Introduction to Wild West Duels
Hey there, players! Get ready to step into the frontier with Wild West Duels, a new online slot from Pragmatic Play. While the Wild West theme has been ridden hard in the world of slots, this one takes a different stride. Set in a dusty frontier town that seems to have seen better days, you can almost feel the tumbleweeds rolling by and hear the distant echo of an old saloon piano. The soundtrack sets the mood well, though some might find the xylophone-like sounds during win count-ups a bit offbeat.
Symbolism and Gameplay Mechanics
In terms of gameplay, Wild West Duels features 10 regular symbols ranging from wanted posters and neckties to character symbols with varying payouts. Matching five symbols can award anywhere from 1x to 20x the bet, depending on the symbol. The bag of gold wild symbol appears on all reels, substituting for any regular symbol to help form winning combinations. During the base game or the Duel feature, wilds can randomly expand to cover an entire reel. In the Duel feature, two gunslingers face off, with the winner adding a multiplier ranging from x2 to x100 to any 90jili wilds on the reels. This exciting feature triggers expansions only when it contributes to a winning combination.
Beer Game Bonus Round
That brings us to three special symbols which are used to trigger Wild West Duels’ three bonus rounds – the Beer Game, the Duel, and Lost Relics. When you land 3 or more Beer Game scatters in Wild West Duels, you’ll unlock 10 free spins in the Beer Game feature. Here, the wild beer mug symbol plays a pivotal role: each time it appears, it receives a random multiplier of either x2 or x3. Once assigned, these multipliers remain fixed in place until the end of the round. They significantly enhance any wins they contribute to, with their values combining when multiple wilds are in play. It’s important to note that expanding wilds do not factor into this feature, and unfortunately, it cannot be retriggered once initiated.
Duel Bonus Round
When you land 3 or more Duel scatters in Wild West Duels, you’ll trigger 10 free Duel spins. This bonus round introduces expanding wilds, adding an exciting twist to your gameplay experience. Every free spin guarantees that at least one wild symbol will appear in a random position on the reels, potentially creating significant winning combinations. It’s important to note that, unlike some games, this round cannot be retriggered. This means that once you’ve used up your initial 10 free Duel spins, you’ll return to the base game.
Lost Relics Bonus Round
When you land at least 3 Lost Relics scatters in Wild West Duels, you’ll activate the Lost Relics round, which starts with 3 free spins. Before the spins commence, players participate in a picking game where they select 9 out of 25 shovels displayed on the screen. Each shovel reveals either a guaranteed wild symbol or a random multiplier. The wild symbols can have values of 1, 2, 3, or 5, while multipliers range from x1 to x5. Once the picks are made, the free spins begin. During each spin, the number of wild symbols you picked will land in random positions on the reels, ensuring enhanced opportunities for wins. Additionally, every win you achieve during these spins will be multiplied by the multiplier value you selected earlier. It’s worth noting that expanding wilds are not a part of this feature, and similar to the other bonus rounds in Wild West Duels, the Lost Relics round cannot be retriggered. This means you 90jili get one opportunity to maximize your winnings with the wilds and multipliers you’ve selected during the picking game.
Buy Free Spins Option
In Wild West Duels, players have the option to purchase any of the three bonus rounds, provided it’s permissible in their region. Each bonus round comes with a different price tag. The Beer Game can be purchased for 100 times the current bet. The Duel bonus costs 200 times the current bet. The Lost Relics round is the most expensive, priced at 400 times the current bet. It’s important to note that the return to player (RTP) remains consistent whether the player buys the bonus round or triggers it through regular gameplay. This ensures fairness and transparency in how bonuses are accessed and their potential outcomes, regardless of whether they are purchased or earned during standard play.
Comparing to Competitors
Wild West Duels by Pragmatic Play draws striking similarities to Hacksaw Gaming’s Wanted Dead or a Wild, which premiered about a year and a half earlier. Despite some differences, the core essence and thematic elements strongly resemble each other. Pragmatic Play may have relied on the hope that memories of Hacksaw Gaming’s title would fade over time, or perhaps they proceeded with their version without significant consideration for potential perceptions. This kind of imitation is not uncommon in the competitive landscape of online gambling, where successful ideas often inspire similar adaptations.
Final Verdict on Wild West Duels
Setting aside these comparisons, Wild West Duels stands out as an exhilarating Western-themed slot, albeit one with moments of intense gameplay. Its bonus features can either align seamlessly to deliver significant rewards or falter, making the decision to purchase them a risky proposition, especially based on test sessions. However, the game boasts substantial winning potential, reaching up to 20,000 times the bet, 90jili which exceeds the original Wanted Dead or a Wild by a considerable margin. This high potential payout could prove to be a compelling draw for prospective players.
Conclusion
Yet, despite its impressive rewards, Wild West Duels falls short in terms of originality compared to the groundbreaking artwork, gameplay dynamics, and immersive atmosphere that characterized Wanted Dead or a Wild. While Wild West Duels can be appreciated as an engaging game, its primary appeal may stem from borrowing its best features from a competitor rather than forging entirely new ground. Nevertheless, for those looking for a new adventure in the Wild West, this game offers plenty of action and excitement, with the unique Duel feature adding a fresh twist to the familiar theme. So, saddle up and see if you have what it takes to conquer the Wild West Duels with 90jili!
