and they’ve done worse), but as far as the atmosphere and imagery goes, Mental will remain infamous for years to come. At the same time, playing Mental isn’t just about the gore. Even though gameplay is chaotic, the slot moves along at a great pace and feels intuitive.

I’ve often wondered why so many developers use cartoony graphics, fairy tales, and other kid-friendly themes in slots. No Limit City has wondered the same and decided to make slots for grown-ups.

Alternative slots

If you like unsettling slots, No Limit City is the place to be. They’ve featured inmates on death row (San Quentin), the rap-scene (West Coast vs East Coast), anarchism (Punk Rocker), suicidal samurais, and lately tortured girls in the wild west (True Grit Redemption). Most of these slots also offer the same nitro-injected gameplay.

Nyjah Huston Skate for Gold video slot by Play ‘n Go (RTP 96,20%)

January 6, 2022 by HSR Leave a Comment

Nyjah Huston Verdict

Nyjah Huston brings me back to the days where I played Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. Nyjah Huston is a newer generation, but brings the same feel on the screen, with a similar soundtrack and graphic design. Tricks are the road to the proverbial gold here, while you need more than one multiplying wild reel for the bigger wins.

Atmosphere: 16/20

Gameplay: 24/30

Math: 22/30

Editor’s discretion: 14/20

Total: 76/100

You should play Nyjah Huston if: you liked Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and want to relive the same atmosphere, and/or you’re a skateboarding fan looking for a slot. Non-skateboarders still have plenty of reasons to visit this slot.

Nyjah Huston Skate for Gold Facts

Lay-out	5*3
Win lines	10
Max win	5,000x
Lowest bet	$0.10
Highest bet	$100
RTP	96,20%
Extras	Multiplier, Free Spins, Wild Reel, Extra Free Spins

Theme and Atmosphere

As is standard in Play ‘n Go games, the slot is drenched in its theme. Rough-drawn trick symbols add to the gritty feel, while the light rock in the background helps further underline the theme. I’m no skateboarding aficionado, but the branded theme doesn’t feel like a cheap recycled game with a picture of a famous skateboarder. For non-fans like me, the theme is enough to keep me engaged, but nothing mindblowing.

Gameplay and bonuses

The base game has five reels and three rows. Symbols are graffitied versions of the letters S, K, A, T, and E. Higher-value symbols are four tricks with different background colors, and a portrait for Nyjah Huston for the max win. These tricks aren’t just symbols, but every now and then give you the chance to get a higher prize.

Above the reels, a combo meter may appear, demanding a trick like a bored audience member during a heat. If the right tricks appear on the reels, you’ll be rewarded with Nyjah rolling by, leaving some random extra wilds on the reels. Additionally, a wild board can appear – these wild boards fill an entire reel and sometimes feature a multiplier.

Spelling out SKATE using the lower value symbols in the right order gets you twelve free spins. In these spins, you’re supposed to line up three tricks in the correct order. When the combo meter indicates a blue, purple, and yellow trick for example, these tricks need to appear anywhere on the reels in that order. The easiest order is the first, second, and third reel, but first, fourth, and fifth reel combos will do, too.

When you’ve landed a successful combo, you receive two additional free spins and the now well-known Nyjah trick special, where he leaves some wilds on the reels.

Math

To me, Play ‘n Go never fails a math test. Small wins are regular enough to keep you afloat, while bigger wins landed fairly regularly in my test game. Although the max potential seems a bit out of reach, you can see a 1.000x win happen at any time.

Editor’s discretion

My only real-life experience with skateboarding comes from playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 on PC. This game immediately reminded me of that, so the atmosphere is definitely there. The different tricks with modifiers ensure that skateboarding isn’t just a lame background, while modifiers keep even the base game varied and interesting. This game doesn’t have the longevity of Tony Hawk’s game, but it does have a great execution of theme and a 5,000x max win.

Alternative slots

I’m not aware of any (worthwhile) skateboarding slots around, but Punk Rocker by No Limit City is a submersion in a somewhat related theme.

Piggy Bank Bills video slot by Pragmatic Play (RTP 96,50%)

October 12, 2021 by HSR Leave a Comment

Piggy Bank Bills Verdict

What stands out about this slot is the mechanic: combine two half bills to form a win. Otherwise, the slot has nothing to offer that truly sets it apart from the competition. Nevertheless, what’s there has been executed well.

Atmosphere: 10/20
Gameplay: 24/30
Math: 20/30
Editor’s discretion: 14/20
Total: 68/100

You should play Piggy Bank Bills if:

Piggy Bank Bills Facts

Lay-out	6*3
Win lines	9
Max win	5,000x
Lowest bet	$0.20
Highest bet	$100
RTP	96,50%
Extras	Multiplier, Free Spins, Eliminating Symbols

Theme and Atmosphere

Piggy banks are one of the symbols for wealth, and regularly appear in slots. For some reason, these pigs are usually filthy rich and snobby. Piggy Bank Bills follows in the footsteps of this tradition, without really distinguishing in any way. Nevertheless, the slot is built well.

Gameplay and bonuses

Where Piggy Bank Bills does distinguish, is in the gameplay. Instead of a regular grid, this slot uses three sets of two reels. These six reels in total show half of a bill. Putting two halves together gives you the value for that bill (reflected as a multiplier of the current bet). Multipliers range from 0.25x to 100x. Half a wild will complete a bill, whereas two halves give a mystery win.

Two halves of a Free Games ticket give you access to the bonus game, where you play 8 free spins. During those free spins, the lowest values will randomly be taken from the reels. Unlocking the bonus with two or three scatters will give you a head start by eliminating one or two values from the start.

During the bonus, random symbols will carry a multiplier that then is applied to the whole value of the bill. An extra bill is also introduced, giving you a chance to win 1,000x in one combination – multipliers can also apply here.

Math

Undoubtedly due to that 1,000x bill and the multipliers, volatility is high. Don’t be surprised when a session of free games throws you the equivalent of a handful of coins. Your best chances of a win are definitely in the bonus round, where multipliers, a 1,000x bill, and disappearing low symbols work together to create a perfect storm for a perfect win.

Editor’s discretion

Personally, I would have liked to see the same slot with a maximum multiplier of 200x in the bonus, as that would have made the game feel more balanced. With the current swing towards volatility, I understand Pragmatic Play’s decision. What I’ll never understand is the 5,000x cap put in place on a slot with this volatility. Although the slot doesn’t leave a lasting impression, it’s worth a spin for the mechanic alone.

Alternative slots

Fans of filthy rich pigs have been drawn to Piggy Riches or Piggy Riches Megaways. Play ‘n Go offers a more original take on the piggy bank theme with Piggy Bank Farm.

The Wild Class video slot by Play ‘n Go (RTP 96,20%)

October 6, 2021 by HSR Leave a Comment

The Wild Class Verdict

Atmosphere: 20/20
Gameplay: 23/30
Math: 26/30
Editor’s discretion: 18/20
Total: 87/100

You should play The Wild Class if: you wish the creators of Stranger Things made a Halloween-themed slot.

The Wild Class Key Facts

Lay-out	5*3
Win lines	20
Max win	6.666x
Lowest bet	$0,20
Highest bet	$100
RTP	96,20%
Extras	Multiplier, Stacked Wilds, Free Spins

Theme and Atmosphere

While The Wild Class does a fine job when it comes to gameplay (see below), it’s the theme that truly shines. A deserted carnival provides the background for both this slot and the date between cheerleader Jess, athlete Mike, and A-student Chris. The background music seamlessly ties in with the rest of the theme. Each symbol underlines the high school horror theme, and the stacked wild looks like the worn-off cover of a video cassette.

Gameplay and bonuses

Gameplay follows a familiar pattern on five reels with three symbols on each reel. Twenty win lines span the slot, for which you’ll need at least three symbols. These symbols appear in two versions: letter jacket symbols from 10-A and the three stacked characters: Jess, Mike, and Chris. Every time a stacked character or one letter symbolen fills the reel, the multiplier increases by 1x. This can lead to a maximum multiplier of 5x in the base game, which then applies to all wins.

A minimum of three scatters (their school symbol) start the bonus game. In the bonus, at least one of the characters turns into werewolf and will function as another stacked wild for the duration of the free spins. Additional scatters turn an extra symbol wild. The same stacked symbol rule applies to the multiplier in the bonus game, but the multiplier never resets. Each scatter in the bonus game gives one extra free spin.

Math

The math in The Wild Class is a little more demanding than you may be used to from a Play ‘n Go slot. Triggering the bonus game happens fairly regularly, but triggering a big win takes a couple of tries. Luckily, you don’t need the bonus game, as the base game gives you chances for stacked wilds, multipliers, and wins on several win lines.

Editor’s discretion

The Wild Class doesn’t introduce anything new, but features an atmosphere that’s impossible to ignore. If you’re over the 80’s hype, you’ll get over this slot quickly enough, but for everyone else, Jess, Mike, and Chris could be your next best friends. As for me, I loved the feel, sound, and sight of this slot. It’s the perfect video slot for fans of Stranger Things.

Alternative slots

The last time Play ‘n Go impressed me with an atmosphere like this was with the release of Court of Hearts. Other creepy slots include Three Clown Monty by Play ‘n Go or Curse of the Werewolf by Pragmatic Play.

Cabin Crashers video slot by Quickspin (RTP 96,18%)

August 10, 2021 by HSR Leave a Comment

Cabin Crashers Verdict

What stands out most with Cabin Crashers is the atmosphere. Everything about this slot ties in well together, from the fiddle in the background music to the artwork. While it doesn’t bring anything brand new to the table, it’s executed marvelously. The bonus allows you to pick your own volatility, and the max win of 22,144x is a step up from most Quickspin titles.

The background story is simple: you’re away for a quiet weekend in a rustic cabin in the Appalachean mountains. Your plans are thwarted by the undead, who come crawling in through the windows. Luckily, your hunting cabin has everything you need to keep these zombies away, where every kill gives you a multiplier.

Atmosphere: 19/20
Gameplay: 24/30
Math: 26/30
Editor’s discretion: 17/20
Total: 86/100

You should play Cabin Crashers if: you love zombies, background music with a fiddle, or slots where you pick your own bonus.

screenshot of the Cabin Crashers slot base game

Cabin Crashers Key Facts

Lay-out	5*3
Win lines	20
Max win	22,144x
Lowest bet	$0,20
Highest bet	$100
RTP	96,18%
Extras	Sticky Wilds, Multiplying Wilds, Free Spins, Pick Your Spins

Theme and Atmosphere

The theme is nicely done. The story is told in a gritty cartoon setting, with a fiddle firmly solidifying the location of a lonely cabin in the American forest. Animations add a bit of action to the reels, without holding up play. With a big win comes an extra animation that shows the characters in a new light.

Gameplay and bonuses

Gameplay is pretty straightforward: 20 win lines on a classic 5*3 grid. Zombies are wild, and get shot seconds after crawling through a boarded-up window. A dead zombie gives you a multiplier, and any additional multipliers are added, so two 3x multipliers make a 6x multiplier.

Three gravestones give you access to the bonus, where you get to pick your own combination of free spins and multipliers. These multipliers are 2x or 3x in the base game, and can get higher in the bonus:

12 free spins get you a 2x or 3x multiplier
9 free spins get you a 3x or 4x multiplier
6 free spins get you a 4x or 5x multiplier
There’s also a random option, which gives you 6 to 20 free spins with either one of these multipliers – this random option gives you the highest winnings in the optimal configuration.

Any multiplying wilds that land on the reels in the bonus remain on the same position for the remainder of the bonus. Combining some well-positioned multipliers gives you inevitable winnings, as shown below (a feat that I couldn’t repeat in following bonus rounds).

Math

The math intuitively feels great. As you can pick your own bonus, the game allows for some variety in volatility and thereby appeals to both bigger and smaller players. Compared to other Quickspin games, the 22,144x max win is a big draw, even if it requires the perfect configuration in the bonus round. With the guaranteed 6 free spins and 4x or 5x multiplier, the max win is still a generous 9,822x (and a slight upgrade in RTP to 96,19%). Multiplying wilds in the main game give you a decent chance to win big, and keep play from getting monotonous.

Editor’s discretion

I thoroughly enjoyed Cabin Crashers, and especially was impressed with the atmosphere. Something intangible is built in to the slot, which will appeal to zombie fans and those who normally don’t care about the undead.

Alternative slots

Zombies may be over their peak in popularity, but you can still find some good zombie slots around. Aside from this title by Quickspin, Pragmatic Play has Wild Walker for a scary good time.

Honest Online Casino Reviews – How and Where to Find Them

July 27, 2021 by HSR Leave a Comment

TL;DR – While online casinos can be trusted, not every review website offers honest casino reviews. In this post, I’ll explain why and show you how to spot and where to find honest casino reviews.

Once you’re familiar with online casinos, you can’t swing a digital stick without hitting a review website. Yet, it’s hard to find honest online casino reviews, because a remarkable lot of websites suck badly. In pursuit of link clicks and possible affiliate earnings, these websites will pretend like everything is awesome. As we’ve learned from the Lego Movie, it’s not.

Online casinos can be trusted. Once you know how to weed through the reviews, it is possible to find a trustworthy casino that treats their players right. In this blog post, I won’t bother with these casinos, but I’ll show you how (and where) to find honest casino reviews.

How casino review sites make money (and why it matters)

Casino review sites (and everyone else talking about online casinos) make money one way: referring you to an online casino, and getting a commission based on the money you lose – often a monthly commission based on monthly losses. Different casinos will offer different commissions and incentives, and both players and reviewers have plenty of choice when it comes to online casinos.

This dynamic of commission-based pay means reviewers have an incentive to reward casinos offering higher commissions. Reversely, it means that casinos can boost their image by rewarding higher commissions – and subsequently get a lot of positive attention from reviewers and their readers.

In short: readers aren’t paying for honest casino reviews, but casinos are paying for positive reviews. For a lot of websites, this turns into an easy mathematical equation. For scrupulous readers, that’s the reason it’s so hard to find honest casino reviews. Luckily, it’s not impossible.

Also read: why it’s important to select the right casino

How to spot a good casino review website

There are two different levels at which to judge a casino review website: their reviews and their level of scrutiny. When it comes to their reviews, make sure they mention the following:

The license a casino uses – This is the first indication (not a guarantee) of whether or not a casino is reliable. You can safely disregard any casino with a license other than Malta and/or the UK.
Terms and conditions – A good review will guide you through the terms and conditions for a casino. It doesn’t need to give you every single detail, but give you an indication of specific terms and conditions to look out for. Same goes for bonus terms.

Also read: terms and conditions to double-check

Affiliated businesses – Most online casinos are managed by other companies, or simply part of a portfolio of casinos. The review should be clear about which ties a casino has.

When it comes to selecting a trustworthy source for online casino reviews, check for the following:

Does the website ever not recommend a casino? As I’ve explained above, it’s tempting for a review website to talk up any casino and use a shotgun approach: you’re bound to sign up for a casino if they all look great (or, more likely, if you Googled the casino and landed on said website). A great review website will have casinos with a poor rating and/or a blacklist of casinos to avoid.
Are all the highest-ranked casinos related? A lot of casinos have linked affiliate programs. This means that bundling several casinos from the same company can bring in higher bonuses. Or that a website has an agreement with a specific company, trading a good spot on the recommendations list for higher commissions. If all the top casinos stem from the same company, the website may be biased.
Do they talk about the unfavorable side of online gambling? We’re all adults, and we know that the casino wins in the long run. Online gambling should be about (the dream of) beating the odds in the shorter run, or having the most possible fun in the meantime. But no website should pretend it’s all winnings and fun, or that winning is a normal part of playing. Found a website that promises winnings? Go elsewhere.

A list of places to find great and honest casino reviews:

I’ve found some places that have become my go-to for trustworthy casino reviews. If you feel I’ve missed one, let me know in the comments below.

Casino Reviews: ThePogg.com is hands down the most reliable casino comparison site I’ve seen. They don’t hesitate to name and shame casinos, they’re involved in player complaints (as an ADR) daily, and offer mathematical analyses for bonus offers that give you a great insight into how good a deal you’re getting. They also helped develop a definite website blocker that helps problem gamblers: BetBlocker. The biggest downside is their exclusive guarantee, which can give casinos bonus credit in their trustworthiness that can skew results. Another downside is that it’s heavily geared towards the UK.
Slot Reviews: Slotcatalog.com offers unique insights into the world of slots and live casino games. I take their rankings with a tiny grain of salt, but it’s still by far the best way to gauge interest in a particular game. I don’t like how their winnings and screenshots are not always showing the same bets, but that’s the only downside you will find.
Live Casino Reviews: I really like the Youtube channel of Live Casino Comparer. You can find Youtube clips of people playing online casinos everywhere, but I’m very sure Neil pays for his own prudent bets (most streamers are sponsored by the casinos, so they’re essentially playing with Monopoly money).
Miscellaneous: For background information, I like The Wizard of Odds. The website is no longer run by Michael Shackleford, but he’s involved and all the information is detailed and makes mathematical sense.

Do you have further questions? Are you missing any information or a resource? Let me know!