Safari King

TaDa Gaming's “Safari King” isn't your typical animal-themed slot machine. It transports the essence of the African savanna directly to the screen. The game is depicted with vibrant colors and detailed representations of wildlife, set against a backdrop of sprawling plains and a dynamic sky that shifts from day to night, reflecting the passage of time within the game, also background changes according to the game mode. It's not about cutesy cartoon animals; the visuals strive for a degree of realism, depicting lions, elephants, and zebras in a style that evokes a sense of majesty and wild beauty. The roar of a lion or the trumpeting of an elephant isn't just a sound effect – it's a rumble that complements the visual impact of the game.

Core Mechanics of Safari King

“Safari King” operates on a 6-reel, 5-row grid, but instead of traditional paylines, it boasts a staggering 15,625 ways to win. This “ways to win” system means that matching symbols landing on adjacent reels from left to right result in a payout, regardless of their specific position on the reel. The cascading reels are a central element. After each winning combination, the contributing symbols vanish. This creates a cascade effect where remaining symbols drop down, and new ones fall from above to fill the gaps.

Each spin initiates with a x1 multiplier. With each subsequent cascade within the same spin, the multiplier increases progressively – x2, x3, and finally, a maximum of x5 in the base game. However, any non-winning cascade will reset the multiplier back to x1. For example: if you have a winning combination that has triggered three cascades and is now at x3 multiplier, and then a fourth cascade brings no winning combination – the multiplier will reset to x1 and the next spin begins.

Symbol Hierarchy and Payout Structure

The symbols in “Safari King” follow a clear hierarchy. The majestic lion, the king of the savanna, serves as the highest-paying symbol. This isn't surprising – it embodies the game's theme perfectly. A full line of six lions can yield a payout of 0.5 times the player's bet, when six of these symbols appear on the reels. Elephants, giraffes, and zebras follow, offering progressively lower payouts. The hyena, often depicted as a scavenger, occupies a lower rung, with six hyenas providing a 0.1 times the bet win. This is quite common for slots, which often use these animals in the same value order.

The lower end of the spectrum is represented by the familiar card symbols (J, Q, K, A), stylized to blend with the overall aesthetic. For example, six Aces or Kings on the reels would yield 0.05 and 0.04 times the bet respectively. The inclusion of these card symbols is a standard practice in slot design, serving as a bridge between the higher-value thematic symbols and providing more frequent, albeit smaller, wins. It's noteworthy that even with the seemingly low base payouts, the cascading reels mechanic and the escalating multiplier can quickly turn a series of consecutive wins into a substantial payout. If you don't quite understand the specifics of multipliers or the “ways to win” system, it's recommended to run the demo version of “Safari King” and access the in-game help by pressing the “(i)” button for a more detailed explanation of these features.

Bonus Features: Wilds and Scatters

The Wild symbol, represented by a paw print, plays a crucial role in enhancing winning potential. It can substitute for any other symbol except the Scatter. There are two types of Wilds in the game: a standard “Single Wild” and a “WILDx2”. The latter not only substitutes but also doubles the payout of any winning combination it's a part of. Moreover, if multiple WILDx2 symbols appear in a single winning combination, their multipliers are multiplied together. It's worth noting that dropped and filled Wild symbols will appear as single Wilds only.

The Scatter symbol is key to unlocking the free spins feature. Landing four Scatters triggers 10 free spins, with each additional Scatter granting an extra 5 spins. This means that six Scatters will award a generous 20 free spins. Free spins use the same bet amount as the game that triggered them. The free spins mode significantly increases the potential for massive wins. The multipliers are doubled to x2, x4, x6, and x10. Furthermore, getting three Scatters during the free game awards another 5 free spins, and for each extra Scatter, the player receives 5 additional free spins.

Golden Frame Feature

One of the most distinguishing features of “Safari King” is its Golden Frame mechanic. Before each spin or cascade, after all symbols land, a golden frame randomly appears on the grid, encompassing a certain number of symbol positions, it can vary in size from a single symbol (1×1) up to a massive 5×6 grid. This frame isn't just a visual flourish – it's a crucial game mechanic. If symbols within this frame contribute to a winning combination and are eliminated, they transform into Wild symbols before the next cascade.

In the free spins mode, this feature becomes even more potent. Two golden frames roam the reels. If these frames overlap and enclose a symbol that forms part of a winning combination, that symbol transforms into a WILDx2, offering even greater payout potential.

Final Thoughts and Verdict

“Safari King” by TaDa Gaming provides an engaging and rewarding experience. The combination of cascading reels, escalating multipliers, and the unique Golden Frame mechanic creates a dynamic and unpredictable gameplay loop. The free spins mode, with its enhanced multipliers and the double Golden Frames, can lead to truly substantial wins (maximum win odds of 10,000x). I would definitely recommend giving it a try. High volatility might not be for everyone, but the potential rewards make it worth considering. The game caters to a more seasoned audience that appreciates complex mechanics and the thrill of high-risk, high-reward gameplay. The maximum payout of 2,000,000 speaks for itself, but reaching this cap immediately ends the game round, a rule that players should be aware of.