Introduction to The Dog House Dog or Alive
What could be more heartwarming than a beloved, fluffy lap dog? Perhaps envisioning that furry friend donning a ten-gallon hat and transforming into a charming little cowboy. Developer Pragmatic Play brings this delightful image to life in their beloved slot game, The Dog House, transporting our canine companions from the serene suburbs to the rugged terrain of the Old West, all while tweaking the sticky wild free spins feature for added excitement.
A Canine Adventure in the Wild West
Dubbed The Dog House Dog or Alive, our furry friends have seamlessly embraced their new Western surroundings. The imposing brown pooch assumes the role of sheriff, puffing on a cigar as it stands proudly beside the gaming grid. The backdrop mirrors a typical frontier shanty town, characterized by wooden structures, dusty streets, and an atmosphere so authentic one could almost expect tumbleweeds to roll by at any moment. It’s a stark departure from the mundane weekend chores and urban relaxation depicted in the original slot.
Gameplay Mechanics and Betting Range
The game’s highly volatile nature is hinted at by the presence of bullet holes scattered across the top wooden bar of the 5×3 game grid. The default RTP stands at 96.52%, though this figure slightly increases when purchasing free spins. Players can wager between 80 cents and P1000 per spin, with payouts awarded for landing matching symbols from the leftmost side of the grid across adjacent reels. The paytable features wooden card ranks from 10 to Ace at the lower end, followed by thematic items such as a bone, a collar, and four unique canine character symbols.
Symbol Values and Payouts
Achieving five matching royal symbols yields 1.25 to 2.5 times the bet, while other combinations range from 5 to 37.5 times the bet for a five-of-a-kind outcome. This variety in payouts ensures that both low and high-stakes players can enjoy the game, finding their sweet spot within the betting range and symbol values. Pragmatic Play has balanced the game to cater to different types of players, haha777, ensuring broad appeal.
Wild Multipliers and Winning Combinations
Wild Multipliers are a game feature where wild symbols act as substitutes for all symbols except scatters, and they exclusively appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. Upon landing, each wild symbol carries a random multiplier of either x2 or x3, which then applies to any winning combinations the wild symbol contributes to. In instances where multiple wild symbols contribute to a win, the multipliers of all relevant wilds are summed together and applied cumulatively to the winning combination.
Triggering the Free Spins Round
During gameplay, Vault scatter symbols emerge on reels 1, 3, and 5. Landing three of these scatters triggers the coveted free spins round, accompanied by a payout worth 5 times the initial bet. Prior to the commencement of the bonus round, a thrilling free spins randomizer unfolds, determining the number of initial free spins awarded. Once the free spins are underway, any wild symbols landing on reels 2, 3, or 4 remain fixed in position for the entire duration of the round, enhancing the potential for big wins.
Progressive Features and Additional Free Spins
These sticky wilds also possess random multipliers, which are unveiled upon their arrival on the grid. Moreover, the excitement escalates when players land 3, 6, or 9 wild symbols during the free spins extravaganza, as this achievement triggers an additional allocation of +3 free spins. Simultaneously, the multiplier of all wilds currently adorning the screen is doubled, elevating the anticipation of lucrative rewards. Notably, scatter symbols do not make an appearance during the free spins phase, haha777, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the exhilarating gameplay without interruption.
Purchasing Free Spins
Accessing the thrilling sticky wild free spins round can be expedited by purchasing it for 120 times the initial bet. Opting for this method to trigger the feature maintains an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.54%. This option provides players with an immediate chance to experience the game’s most exciting feature without waiting for it to occur naturally during gameplay, making it a tempting choice for those eager for instant action.
The Verdict on The Dog House Dog or Alive
Believe it or not, The Dog House was nearly 5 years old by the time of this review, yet it remained a prominent fixture in Pragmatic Play’s lineup, with several iterations keeping it fresh in players’ minds. Between The Dog House Dog or Alive and the original version, a Megaways adaptation and a Multihold edition with four gaming grids emerged, showcasing innovative twists on the classic theme. However, Pragmatic Play opted to keep gimmicks to a minimum with The Dog House Dog or Alive, as the features remained largely faithful to the original.
Despite the anticipation for technical advancements, particularly after the shift from suburban settings to the Wild West, the game’s upgrades were more subtle. Notably, the new progressive feature comes into play during the free spins round, offering additional excitement with doubled wild multiplier values and an increased win cap of up to 10,000 times the initial bet. However, the presence of charming canine characters doesn’t guarantee universal appeal, as the appearance of wilds during free spins can be unpredictable. While some players may find them elusive, haha777, others may enjoy the added thrill they bring. Ultimately, The Dog House Dog or Alive has the potential to be just as enjoyable as the original, if not more so, for those who appreciate its charms. Nevertheless, given the passage of time since the release of The Dog House, it remains to be seen whether The Dog House Dog or Alive will receive the same level of adoration.
