Golden Scrolls: Slot Overview
Let’s rewind the clock to the bygone days of 2021, where one of Slotmill‘s earlier creations, Sands of Eternity, basked in the limelight on the Bigwinboard desk. This sun-soaked, feature-packed Egyptian-themed slot played a pivotal role in propelling the studio onto the radar. Since then, Slotmill has flourished, absorbing player feedback and unveiling some of the most captivating games in the industry. Now, in a nostalgic return to the sun-drenched landscapes of Ancient Egypt, Slotmill has revisited the timeless civilization to soak up some rays, and the result is the new game, Golden Scrolls.
Visually, Slotmill’s two Egyptian-themed slots share some similarities, though Sands of Eternity had a slightly more vibrant look with its richly colored symbols. Golden Scrolls, on the other hand, exudes a more subdued and realistic aesthetic, appearing weighty as the gaming grid stands adjacent to imposing slabs of hieroglyph-covered stone. Pyramids grace the background, accompanied by an evocative melody in the distance, reminiscent of a snake charmer coaxing a cobra from its basket. While it may not boast the intricate details of some Ancient Egyptian slot scenes, it captivates with its understated and pleasant visual appeal.
Golden Scrolls, as a Slotmill release, offers various ways for players to engage with the game. The default mode involves selecting a bet ranging from 20 cents to $/€80 per spin, providing an opportunity to chase after the parchment in the hope of big wins. Additional options are accessible through the Fast Track menu, including Burst Mode, all of which will be detailed below. The default RTP is set at 95.2%, with other values to be revealed shortly. Despite the tranquil setting, it’s crucial to note that Golden Scrolls features a ‘very high’ volatility rating, emphasizing the potential for substantial risk and reward in its math model.
The game unfolds on a 6×5 gaming grid with 20 paylines. Winning combinations are formed when matching symbols appear on at least 3 adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost side of the grid. The paytable commences with flowing J-A card ranks, followed by three Ancient Egyptian-inspired symbols, and three character symbols that align with the game’s theme. Landing 5 matching royal symbols yields payouts of 4 to 4.5 times the bet, while 5 mid-value symbols are worth 7 to 12 times the bet. The character symbols offer higher rewards, with 5 of them paying 14x to 20x the bet.
Golden Scrolls: Slot Features
Wild Symbols
In Golden Scrolls, it’s important to note that each reel can only accommodate one wild symbol at a time. The regular wild serves the basic function of substituting for any pay symbols, a role shared by the other two wilds. However, the Expanding Wild symbol introduces an additional dynamic. When this wild hits, it expands downward to cover the entire reel, acting as a wild on each position it covers. With each position it spans, the multiplier increases by +1, reaching a maximum of x6. On the other hand, the Golden Expanding Wild expands in both directions—up and down—covering the entire reel with a consistent x6 multiplier. If a winning combination involves more than one expanded wild, the multiplier values are summed and then applied. Importantly, all three wilds carry the same value as the top-paying symbol when contributing to wild winning lines.
Free Spins
Achieving a landing of 3 scatter symbols in the base game triggers the Free Spins feature, providing players with 8 free spins. Throughout the free spins round, there is an increased likelihood of encountering wild symbols. The feature’s duration is extended by earning an additional free spin for each Spin symbol that lands during the free spins session.
Super Free Spins
If the Super Bonus scatter symbol appears during free spins, the remaining free spins are elevated to super free spins, accompanied by an additional +2 extra spins. Alternatively, landing 2 scatters and a super scatter in the base game results in the award of 8 super free spins. Within the super free spins feature, all wilds take the form of Golden Expanding Wild symbols. Similar to the regular free spins, the super free spins feature can be prolonged by gaining +1 free spin for each +1 Spin symbol that lands during the session.
Fast Track
Utilizing the Fast Track menu, players can engage in feature buy options in Golden Scrolls:
3 Wilds – For 20 times the bet, players can purchase a game round that ensures the appearance of 3 wild symbols, offering an RTP of 96.15%. 5 Wilds – A game round guaranteeing 5 wild symbols can be acquired for 60 times the bet, with an associated RTP of 96.22%. Free Spins – Priced at 100 times the bet, players can buy a game round featuring free spins, providing an RTP of 96.32%. Super Free Spins – For 400 times the bet, players have the option to purchase a game round with super free spins, offering an RTP of 96.33%.
Burst Mode
Burst mode in Golden Scrolls allows players to select a bet and a specific number of spins, letting the math model operate without much graphical overlay. This mode offers a streamlined and efficient gameplay experience.
Golden Scrolls: Slot Verdict
Golden Scrolls is likely to captivate players who have enjoyed the expanding symbol mechanics seen in Hacksaw Gaming slots like Cursed Seas and Stormforged, particularly the way wild symbols expand either upward or both upward and downward to cover positions on their respective reels. However, the regular wild symbol can be less forgiving, especially when purchasing the 3 or 5 wild feature buys from the Fast Track menu, as getting 5 non-expanding wilds for a cost of 60 times the bet may feel less rewarding. On the brighter side, the possibility of landing 5 Golden Expanding wilds can lead to exceptionally positive outcomes.
Players have the option to let Golden Scrolls unfold organically, as free spins have a higher chance of introducing wilds, and super free spins, whether triggered initially or upgraded from the regular round, exclusively feature Golden Expanding Wilds—an enticing prospect. However, a potential concern lies in the bet lines to reels and rows ratio. In comparison to Hacksaw Gaming slots with 4 rows, Golden Scrolls, featuring an extra row, may make the non-linking of wilds with applicable symbols more noticeable, potentially leading to missed wins. It’s essential feedback, as individual experiences may vary, and with a maximum win potential of 12,000 times the bet, Golden Scrolls offers substantial winning opportunities.
While Golden Scrolls may not revolutionize the Egyptian slot category like its predecessor Sands of Eternity, it stands out as a reliable performer and an appealing choice for players seeking expanding symbol action without the familiar book theme.