Bone Raiders, a video slot developed by Relax Gaming, presents a whimsical graveyard adventure populated by cartoon skeletons. This 5-reel, 243-payline slot caters to players seeking a balance between familiar mechanics and innovative features. The base game utilizes a classic 5×3 reel layout with 243 ways to win. Lower-value symbols consist of standard playing card suits (diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades). Higher-value symbols depict various cartoon skeletons in unique attire. Notably, Bone Raiders eschews a traditional Wild symbol, placing greater emphasis on other features. Scatter symbols, however, remain crucial, triggering the game's central bonus round when three land simultaneously on reels 2, 3, and 4.
Respins and Multiplier Potential:
A key feature of the base game is the Respin Multiplier. Every winning combination triggers a respin, with the win multiplier doubling in value. This process continues for as long as new winning combinations appear on subsequent respins. Unlike cascading wins mechanics found in other slots, all symbols are replaced during each respin, not just the winning ones. This characteristic can lead to a rapid escalation of win multipliers, creating the potential for significant payouts in the base game.
Expanding Bonus Round with Strategic Blocker Destruction:
The Bonus Round ushers in a distinct gameplay shift. The reel grid expands to a 7×7 format, though initially only the center 3×3 area is active. The remaining sections are blocked by inactive spaces. Interestingly, the Scatter symbols that triggered the Bonus Round transform into Feature Symbols, each possessing unique effects:
- Magic Staff: Targets a single symbol for multiple strikes (3-7x).
- Bomb: Detonates in a designated area (3×3 to 7×7), eliminating surrounding blockers.
- Cannon: Fires upon a random number of targets across the entire grid.
- Compass: Targets specific grid patterns (rows, columns, diagonals, or combinations thereof).
Feature Symbols strategically target positions on the grid to either remove blockers or double the value of existing coins. Each Feature Symbol transforms into a coin after its action. Importantly, destroying blockers progressively increases the number of spins awarded during the Bonus Round. This mechanic incentivizes strategic use of Feature Symbols to maximize coin creation and potential payouts.
Bone Raiders effectively blends familiar slot mechanics with a unique twist in the Bonus Round. The strategic element introduced by blocker destruction and Feature Symbol effects elevates the bonus gameplay beyond simply accumulating wins. This focus on strategic decision-making distinguishes Bone Raiders as a slot that caters to players seeking an engaging and potentially rewarding experience.