Ways of Athena: Slot Overview
Thunderkick, a software provider known for drawing inspiration from myth, legend, and fantasy, adds another chapter to its portfolio with Ways of Athena. Following popular releases like Midas Golden Touch, its sequel, the Beat the Beast series, and Sword of Arthur, Thunderkick now ventures into Ancient Greece. The result? A captivating slot featuring Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, alongside innovative gameplay elements like the expansive Matching Mystery symbol mechanic and a progressive free spins round.
When you launch Ways of Athena, you’re greeted by a serene, sun-drenched landscape that evokes the idyllic beauty of ancient Greece. It’s a picturesque scene that captures the imagination, transporting players to an era often romanticized as one of poetry, reason, and enlightenment. In a world filled with modern-day challenges—whether it’s climate concerns, political turbulence, or a general sense of uncertainty—Ways of Athena offers a tranquil escape. It’s a chance to step into a realm of wisdom and wonder, where the beauty of the past meets the thrill of modern slot gaming.
The gaming grid in Ways of Athena consists of a 5-reel, 3-row matrix that can pack plenty of action. By default, the game offers 243 ways to win, with winning combinations forming from left to right starting on the leftmost reel. However, the inclusion of a splitting symbols mechanic can dramatically increase the number of ways to win, reaching up to an impressive 43,923. The slot operates with two RTP configurations, with a maximum return of 94.21%, and both variants are highly volatile. Players also have the flexibility to adjust their playstyle by activating the BET+ ante bet or opting for the feature buy. Stakes range from a modest $/€0.10 to $/€100 per spin.
The paytable features a mix of symbols, starting with wreathed 10-A card royals as the lower-paying icons. These reward players with 0.7 to 1 times their stake for a 5-of-a-kind win. On the higher end are thematic symbols such as vases, harps, shields, helmets, and Athena herself, which pay 2 to 5 times the bet for 5-of-a-kind. Wild symbols make the game even more dynamic, substituting for any regular pay symbol to complete winning combinations. Wilds can land on all reels, and a full line of five wilds pays a solid 5 times the bet.
Features of Ways of Athena
Ways of Athena offers an engaging mix of features, including Matching Mystery symbols, a bonus game, BET+ ante bets, and a feature buy option. Here’s a breakdown:
Matching Mystery Symbols
During each spin, Matching Mystery symbols can appear on reels 2 through 5, with a maximum of 2 symbols per reel. These symbols match randomly with the leftmost reel and transform into double symbols, creating 2 pay ways per symbol, boosting potential payouts.
Bonus Game
Trigger the bonus game by landing 3 scatter symbols, which awards 8 free spins. Each additional scatter adds 2 free spins, up to a maximum of 44 spins. During the bonus round:
- Matching Mystery symbols that align with a scatter on the leftmost reel become double scatter symbols.
- Collecting Matching Mystery symbol orbs fills the meter below the reels.
- First fill: Increases pay ways per Matching Mystery symbol to 3.
- Second fill: Increases pay ways per Matching Mystery symbol to 5.
- Each fill also awards +2 additional free spins.
Note: Scatter symbols are not present during the bonus round.
BET+ Options
The BET+ section offers three optional modifiers that can enhance gameplay:
- Bonus Boost: Doubles the likelihood of triggering the bonus game at a cost of 1.3x the base bet per spin.
- Bonus Boost Plus: Increases the likelihood of triggering the bonus game by 5x, costing 2.2x the base bet per spin.
- Flames of Athena: Guarantees 1 or more Matching Mystery symbols on each spin for 5x the base bet per spin.
Feature Buy
Players can skip straight to the bonus game by purchasing the free spins round for 100x their current bet, bypassing the base game entirely.
These features combine to create a dynamic and flexible gaming experience, catering to both casual players and high-risk thrill-seekers.
Ways of Athena: Slot Verdict
Ways of Athena is a quintessential Thunderkick slot, showcasing the studio’s signature blend of mythology, stunning visuals, and a concise set of impactful features. It’s designed to be approachable, offering straightforward mechanics that let players dive in without overthinking. The result is a game that’s easy to enjoy, perfect for those who want to sit back, relax, and let the reels spin. While the base game may feel a bit repetitive without activating BET+, the occasional appearance of Matching Mystery symbols and the ways-to-win system keep the action moving.
The BET+ options, particularly the Flames of Athena mode, bring noticeable changes to the gameplay. For instance, a single Matching Mystery symbol aligning with a scatter on the leftmost reel is enough to trigger the free spins round, making it an enticing option for those seeking faster progression. In testing, activating Flames of Athena quickly led to a bonus game with over 20 free spins. That said, even with a large number of free spins, results can vary. The game has a knack for teasing big wins without always delivering, especially during the Matching Mystery sequence. However, when the high volatility leans in your favor and the orb collection starts to build, the potential becomes clear. With a maximum win cap of 25,000x, the game is capable of delivering thrilling rewards.
While Ways of Athena may not revolutionize the mythological slot genre, it stands out as a solid entry. Its unique take on the classic mystery symbol, enhanced with a progressive mechanic during the bonus round, adds a fresh twist. All of this is wrapped in a beautifully crafted, serene setting that offers a delightful escape for players. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s certainly a worthy addition to Thunderkick’s lineup.