Himalayan Wild

Himalayan Wild is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot developed by Pragmatic Play. Set against a mountainous backdrop, the game features 5 paylines and high volatility gameplay. With an RTP of 96.51% on the optimal setting, the slot offers a maximum potential win of 10,000x the stake. The game incorporates wildlife symbols and unique free respin mechanics focused on the natural beauty of the Himalayan region.

The slot is themed around the majestic Himalayan mountain range, showcasing snowy peaks and local wildlife. The background depicts snow-covered mountains against a purple and blue sky, creating a serene yet imposing atmosphere. While not delving deeply into cultural aspects, the game focuses on the natural elements of the region.

Core Gameplay and Mechanics

Himalayan Wild utilizes a standard 5×3 reel layout with only 5 paylines. Winning combinations are formed from left to right on adjacent reels. The game features both low-paying card rank symbols (10 to A) and high-paying animal symbols.

Wild symbols appear on reels 3, 4, and 5, substituting for all regular pay symbols to complete winning lines. The game also includes Bonus symbols that can pay up to 4x the bet for a 5-of-a-kind combination.

Bonus Features

• Free Respins: This is the main feature of Himalayan Wild. It is triggered by landing any winning pay symbol combination that includes at least one wild symbol. Multiple winning combinations with wilds can trigger separate Free Respins rounds.
• During Free Respins, mountain Bonus symbols act as Money symbols. These carry a value equal to the payout of the triggering combination. The round begins with 3 respins, which reset to 3 each time a new Money symbol lands.
• Jackpot Symbols: Three jackpot symbols – Minor (30x), Major (100x), and Mega (1,000x) – can appear during Free Respins. Landing a Jackpot symbol on reel 1 simultaneously with the corresponding Minor, Major, or Mega symbol on reel 5 awards the respective prize.
• Feature Buy: Players can purchase entry into the Free Respins feature. For 100x the bet, the feature is triggered with a random paying symbol. For 300x the bet, it's triggered with one of the four highest-paying symbols.

An interesting feature of Himalayan Wild is its unusual approach to free spins. Rather than a traditional free spins bonus, the game utilizes a respins mechanic tied directly to wild-assisted wins in the base game. This creates a more integrated and potentially frequent bonus experience compared to many slots that rely on scatter-triggered free spins.