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African Elephant Verdict

African Elephant is a video slot with a traditional safari theme, 20 winlines, and a unique wild symbol that transforms symbols inside a random shape into WILD symbols. The game also features a free spins round, which is triggered by hitting three or more BONUS symbols. While the game is balanced mathematically, the wild shape could be improved to make it more exciting.

Atmosphere:  10/20
Gameplay: 15/30 
Math: 18/30
Editor’s discretion: 5/20   
Total: 48/100

You should play African Elephant if: 

• You care more about a cliche safari theme than special gameplay mechanisms
• The idea of a wild shape is enough to convince you

African Elephant Multipays Facts

Theme and Atmosphere

African Elephant is a video slot that follows the traditional safari theme. The reels are set against a backdrop of the African savannah, and the symbols on the reels are the usual wild animals one would expect to find on a safari.

Gameplay and bonuses

The gameplay of African Elephant is structured traditionally, with 20 win lines across five reels and four rows. Three or more symbols on a win line make a combination, and wilds help by replacing normal symbols. 

That wild symbol in African Elephant makes the game unique. At the end of every spin, there is a chance for a random shape to appear on the screen, marking random positions. All symbols inside the shape then transform into wilds, which help create combinations or could create the most valuable combination with five of a kind. 

To trigger the free spins round in African Elephant, players need to land three, four, or five scatters, which gives 10, 15, or 25 free spins, respectively. During the free spins round, a wild shape is guaranteed to appear on every spin, increasing the chances of forming winning combinations. Additional free spins can also be triggered in the same way as during the base game. 

Math

The math model in African Elephant is balanced, with an RTP of 96.04% and a max win of 15,000x. However, it is hard to see how the max win is possible. The game doesn’t really have the feeling that a big win is close, and even the biggest near-wins come nowhere near even a 1000x. 

Editor’s discretion

African Elephant is a video slot with a traditional safari theme, 20 winlines, and a unique wild shape feature. The game also features a free spins round, which guarantees the wild shape on every spin. While the game is pretty balanced and straight-forward, the wild shape could be improved to make it more exciting.

Alternative slots 

Serengeti Kings and Great Rhino Megaways are two other video slots that share the safari theme with African Elephant. Serengeti Kings is also set in the African savannah and features wild animals. The game has unique features, such as the Lion and Panther features, which can lead to bigger wins.

Great Rhino Megaways, on the other hand, takes players on a safari in the African jungle. The game features cascading reels. This game from Pragmatic Play also has a free spins round and a super respin feature, which can lead to even bigger wins.

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

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.  

Phoenix Forge Verdict

Phoenix Forge is driven by the concept of cascading wins, which intuitively feel just a tad too rare. This makes the volatility of Phoenix Forge slightly higher than the 5,000x maximum win would suggest, but perhaps this indicates a sense of realism more than a wonky math model. In the test run, my highest win was a 320x win after 15 free spins. Landing such a big win in the base game proves a lot more difficult, but certainly seems possible. Although nothing is obviously wrong with Phoenix Forge, it didn’t quite captivate as it might have. 

Atmosphere:  12/20 
Gameplay: 20/30 
Math: 17/30
Editor’s discretion: 10/20   
Total: 59/100

You should play Phoenix Forge if: you love the chance to build on cascading wins and straight-forward gameplay.

Key Facts

Theme and Atmosphere

As expected, the mythological phoenix plays a role in this slot, but it might as well have been a dragon or a magical frog. There’s a room full of gold coins in the background, the symbols on the reels are different gems, and the phoenix itself is the scatter symbol. The golden egg is the wild.  

Gameplay and bonuses

The gameplay revolves around multipliers that increase with every cascading win. After a winning combination, the ‘winning positions’ get a golden frame and a multiplier, starting with 1x. New symbols fall into place, and subsequent combinations in the same spin up the multiplier by 1. Hence, you need three combinations in the same spot to earn your first real multiplier. After each spin, the multipliers are reset. 

Three or more scatters give you access to the free spins. During free spins, multipliers don’t reset, and build with every combination. This allows you to keep increasing the multipliers and reach big wins, especially towards the end of the free spins. Three or more extra scatters earn you another five spins.  

Math

The cascading wins starting at 1x feel a bit lame, but they build up, and you’re sure to see a big win after a while. You will need the bonus game for a solid win that comes anywhere near the 5,000x maximum.  

Editor’s discretion

In a great slot, you feel a big win is always just around the corner. When playing Phoenix Forge, it feels it takes just a bit much to reach a high multiplier. You’ll hit the big wins, but starting with a 1x multiplier feels like it takes the momentum away from the game. 

Alternative slots

For a bit more excitement with a phoenix, try Red Tiger Gaming’s Phoenix Fire Power Reels. To experience a classic slot with cascading reels and an increasing multiplier, Gonzo’s Quest is your best bet.