Grand Patron, a video slot by BGaming, throws players into the heart of a thrilling cartel underworld. Drawing inspiration from crime movies, the game boasts a dark and gritty atmosphere with symbols depicting gangsters, wads of cash, and other underworld paraphernalia.
The action unfolds across a 5-reel, 20-payline layout. However, the unique twist lies in the two additional horizontal reels positioned above and below the main reels. These extra reels play a pivotal role in triggering a variety of bonus features that can significantly impact gameplay.
Bonus Features Fueled by Extra Reels:
- Wild Transformations: Wild symbols appearing on the extra reels transform their corresponding symbol on the other extra reel into Wilds as well, potentially creating more winning combinations on the main reels.
- Symbol Arrests: Prison symbols on the extra reels can trigger the “Symbol Arrest” feature. When a Prison symbol lands on one extra reel and matches a regular symbol on the other, the matching symbol on the main reels is locked in place for a respin, offering a second chance to create a winning combination. If Prison symbols appear on both extra reels, all symbols on the main reels are “arrested” and replaced with a single, random symbol, guaranteeing a win across all paylines.
- Explosive Wins: Matching symbols on both extra reels can trigger an “Explosive Win.” This feature causes the symbol on the corresponding reel in the main game to explode, potentially splitting into additional symbols of the same type and increasing payout chances.
- Symbol Drops: When identical symbols land on both extra reels, 3 copies of that symbol are dropped onto random positions on the main reels, potentially creating new winning combinations. This feature applies to Wild symbols as well, further enhancing win potential.
- Symbol Multiplications: Multipliers appearing on the extra reels can multiply the winning combinations of a matching symbol on the main reels. If both extra reels display multipliers, their values are combined, offering an even greater boost to potential wins.
Core Symbols and Special Features:
The game features a variety of regular symbols depicting gangsters, weapons, money bundles, and other cartel-related imagery. The Scatter symbol, represented by a Special Agent badge, triggers the Free Spins bonus when two land anywhere on the reels. Wild symbols, as mentioned earlier, can be created or transformed through the extra reel features and substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations.
An Intriguing Twist on Gameplay:
Grand Patron stands out with its innovative use of extra reels that significantly influence the main game. The variety of features triggered by these extra reels, from Wild transformations and symbol arrests to explosive wins and symbol drops, keeps the gameplay dynamic and unpredictable. This unique mechanic, coupled with the high volatility and potential for big wins, makes Grand Patron an intriguing choice for slot players who enjoy a high-risk, high-reward experience. It will be interesting to see how the Free Spins variations utilize the extra reels to further enhance the gameplay and potentially offer even greater winning opportunities.