Jurassic Journey

This review delves into “Jurassic Journey,” a slot game developed by Arrow's Edge. The game invites players to experience a world brimming with dinosaurs and ancient mysteries. The visual presentation is a vibrant tapestry of prehistoric life, with lush jungles, volcanic landscapes, and a host of realistically rendered dinosaurs that roam the reels. The game's aesthetic is a blend of adventure and excitement, reminiscent of classic adventure films, but with a unique twist that sets it apart. The symbols are thoughtfully designed, featuring a mix of recognizable dinosaurs like the Triceratops and Pterodactyl, as well as adventurer characters and fossilized eggs, all contributing to the immersive theme.

The auditory experience complements the visuals perfectly. A tribal drumbeat sets the pace, while the ambient sounds of the jungle – rustling leaves and distant dinosaur roars – create a captivating atmosphere. The sound effects are sharp and engaging, punctuating wins and bonus features with a satisfying auditory flourish.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

“Jurassic Journey” is structured around a 5-reel, 12-payline format. The game operates with a high volatility model, meaning wins may be less frequent but have the potential to be more substantial. The RTP (Return to Player) is 94.06%, which increases to 94.46% when considering the jackpot. This is slightly below the average for online slots, a point to consider for those who prioritize long-term return rates.

The paylines are fixed, meaning all 12 are always active, and wins are awarded from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel. The exception to this rule is the bonus symbol, which pays out regardless of its position on the reels.

The symbol hierarchy is straightforward: the dinosaur symbols offer the highest payouts, with the Raptor delivering a substantial 1200x the line bet for five on a payline. The Pterodactyl and Triceratops follow, offering 500x and 300x respectively. The adventurer symbols and colored eggs constitute the mid-tier and lower-tier symbols.

Unique Bonus Features in Detail

“Jurassic Journey” offers several bonus features that elevate the gameplay experience:

Nudge Wild Feature:
The Wild symbol, depicted by a menacing T-Rex, substitutes for all symbols except the bonus symbol.
What's interesting is the Nudge feature: if a Wild lands partially on the screen, it will nudge, if needed, to cover the entire reel. This increases the chances of forming winning combinations.

Jurassic Re-Spin:
During each spin, reels 2, 3, and 4 can be randomly highlighted. If all three central reels are fully highlighted at the end of a spin, the Jurassic Re-Spin is triggered.

In this feature, reels 2, 3, and 4 merge into a single reel with colossal symbols. A colossal symbol is a block of 3×3 symbols, which can be fully or partially displayed.

If reels 1 and 5 are highlighted when a colossal symbol appears, an additional re-spin is granted. This can continue until the re-spin with the colossal symbol is not fully highlighted.
The feature concludes when a re-spin with the colossal symbols is not fully highlighted. The total win from the re-spins is added to any wins from the round that triggered it.

Importantly, the Nudge Wild feature remains active during re-spins, adding another layer of potential rewards. It is worth noting that 1 colossal symbol is equivalent to 9 regular (1×1) symbols.

Hold & Win Bonus: This bonus is triggered when 5 or more Gold Coin symbols land on the reels in the same spin. Each Gold Coin carries a prize value.
Players are granted an initial 3 free spins. All Gold Coin symbols, including the triggering ones, remain sticky during the bonus. Every time at least one new Gold Coin lands, the spin counter resets to 3.
The introduction of a Special Coin symbol adds a unique twist. When this symbol appears, all Gold Coins are absorbed into it, their values are combined, and the spin counter is reset to 3. This allows for more Gold Coins to land, potentially increasing the total bonus win.
The bonus ends when there are no spins left or all 15 positions are filled with coins and/or special symbols. The total accumulated prize values are then awarded.

Bonus Buy-In Feature: For those who prefer to jump straight into the action, “Jurassic Journey” offers a Bonus Buy-In option. This allows players to purchase the Hold & Win Bonus at any time for a set price, which depends on the bet amount. The maximum buy-in limit is capped at $24,000.

Mega Jackpot: The game features a progressive Mega Jackpot, which grows with each bet placed. Every bet contributes to the jackpot, offering the chance for a significant win.

“Jurassic Journey” is like a well-crafted expedition into the unknown: thrilling, unpredictable, and filled with potential rewards. The high volatility may deter some, but it's a perfect fit for those who enjoy the thrill of the chase. The combination of the Nudge Wild, Jurassic Re-Spin, and Hold & Win bonus features creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay loop. The Bonus Buy-In is a welcome addition for players who prefer direct access to the bonus rounds.