Pirots, developed by ELK Studios, takes players to a picturesque Caribbean-like setting filled with mountainous islands, lush vegetation, and a blazing sun. The game's theme is a fresh take on the popular pirates theme, replacing the typical human pirates with colorful, rum-drinking parrots. The four main characters, or “pirots,” each have their own unique outfit and color.
Core Game and Mechanics
Pirots is played on a 5×5 grid that can expand up to an 8×8 layout. Players can choose from a minimum bet of £0.20 to a maximum bet of £100 per spin. The objective is to collect gems of the same color as the parrots that land on the grid.
On each spin, four differently colored parrots land alongside the regular paying gems and any other special symbols. The parrots move around the grid, collecting feature symbols and gems of the same color that are adjacent in up, down, left, or right directions. The four gems come in blue, green, purple, and red colors and start at win level 1, but they can be upgraded in value.
If a parrot collects enough matching gems to fill the meter above the reels, a feature is triggered. When there are no more wins, but there is a chance to create a win, adjacent birds may swap positions.
Pirots Bonus Features
Pirots offers a variety of bonus features, including:
- Wild Symbol: The wild symbol substitutes for any gem at its current win level.
- Scatter Symbol: Collecting three scatter symbols triggers the free spins feature.
- Coin Symbol: Coin symbols have various multiplier values attached to them, which multiply the current active bet level if collected.
- Upgrade Symbols: White upgrade symbols boost gems of the same color as the collecting parrot to the next level. Multicolored upgrade symbols boost all gems.
- Transform Symbol: A cluster of gems surrounding the transform symbol becomes either the same color as the collecting parrot or a random set of feature symbols.
- Bomb Symbol: A bomb symbol collected by a parrot explodes when there are no more wins in view, removing all symbols except feature symbols in close proximity. This also expands the game grid up to a maximum of 8 rows by 8 columns.
- Free Spins: Triggered by collecting three bonus symbols during a game round. The grid size, symbol levels, and symbol collection are carried over to a new set of reels.
One of the most interesting aspects of Pirots is the unique way the parrots move around the grid, collecting symbols and triggering features. This “Pac-Man twist” on the cluster-paying mechanic sets Pirots apart from other pirate-themed slots. The game also offers a high potential max win of 10,000x the bet, which should entice players looking for big payouts.
Overall, Pirots is an innovative and creative slot that takes the popular pirates theme and puts a fresh spin on it. While it may take some time to fully understand all the mechanics and features, the game offers a unique and engaging experience for players willing to invest the time.
About Pirots Series
The Pirots online slot from ELK Studios has established itself as the progenitor of a highly popular series, captivating players with its innovative mechanics and engaging themes. Released in March 2023, Pirots introduced the unique CollectR™ mechanic, which allows players to create wins by collecting symbols adjacent to their colorful parrot characters. This innovative gameplay quickly garnered a dedicated following, leading to the development of sequels: Pirots 2, Pirots 3, and the Pirots X, set for release in October 2024. Each installment builds upon the foundation laid by the original, while also introducing new elements to enhance player experience.
The core gameplay mechanics of each slot in the Pirots series maintain a strong connection to the original game. The CollectR™ mechanic remains a central feature, allowing players to collect symbols of the same color as the parrots they control. However, each sequel innovates further by expanding the grid and introducing additional features. For instance, Pirots 2 retains the core mechanics but adds new symbols like the Red Button, which triggers meteor strikes to clear symbols and expand the grid. Similarly, Pirots 3 introduces a Duel feature where adjacent parrots can engage in battles that affect symbol collection and payouts. These innovations not only keep gameplay fresh but also cater to players' desires for variety and excitement.
While all titles in the series share a common theme centered around pirate-inspired parrots, they explore different settings and narratives. The original Pirots is set against a vibrant Caribbean backdrop, where players navigate through treasure-laden islands. In contrast, Pirots 2 transports players into an Amazon rainforest amusement park, adding an element of adventure and whimsy to the gameplay. Pirots 3 takes a bold turn by placing the parrots in a Wild West setting, where they interact with bandits and train heists, further diversifying the thematic elements of the series. Each theme not only enhances visual appeal but also enriches storytelling within the gameplay.
The Pirots X promises to continue this trend of innovation while building on the successes of its predecessors.
In conclusion, ELK Studios’ Pirots series exemplifies how a successful slot game can evolve while maintaining its core identity. The original Pirots laid a solid foundation with its innovative mechanics and charming theme, which have been effectively built upon in subsequent titles.