Yggdrasil Unveils New Game Enhancement Mechanic in Upcoming Slot
On September 20, 2024, via a press release, Yggdrasil Gaming’s management announced the release (September 24, 2024) of a new video slot titled “Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds™.” This new addition to the company’s game library incorporates the company’s revolutionary GEM game-play innovation. For the people who don’t know GEM, it stands for Game Engagement Mechanic. RushingWilds joins several other proprietary GEM games including:
- Splitz
- MultiMax
- GigaBlox
- DoubleMax
- FastPot5
- WildEnergy
- TopHit
Note: The innovation of the GEM technology was created to enhance each slot player’s slot-playing experience by adding extra free spin opportunities with escalating multipliers in tow.
Review of Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds
There is no substitute for playing a video slot game if you want to know how the game works. With that in mind, I decided to play a demo version of RushingWilds. Here are my impressions via this review:
Greek mythology is the theme basis for Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds. It’s fair to say this is a fairly attractive game with colorful graphics and a rather pleasing and peaceful audio segment playing in the background. The game’s RTP percentage comes in at a low 94% with a high volatility rating. The RTP percentage is adjustable to as low as 90.5%, which is very low by industry standards. The minimum wager requirement is set at $.20 per spin up to a maximum wager of $10 per spin.
The game-play matrix features 5 reels and 3 rows that create 20 different pay lines. The slot’s low-paying standard symbols are represented by the red-heart gem, purple spade gem, green-diamond gem, and blue-club gem. The higher-paying standard symbols are represented by red & green God symbols and the blue & purple Goddess symbols.
The slot features a wild symbol, which is represented by the Aphrodite RushingWilds symbol, which can be used as a substitute for any of the other symbols, minus the scatter symbol. The wild symbol comes with a random multiplier of up to 5x on a base spin. This same multiplier can escalate up to 19x during free spins (part of the GEM feature).
How the scatter symbol works
The scatter symbol is represented by a golden goblet filled with red wine. Hitting multiple scatter symbols on the same base spin creates the opportunity for free spins as follows:
- Two scatters = 2x multiplier paid on the base game win
- Three scatters = 10 free spins with a 2x multiplier paid on the base game win
- Four scatters = 15 free spins with a 2x multiplier paid on the base game win
- Five scatters = 20 free spins with a 2x multiplier paid on the base game win
Bonus features
During free spins, wild symbols become sticky wild symbols, which create more and bigger wins on subsequent free spins. If free spins are awarded, any wild symbols that appeared on the base game matrix will carry over and stick during free spins. As sticky wilds accumulate, the bonus multiplier is increased by 1x for each sticky wild. That’s how a multiplier of 19x can become a reality. Once a wild symbol appears and sticks on all five reels, five additional free spins are awarded. This can only happen one time during a free spins round.
There is one additional bonus feature titled the “Golden Bet” feature. At an additional cost of 25% times the original bet amount, players can double their chances of winning free spins. This is a mechanical feature that is programmed into the game via the GEM feature.
Even minus any kind of interactive bonus feature, Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds still rates as a nice little video slot. The slot’s low RTP percentage, limited betting ranges, and size of the jackpots won’t have much appeal for “high-rollers”, but novice players should enjoy what the slot has to offer. The real excitement generated by this slot comes from the free spin rounds where the accumulation of sticky wilds can lead to decent wins. When all is said and done, Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds belongs on the bucket list of slot players who like things simple.
About Yggdrasil Gaming LTD.
Yggdrasil was founded in 2013. The company’s main headquarters is located in the online gambling mecca of Malta where 260+ employees work hard to put forth excellence in terms of online video slot games. It’s noteworthy that Yggdrasil operates under the licensing and regulations of the Malta Gaming Authority. With an annual revenue of close to $27 million, the company ranks as one of the top 10 online video slot developers in the world.
The impact this company has had on the iGaming community is positive. Their developers are responsible for creating terrific gaming innovations such as “Boost”, “GATI”, and “GEMs”. It’s the latter innovation that will serve as the focus of this writing as Yggdrasil releases one of its most exciting video slots to date.
Some of Yggdrasil’s most popular games:
- Odin Lightning Blitz
- Book of Evil
- Bison Wilds
- Attack of the Zoobees
- Dragon vs GigaBlox
- Ghost Father
- Vampire Riches
- Of SAbers and Monsters
- Vikings Go Berzerk
- Thor Infinity Reels
Historically, a large number of online casino game software developers will throw out a few simple slots and call themselves software developers. That’s often referred to as “trying to get a piece of the pie.” There’s nothing wrong with companies doing that, but they don’t often contribute much to moving the iGaming community forward.
At the same time, there will be the occasional software developer that will show up on the scene with a plan, a plan to become a top developer that is willing to innovate. Such is the case with Yggdrasil Gaming LTD. and their latest online slot Aphrodite Goes Wild RushingWilds which is sure to be a hit.
Hyping recycled spins as thrilling is so misleading! The cycle’s just stale tedium disguised as exciting. 😠