Have you ever faced the dilemma of wanting multiple items but ended up buying them all? Pragmatic Play seems to adopt a similar approach with their release of not just one, but multiple versions of Shining Hot slots. These include Shining Hot 5, Shining Hot 20, Shining Hot 40, and Shining Hot 100, each named after the number of paylines they offer. While there are some numerical differences between these variations, the core gaming experience remains largely the same, making it akin to a collection of groceries bundled together.
Upon loading Shining Hot, players are taken back to a bygone era when graphics were less sophisticated. The game features a shimmering flame effect next to a 5-reel, 3-row panel for the 5 and 20 payline versions, or a 5-reel, 4-row setup for the 40 and 100 payline versions. The visuals are consistent across all versions, with abundant fruit symbols and a retro appearance. Deciding whether Shining Hot suits your taste may not take very long, as the game’s simplicity becomes evident early on.
Shining Hot Slot Versions
Now, let’s delve into the statistical differences among the four games. All of them are classified as highly volatile, although the 40 payline version seems slightly less volatile than the others, according to Pragmatic Play’s lightning bolt meter. The return to player (RTP) ranges from 96.32% to 96.36%, and the minimum bets vary from MYR0.20 per spin. The maximum bet across all Shining Hot versions is MYR200.
Symbol values also differ among the four games, although they use the same set of symbols – bananas, lemons, cherries, plums, oranges, and apples. The payout for landing a five-of-a-kind winning line ranges from 1.1x to 12x in Shining Hot 100, 2.75x to 30x in Shining Hot 40, 5.5x to 60x in Shining Hot 20, and 22x to 240x in Shining Hot 5. In all versions, at least three matching symbols are required to form a winning line, starting from the first reel. Wild symbols are present in all games and can substitute for any symbol except the scatter. A five-symbol wild win awards 25x, 62.5x, 125x, or 500x the bet in the 100, 40, 20, or 5 payline versions, respectively.
Shining Hot: Slot Features
In terms of features, Shining Hot keeps things simple. The only extra element is the scatter symbol, which offers winning possibilities. The bell serves as the scatter and can appear on any reel. Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters anywhere on the reels triggers a payout worth 5, 15, or 500 times the stake, respectively, in all four versions of Shining Hot.
Shining Hot: Slot Verdict
It is evident that players seeking innovation or unique features may not find Shining Hot to be their ideal choice. The game lacks complexity and extra bonuses, making it feel like a throwback to an earlier era. While nostalgia is popular in slots, Shining Hot might appeal more to those who enjoy retro-style, land-based gaming experiences.
For players who seek a middle ground between classic and modern, Pragmatic Play’s Fire Strike 2 might be worth exploring. It offers a fruit-themed slot with numerous features and substantial potential for big wins. In contrast, Shining Hot boasts wins of up to 2,500x the bet, which, while not massive, aligns well with the overall simplicity of the game. Some players may appreciate this straightforward approach, and as German artist George Grosz put it, “threadbare, ugly, and often pointlessly ambiguous” as it may seem, there are surely gamblers who will embrace it for what it is. Ultimately, players can weigh the number of paylines, symbol values, and stake levels to determine which version of Shining Hot suits their preference, but in essence, all options offer a basic gaming experience with minimal frills along the way.