Rival’s “Amazons Unleashed” offers a journey into an ancient warrior civilization, set against a backdrop of jungle ruins. This slot game operates on a 5×3 layout with 243 ways to win, providing numerous opportunities for symbol combinations. The core of the experience is the Hold & Win bonus, triggered by collecting coin prize symbols for re-spins and potential jackpots. Gameplay is further intensified by a Sticky Expanding Wild on the third reel, which includes a 2x multiplier and a re-spin, potentially aiding entry into the main feature. With an overall RTP of 96.08% and high volatility, it presents a dynamic session. The presence of direct high-value Scatter Pays adds another dimension to its reward structure. This game balances familiar mechanics with specific enhancements for engaging play.
The slot establishes its Amazonian setting through a palette of rich greens, earthy browns, and hints of gold, suggesting a civilization intertwined with nature and possessing formidable strength. The backdrop depicts ancient, vine-covered stone structures, hinting at a lost world. The visual execution is competent, with symbols rendered clearly, though it steers clear of hyper-realistic graphics, opting for a slightly stylized, robust design.
The atmosphere is one of anticipation, largely driven by the prominently displayed jackpot values and the game's title emphasizing the “Hold & Win” aspect. Aurally, the game complements the visuals with a soundtrack and effects designed to heighten the sense of adventure and the impact of winning combinations or feature triggers, without becoming overly intrusive to a focused gaming session.
Deconstructing the 243 Ways and Symbol Hierarchy
“Amazons Unleashed” operates on a 243 ways to win framework. This design eschews traditional paylines, instead awarding payouts for combinations of identical symbols appearing on adjacent reels, commencing from the leftmost reel. Such a system offers a multitude of potential winning configurations on any given spin. The game's paytable dynamically adjusts to reflect the selected wager.
The symbol hierarchy is thematically consistent. Lower-value icons are represented by stylized playing card royals (10 through Ace), adorned with subtle foliage. Premium symbols include thematic representations such as a ceremonial chalice, a gleaming sword, an ancient temple structure, and a powerful black steed. The most valuable regular symbol is not explicitly an Amazon warrior but an item befitting their legend. The interrelation of these symbols with the game's payout potential is direct, with five-of-a-kind premium symbols offering more substantial returns prior to the activation of special features.
The Amazon Warrior's Impact: Wilds and Strategic Re-Spins
The primary Wild symbol is embodied by the Amazon Warrior. This symbol appears on reels 1, 2, and 4 during the base game, substituting for all other symbols except Scatters and Prize (Coin) symbols to complete or enhance winning combinations. Its function here is standard, yet crucial for maintaining engagement during primary gameplay.
However, the Amazon Warrior Wild possesses a more potent manifestation on reel 3. Should this Wild land on the central reel and contribute to a winning combination, it initiates the Sticky Expanding Wild feature. The Wild expands to cover the entirety of reel 3 and becomes fixed in place for a complimentary re-spin. A significant aspect of this re-spin is that any Prize (Coin) symbols present on the reels also lock in place, thereby offering an augmented opportunity to trigger the main Hold & Win bonus round. Furthermore, the Wild on reel 3 during this feature carries a 2x multiplier, doubling the payout of any win it helps form. This dual-purpose re-spin acts as a powerful bridge between standard wins and the game’s core bonus.
The Hold & Win Nexus: Coin Collection and Jackpot Pursuit
The centerpiece of “Amazons Unleashed” is its Hold & Win Bonus feature. This round is activated when six or more Prize Symbols, depicted as Coins bearing monetary values, land anywhere on the reels during a single spin or as a result of the Sticky Expanding Wild re-spin. These Prize Symbols are distinct from regular paying symbols and Scatters, and their values only contribute to winnings during this specific bonus.
Upon activation, the triggering Coin symbols lock onto their positions, and the player is awarded three re-spins. During these re-spins, only Coin symbols or blank spaces will appear on the reels. Each new Coin symbol that lands also locks in place and, critically, resets the re-spin counter back to three. The feature continues until no re-spins remain, or until all 15 reel positions are filled with Coin symbols. At the conclusion of the round, the values displayed on all locked Coin symbols are aggregated and awarded. The game also features four fixed jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand – displayed above the reels. These jackpots (e.g., Mini at 45.00, Grand at 6,000.00, relative to a 3.00 stake) are typically awarded during the Hold & Win feature, often by landing specific jackpot-labelled Coin symbols or by achieving a full screen of Prize symbols for the Grand Jackpot.
Scatter Payouts: A Direct Path to Substantial Rewards
Separate from the Wilds and Prize Symbols, “Amazons Unleashed” incorporates Scatter Pay Symbols. These symbols can appear in any position on any reel and do not need to be on adjacent reels to award a payout. Landing three or more Scatter symbols results in a direct monetary award, which can be quite significant.
The paytable indicates substantial rewards for these Scatters: three Scatters award 60.00, four award 600.00, and a rare five-Scatter combination yields a remarkable 60,000.00 on a 3.00 wager. This particular payout for five Scatters represents a considerable win potential outside of the Hold & Win feature, adding another layer of high-volatility excitement for players anticipating large, infrequent payouts.
Weighing the Odds: RTP, Bonus Buy, and Player Profile
The overall theoretical Return to Player (RTP) for “Amazons Unleashed” is stated as 96.08%. This figure positions the game within the average range for contemporary online slots, suggesting a fair long-term payout expectation. For players who prefer a more direct route to the main attraction, a Bonus Buy option is available. Opting for this purchases direct entry into the Amazons Unleashed Hold & Win feature, but it comes with a slightly reduced RTP of 94.72%.
This reduction in RTP for the Bonus Buy is an important consideration for experienced players who meticulously manage their bankroll and evaluate risk versus reward. The game's mechanics, particularly the interplay of the Sticky Expanding Wild leading into the Hold & Win, and the high potential of the Scatter Pays, suggest a profile appealing to players who appreciate feature-rich games with multiple avenues for significant returns, even if this implies periods of lower-value wins during base gameplay.
“Amazons Unleashed” by Rival leverages the popular Hold & Win mechanic effectively, enhancing it with a strategically valuable Sticky Expanding Wild and Re-spin feature on the third reel. This specific interaction, where Hold & Win symbols also lock during the re-spin, is a thoughtful design choice that can expedite entry into the main bonus round. The high scatter payouts offer an alternative, albeit less frequent, path to substantial wins.
