4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing Demo

“4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing,” a collaborative creation from 4ThePlayer and Yggdrasil Gaming, merges the seafaring spirit of the “4 Fantastic Fish” series with the ferocity of the “Vikings Go” franchise. The result is not a mere reskin of old ideas but a fresh take on the theme of hitting cash symbols as winning combinations. This game will appeal to those who appreciate a game with an abundance of interwoven mechanics, presented with a visual style that can be described as a stylized, cartoonish take on Norse mythology, with a palette that blends icy blues with the warm hues of the Viking characters and symbols.

It stands apart from typical fishing-themed slots with a unique blend of features that demand attention. The game’s interface is designed with clarity, presenting all the necessary information without clutter, allowing players to focus on the action unfolding on the reels.

The Mechanics of the Voyage

“4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing” operates on a 6×4 grid, offering 4,096 ways to win. This is not a simple left-to-right payline system; it’s a dynamic arrangement where each spin can surprise with its combinations. The betting range is wide, accommodating both cautious players and high rollers, with a minimum bet of €/£ 0.10 and a maximum of €/£ 80. It’s important to highlight that the game boasts high volatility, meaning wins may be less frequent but can be significant when they occur, reaching up to 12,500x the stake. The frequency of hits is 23.06%

The hit frequency of 23.06% is an interesting detail, indicating that nearly a quarter of spins will result in some form of win, keeping players engaged with regular action. This, coupled with the high volatility, suggests a game that balances regular engagement with the potential for substantial payouts. Each spin is a calculated risk, with the anticipation of a big win always on the horizon.

Wins are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The symbols range from various coins to thematic icons like an octopus, a bird, and four distinct Viking characters. Wild symbols substitute for all symbols except scatters, appearing on all reels except the first. The game offers two RTP settings, with the highest being a 94% return to player rate. This is a crucial consideration for seasoned players who understand the long-term implications of RTP.

Braving the Bonus Features

The core of “4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing” lies in its intricate bonus features. Let’s dissect each one:

Money Ways & Big Game Prizes: A standout feature is the Money Ways mechanic, where cash symbols landing in winning formations award their displayed value. The value of these symbols escalates from left to right, creating a sense of progression and anticipation with each spin. Reels can feature cash values ranging from up to 1.8x on the first reel to a substantial 50x on the sixth reel. This reel is also home to the Big Game Prizes – Big (100x), Super (250x), Mega (1,000x), and Ultra (5,000x) – which are awarded when part of a winning combination with other cash symbols. This setup is a clear departure from standard slot mechanics, providing a unique twist to the pursuit of wins.

Fighting Respin Bonus: Triggered by landing three or more scatters, this feature is a deep dive into strategic gameplay. Each reel with a scatter is unlocked, while the others remain locked. Cash prizes present during the triggering spin are locked on open reels. New cash symbols on open reels lock in place, while those on locked reels do not. The goal is to keep landing cash symbols or scatters to reset the respins to three. Landing a scatter on a locked reel unlocks it for subsequent spins, increasing the potential for wins. The initial trigger of three scatters unlocks three reels, but each additional scatter unlocks another reel.

Shark Feature: During the Fighting Respin Bonus, filling an unlocked reel with cash prizes summons a shark. This shark is not an adversary but an ally, collecting all prizes on the reel, multiplying their total by two, and storing the sum in the reel’s top position. This clears the reel for more symbols, effectively doubling the potential of a filled reel.

Viking Fights: This is where the “Vikings Go” influence becomes apparent. Viking symbols, each with their own unique modifier, can appear during the respins. Each Viking symbol that lands triggers a fight, and if the Viking wins, they award their specific modifier:

• Gunnar Collector: Gathers all visible cash prizes.
• Yngve Incrementor: Boosts all cash prizes by values ranging from 2X to 15X.
• Knut Multiplier: Places a multiplier (2X to 20X) on one or more reel positions, applied to any cash prizes that land there.
• Sigrid Nets: Positions nets on one or more reel positions, guaranteeing a cash prize on the next respin.

Vikings can also be “Berzerk” which means they automatically win their fights. The collection of coins above reels 3 to 6 can lead to the triggering of the respin bonus, with the triggering Viking becoming Berzerk. This adds another layer of strategy and anticipation to the gameplay. If players find any aspect of these complex bonus interactions unclear, the demo version of the slot offers a built-in help function (accessed by pressing ‘i’) that provides detailed explanations.

Giant Squid Bonus: A random event where the Giant Squid can rearrange fish symbols. In the base game, it can improve or create fish symbol wins. In the respins, it can move a fish symbol from a locked to an unlocked reel, potentially triggering more significant wins.

A Closer Look at Symbolism

The symbols in “4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing” are not just placeholders; they are integral to the game’s narrative and mechanics. The high-paying symbols – Sigrid, Knut, Yngve, and Gunnar – each bring a unique personality to the reels, further emphasized during the Viking Fights. Even the lower-paying symbols, represented by coins and thematic items like a seagull and an octopus, are designed to fit seamlessly within the game’s aesthetic.

The Wild symbol, emblazoned with the word “Wild,” is a straightforward yet crucial element, aiding in the completion of winning combinations. The Scatter symbol, depicted as a female Viking with the word “Respins,” is the key to unlocking the game’s most intricate feature, the Fighting Respin Bonus.

Strategic Considerations and Final Musings

“4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing” is a slot that rewards strategic thinking. The interplay between the Money Ways, Big Game Prizes, and the Fighting Respin Bonus creates a complex yet rewarding system. Players must consider not just the immediate spin but also the potential to unlock reels, trigger Viking Fights, and utilize the Shark and Giant Squid features to their maximum advantage.

This game is not for those seeking a passive slot experience. It demands attention, understanding, and a willingness to embrace its complexities. I do not recommend this slot to beginners. For the experienced player, however, “4 Fantastic Vikings Go Fishing” offers a rich tapestry of features and mechanics that can lead to substantial rewards. The game’s high volatility and the potential for a 12,500x max win make it a thrilling prospect for those willing to brave its stormy seas.