Books & Crowns

This slot machine offers a unique blend of ancient Egyptian aesthetics with a regal touch. The game's backdrop suggests a pharaoh's opulent chamber, bathed in a warm, golden hue. Royal purples and blues dominate the color scheme, giving the game a luxurious feel. The symbols are rendered with crisp detail, featuring intricate designs that are a cut above the usual fare. Instead of simply throwing together pyramids and scarabs, “Books & Crowns” presents a more refined visual experience, as if you are perusing treasures fit for a king, rather than raiding a tomb.

The sound design complements the visuals perfectly. A subtle, yet engaging soundtrack with distinctly Middle Eastern influences plays in the background, creating an immersive experience. The sound effects, especially during winning combinations and bonus features, are sharp and satisfying, like the clinking of gold coins, enhancing the sense of reward without being jarring.

Core Mechanics: A Royal Decree of Simplicity

“Books & Crowns” operates on a 5×3 reel structure with a selectable 5 or 10 paylines. The betting range caters to both cautious players and high rollers. This is not just another standard setup; the option to choose between 5 or 10 paylines adds a layer of strategic depth. Experienced players can adjust their risk and potential rewards, customizing the gameplay to their preferred style.

The core symbols include the classic card ranks (10, J, Q, K, A) alongside thematic icons like an ankh, a scarab, Anubis, and Horus. The highest paying symbol is, of course, Horus himself, offering a substantial payout for five on a payline. The card rank symbols, while lower in value, are designed to resemble ornate, jewel-encrusted pieces, adding to the game's overall regal atmosphere. The paylines are evaluated from left to right.

One intriguing aspect of the symbol set is the dual nature of the Book symbol. It acts as both a Wild and a Scatter. This dual functionality is not just a gimmick; it is central to the game's most rewarding features, as we will see below. The Isis symbol serves as an Expanding Wild, substituting for all symbols except the Scatter Book and Scatter Crown, only appearing on reels 2, 3, and 4. If Isis appears in a winning combination, it expands onto the whole reel and is evaluated as a Wild in all positions of that reel.

Bonus Features: Unveiling the Pharaoh's Secrets

“Books & Crowns” boasts two distinct bonus features, each triggered by its own Scatter symbol. This is where the game truly shines, offering a level of complexity rarely seen in slots with similar themes. The Book Free Games feature is activated when three or more Book symbols land anywhere on the reels. This awards 10 free games, but with a twist.

Before the free games begin, one regular symbol is randomly chosen to become a Magic Symbol. If enough Magic Symbols appear on the reels after the win evaluation to form a win, they are stamped to the whole reel, significantly increasing the potential for big payouts. Three or more Scatter Book symbols landing during the Book Free Games will retrigger 10 additional Free Games. In case of a retrigger, the initial chosen Magic Symbol is kept.

The second bonus feature, the Crown Free Games, is triggered by landing three or more Crown symbols. This grants 12 free games with an Upgrade Feature. During this mode, the Isis symbol gradually upgrades the high-value symbols, starting with the Fan and progressing through the Ankh, Scarab, Anubis, and finally, Horus. Each Isis symbol that lands during this feature also awards additional free games: 1, 3, or 5 for one, two, or three Isis symbols, respectively.

This progressive upgrade mechanic adds a unique dimension to the free games. It is like watching the reels themselves evolve, becoming more valuable with each spin. If any Isis symbols appear after the final upgrade, they still award additional Free Games, but no longer give any upgrade. There are no Scatter Book symbols during the Crown Free Games.
Free Games are played with the same bet and payline configuration as the round that activated the Free Games. During Free Games, you cannot change the bet or the number of paylines.

Gamble Feature: A Royal Wager

For those who enjoy an extra layer of risk, “Books & Crowns” offers two gamble options after each winning spin: a Card Gamble and a Ladder Gamble.

The Card Gamble is a classic double-or-nothing bet on the color of the next card. The Ladder Gamble presents a series of steps, each with a higher potential payout. These gamble features are not just an afterthought; they are well-integrated into the game's theme, giving you the sense of making a strategic wager worthy of a pharaoh.
Gamble games are not offered during Autostart, and are only offered for wins smaller than €150. Gamble games end automatically if you have achieved the top win of €150 or lost your entire bet.

“Books & Crowns” is not just another Egyptian-themed slot. It is a well-crafted game with unique features that set it apart. The dual nature of the Book symbol, the progressive upgrade mechanic in the Crown Free Games, and the well-integrated gamble options all contribute to a dynamic and engaging experience. The game's elegant visuals and immersive sound design further enhance its appeal.

While the theme may be familiar, the execution is anything but ordinary. This slot offers a refreshing change of pace for experienced players seeking a game with both depth and visual appeal. I highly recommend giving “Books & Crowns” a spin. You might just uncover a pharaoh's fortune.