Picture yourself on a windswept plateau in the heart of the Peloponnese, where the rugged landscape meets the icy waters of the Ionian Sea. A wise soothsayer lays a hand on a warrior’s shoulder and predicts great battles, conquered lands, and an enduring legacy that will one day find its place in the world of online slots. The warrior might have been baffled by the last part of the prophecy, but for us, who are well-acquainted with Ancient Greek-themed slots, it’s a tale we’ve heard before. Welcome to ‘Shield of Sparta,’ an offering from Pragmatic Play that invites you to explore the legends of ancient Greece.
Game Overview:
‘Shield of Sparta‘ takes players on a dual journey, offering a rugged coastal landscape during the base game and then plunging them into a battlefield during the bonus round. While Pragmatic Play hasn’t delved into the theme with great depth, they have provided a familiar array of elements, including warriors, helmets, swords, ships, and chariots. Visually, the game strikes a balance between being aesthetically pleasing and maintaining a conventional appearance.
Game Statistics:
‘Shield of Sparta‘ is known for its high volatility, with the bonus round arriving just when players might be losing hope. During our testing, free spins triggered surprisingly often. The game offers three possible RTP values, which can be verified in the paytable, ranging from the standard 96.5% to the 95.5% or 94.5% versions. ‘Shield of Sparta’ is compatible with various devices, offering betting options ranging from 20sen to MYR500per spin.
The game grid consists of a classic 5-reel, 3-row structure with 20 paylines for forming winning combinations of three to five matching symbols. Lower-paying symbols include J-A card ranks, each rewarding 5 times the bet for five-of-a-kind. Higher-paying symbols feature chariots, catapults, ships, and warriors, offering payouts of 15 to 25 times the stake for five identical symbols. A warrior wild symbol, featuring a close-up headshot, appears on all reels and substitutes for all symbols except the bonus symbol.
Game Features:
Although not overflowing with features, ‘Shield of Sparta‘ offers a bonus symbol respin in the base game and a free spins bonus round with a cumulative win multiplier component.
Bonus Symbols: The game includes two types of bonus symbols, regular and magnetic. When two bonus or magnetic bonus symbols appear on the reels, they lock in place, and the remaining symbols respin once. Triggering free spins requires landing three or more bonus or magnetic bonus symbols.
Free Spins: Landing 3, 4, or 5 bonus or magnetic bonus symbols awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. During the free spins round, marked positions from the triggering bonus or magnetic bonus symbols are framed. When a new bonus symbol lands in a framed position, the position upgrades, with a maximum of three levels. Magnetic bonus symbols make positions magnetic, nudging any bonus symbol that lands on their reel toward them.
At the end of the free spins round, marked positions display random multipliers based on their level. The multipliers add up and are applied to the total win of the free spins round. The feature can be retriggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 bonus or magnetic bonus symbols, granting 10, 15, or 20 additional free spins.
Verdict:
While we may not be Greek historians, we couldn’t help but question the inclusion of a catapult symbol. However, it aligns with the slot’s focus on warfare. The base game may lack major features, but it sets the stage for an action-packed free spins round, where the framed positions and multipliers introduce an extra layer of excitement. While the maximum win is capped at 3,000 times the bet, it may not be a monumental achievement, but it aligns with ‘Shield of Sparta’s’ overall gaming experience.
The game offers a basic yet visually appealing slot with a touch of creativity in its free spins phase. Pragmatic Play has crafted a game that doesn’t aim for grandeur but provides solid entertainment in an imaginative Greek-inspired world.