Spartacus Megaways Slot Review
One of the pioneers in slot development, WMS, takes players on an epic journey with swords and sandals in their Roman-themed slot Spartacus Megaways. Leveraging their Megaways license, WMS/SG Digital follows up on their land-based classic Spartacus: Gladiator of Rome with this new iteration. The original slot featured a complex setup with dual 5×4 + 5×12 grids. The newer Megaways version simplifies the grid while multiplying win ways by 10,000 and introducing a couple of new features.
The name Spartacus is synonymous with pop culture, thanks to his legendary status as a gladiator who led a slave uprising against the Roman army. Often depicted in romanticized epics in movies or TV shows, the theme receives a similar treatment in Spartacus Megaways.
Set in a columned area, the game utilizes thick red curtains, creating a theatrical atmosphere. The grid comprises 6 main reels and a horizontal 4-position reel. Unlike tradition, the bonus reels are situated at the bottom.
Accompanying the gameplay is a stirring soundtrack, reminiscent of biblical/mythological films from the 70s, complete with electric guitar solos that add an epic touch. On each spin, a varying number of symbols land, ranging from 2 to 10 on the main reels. With the bonus reel, the game can produce up to 1 million win ways, far exceeding the typical 117,649 found in Megaways slots.
Playable from 20 p/c to $/€20 per spin, Spartacus Megaways boasts a solid RTP of 96.32%, which is above average and higher than the original. While volatility isn’t as intense as being thrown to the lions, it still leans towards the higher end.
The paytable features 12 symbols, categorized into low and high groups. The low symbols include Roman-fonted 9-A royals, while the high symbols consist of axes, swords, helmets, tigers, gladiators, and the game’s logo. Rewards range from 25x for six logos to 7.5x for the gladiator.
In an unusual twist, the wild symbol appears only on the main 6 reels, not on the bottom reel. It substitutes for all symbols except the Amphitheatre bonus symbol.
Spartacus Megaways offers several features, including cascades during all phases of the game, a curtain dynamic, and a round of free spins.
Landing a winning combination triggers the cascade feature, removing winning symbols to allow new ones to fall into place, potentially creating chains of consecutive combinations. Each win raises a win multiplier by +1 with no limit on how high it can go.
On every spin, a random number of reel positions are covered by red curtains. A win removes the curtain from one position on a random reel, expanding the win ways and increasing the chances of additional cascades.
To trigger free spins, you need 4 or more Amphitheatre symbols. A wheel then awards between 6 – 16 free spins and a specific curtain configuration. The curtain pattern remains static throughout the feature, offering potential benefits or hindrances.
During free spins, every wild expands to cover the full reel, including any curtain-covered positions. Additionally, 3 or more visible scatters re-award the same number of free spins. Curtain patterns remain unchanged for retriggers.
Fans of Spartacus: Gladiator of Rome seeking a slot with a million ways to win will find Spartacus Megaways exhilarating. While not straightforward, fans of the original may enjoy the experience. While Megaways has streamlined the grids, WMS stays true to the original’s extravagant nature.
Does the experiment succeed? To some extent. The increased win ways offer more excitement, but the immovable curtains during free spins present challenges. If you’re unlucky with locked curtains, free spins may feel more limited than the base game.
While Spartacus Megaways may not replicate the success of Spartacus: Gladiator of Rome, it still possesses a certain charm, particularly for fans of the physical slot. The concept of a million Megaways is intriguing, despite the curtains hindering possibilities.
Spartacus Megaways Slot Information
Title: Spartacus Megaways
Developer: SG Digital
Reels: 6
Rows: 2-10
Paylines: Up to 1 Million
RTP: 96.32%
Hit Freq: 1/3.31
Max Win: 12,500x
Volatility: High
Min/Max Bet: 0.20/20
Release Date: September 15, 2020