Introduction to Pragmatic Play’s Megaways Debut
The buzz you may have picked up on the horizon isn’t a frenzy of wild creatures; it’s the buzz surrounding Pragmatic Play’s debut Megaways-powered slot. Confirming the acquisition of a sought-after license from Big Time Gaming for their renowned game engine, Pragmatic Play haha777 steps into a new realm. However, rather than pioneering a fresh concept to flaunt their capabilities, the developer opts for a more conservative approach, as you’ll soon discover.
Great Rhino Gets the Megaways Treatment
Pragmatic Play revamps one of its existing titles, the wildlife-infused, nature-centric slot Great Rhino, with the Megaways treatment. While the original enjoyed popularity, it wasn’t exactly a standout classic. So, how does the Megaways transformation shake up the game? The initial impression is pleasing but lacks the groundbreaking features haha777 to incite significant excitement.
Visuals and Sound Design
The scenery is picturesque, with a golden hue bathing the African plains, a hallmark of the genre. What truly stands out initially is the serene ambiance crafted by the soothing sounds of nature in the background. However, the tranquility is abruptly interrupted by the thunderous drum effects that are synonymous with African-themed slots haha777 whenever the spin button is pressed. The revamped version represents a subtle enhancement over the original, serving as a quintessential example of a Megaways slot.
Game Mechanics and Layout
Pragmatic Play fully harnesses the mechanical advantages of Megaways in this rendition. Players are greeted with 6 reels adorned with 2 to 7 symbols each, alongside a horizontal bonus reel featuring an additional position above reels 2 to 5. At maximum capacity, this configuration offers a staggering 200,704 ways to win. The game adopts a cascading symbols system, wherein a winning combination triggers a cascade effect, causing the winning symbols to vanish and new ones to cascade into the vacated spaces. This cycle persists until no new winning haha777 combinations emerge, signaling the commencement of the next spin.
Symbol Changes and Wilds
While the symbols remain reminiscent of the original, there have been subtle alterations. Notably, the rhino now serves as the wild symbol and exclusively appears on the bonus reel above the fourth symbol reel. This majestic creature can substitute for any other pay symbol in the game and is accompanied by a charming animation upon activation. The paytable comprises 5 low-paying and 5 high-paying symbols, with the low-paying symbols sporting a fresh wooden, tribal design that seamlessly integrates with the theme. On the high-paying side, players encounter flamingos, hyenas, crocodiles, newly introduced gorillas, and cheetahs. Payout values span from 1.5 times the stake for six flamingos to an impressive 50 times the stake for six cheetahs.
Free Spins and Bonus Features
Great Rhino Megaways isn’t exactly overflowing with features, but its primary mechanic centers around the golden rhino coin scatter symbol. When four or more of these symbols land on the reels, they trigger the highly anticipated free spins round. Before embarking on this thrilling adventure, players are presented with four enticing options, each haha777 offering distinct rules and varying levels of volatility:
- 15 free spins with an initial win multiplier of 1x.
- 10 free spins with an initial win multiplier of 5x.
- 5 free spins with an initial win multiplier of 10x.
- Mystery Choice, offering a random number of free spins and a random starting win multiplier.
The Ante Bet Feature
In addition to the free spins feature, players may encounter the Ante Bet option. This feature allows players to increase their bet settings from the default value of 20 to 25. By doing so, more scatter symbols are added to the reels, effectively doubling the chance of triggering free spins, enhancing the gameplay experience for those seeking heightened thrills.
Verdict on Great Rhino Megaways
Great Rhino Megaways may not be breaking new ground in terms of innovation. It’s a typical example of a developer’s cautious foray into the Megaways arena, as Pragmatic Play’s debut release in this genre demonstrates. While the game is well-crafted, it lacks the excitement and novelty that often sparks conversations among players. From the haha777 familiar theme to the rehashed elements from older games, including the free spins option reminiscent of Blueprint Gaming’s offerings, Pragmatic Play opts for a safe and somewhat predictable route.
Conclusion: Future Prospects
However, it doesn’t stumble clumsily like some other Megaways debuts, such as Raging Rhino Megaways. The graphics are respectable, animations run smoothly, and the gameplay is reliable and polished. It delivers the quintessential Megaways experience without any major hiccups. With the potential capped at 20,000 times the stake, the game offers decent winning possibilities, though achieving such lofty heights relies heavily on the single extra feature. While technically proficient, it’s disappointing that Pragmatic Play played it safe with their debut, borrowing heavily from existing formulas. However, this marks just the beginning of Pragmatic’s journey into the Megaways realm, leaving us curious about their future direction—will they continue with a conservative haha777 approach or strive for more originality? Only time will tell.
Final Thoughts
In summary, Great Rhino Megaways is a competent entry into the Megaways genre, but it doesn’t push the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from such games. For fans of the original and those who enjoy Megaways mechanics, it offers a solid, albeit familiar, experience. Pragmatic Play’s cautious approach may leave some players wanting more, but it also sets the stage for potential future innovations. As they gain confidence in this new territory, we can hope for more daring and inventive titles that truly showcase their creative potential.
