Pragmatic Play's Running Sushi is a video slot that caters to players with a penchant for Japanese cuisine. Thematic elements are woven throughout the game, with the base game presenting a tasteful sushi restaurant aesthetic. The layout adheres to an industry standard 5-reel, 1,024-payline format. Symbolism aligns with the theme, with low-value icons represented by classic card suits. Higher-paying symbols depict various sushi ingredients and condiments, such as avocado, rice, meat, shrimp, soy sauce, and more.
Core Mechanics:
The innovative Take mechanic and Money symbols are central to Running Sushi's gameplay. Throughout both the base game and free spins, a conveyor belt appears below the reels, displaying 1 to 10 Money symbols per spin. These symbols hold significant value, ranging from 1x to 1,000x the player's stake. Notably, during free spins, there's a possibility of encountering a 2,500x Money symbol.
Strategic placement of Take Sushi symbols is crucial for collecting Money symbol values. These special symbols appear on the leftmost, middle, or rightmost reel. Landing 3 Take Sushi symbols simultaneously awards the player the total value of all Money symbols displayed on the conveyor belt for that specific spin.
Free Spins:
Free spins are another cornerstone feature in Running Sushi. Triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols on the middle reels, this bonus round awards 10 spins. Here, the Take mechanic takes center stage. The values of all Money symbols that appear during free spins are meticulously collected in a dedicated meter. This accumulated value has the potential to significantly enhance winnings, especially if the player manages to land the elusive Take All symbol.
Unique to the free spins round, Take All symbols appear on the middle three reels. When 3 of these symbols land, they collect the current value of the meter, including all Money symbols that landed during the free spins, and then reset the meter to zero. This offers a thrilling opportunity to capitalize on the rewards meticulously accumulated throughout the bonus round.
While Wild symbols only appear during free spins, they substitute for all other symbols except scatters, Take Sushi, and Take All symbols, facilitating the formation of winning combinations.
An Interesting Feature:
The dual functionality of the Take mechanic across the base game and free spins adds a layer of strategic decision-making for players. In the base game, collecting Money symbols immediately offers a reward, whereas during free spins, players have the opportunity to accumulate significant value but risk losing it if they don't land the Take All symbol before the round ends. This creates a captivating risk-reward dynamic that keeps players engaged.