Amun’s Book HD Deluxe

Zeusplay’s “Amun’s Book Deluxe” revisits the popular ancient Egyptian theme, but it does so with a focus on refined mechanics and a surprisingly layered bonus structure, rather than relying on flashy visuals alone. While the theme itself is familiar, the developer, Zeusplay, approaches it with a confident execution that will appeal to seasoned slot players seeking more than just surface-level aesthetics. This is a game that prioritizes engaging gameplay, which is evident in its core mechanics and bonus features.

Unlocking the Secrets: Bonus Features and Special Symbols

The heart of “Amun’s Book Deluxe” lies in its intricate Free Spins feature, triggered by the all-important Book symbol, which acts as both Wild and Scatter. This dual role is common, but the depth of the feature is where the game truly shines.

Landing three or more Book symbols initiates the Free Spins round, awarding an initial 8 free spins. However, the potential extends far beyond this. Before the Free Spins begin, a special expanding symbol is randomly chosen from the standard paytable symbols (excluding the Book itself).

This is where “Amun’s Book Deluxe” begins to differentiate itself. The expanding symbol isn’t simply a passive element. When it appears on a reel during the Free Spins, it expands to cover all three positions, potentially forming multiple winning combinations across the 10 fixed paylines. What truly elevates this is that the expanding symbol pays according to its paytable value, regardless of whether the symbols are on consecutive reels. This means a winning combination can be formed even if the expanding symbols are on reels 1, 3, and 5, for example – a significant departure from standard left-to-right payline requirements.

But the feature’s depth doesn’t stop there. If you land three or more Book symbols during the Free Spins, you not only retrigger 8 additional free spins, but another special expanding symbol is selected. This can occur multiple times, potentially leading to up to nine different expanding symbols active simultaneously.

Imagine the scenario: you have several expanding symbols active, and a few of them land on different reels. Each expands, filling the reels, and payouts are calculated for each expanding symbol separately. This creates a compounding effect, where wins are multiplied significantly. If you find certain areas of the bonus feature unclear, launch the demo version of the slot and open the game’s built-in help by clicking “(i)” for full clarification. This creates an engaging and powerful bonus game.

Aesthetic and Artistic Direction: Temples and Tombs

The visual presentation of “Amun’s Book Deluxe” adopts a classic Egyptian aesthetic, and it performs well. The backdrop depicts a dimly lit tomb entrance, with hieroglyph-covered stone blocks framing the reels. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, golds, and deep blues – creating a grounded and slightly mysterious atmosphere.

The symbols themselves are well-rendered, featuring familiar Egyptian iconography. You’ll find the standard playing card symbols (10, J, Q, K, A), stylized with an Egyptian flair. Higher-value symbols include a scarab beetle, a winged cobra, a pharaoh’s mask, and a female adventurer reminiscent of classic adventure tales.

The animation, while not overly elaborate, serves its purpose effectively. Winning combinations are highlighted with a subtle golden glow, and the expansion of the special symbols is accompanied by a satisfying visual and sound effect. A particularly striking detail is the animation of the Book symbol itself – the pages turning and a radiant light emanating from within, signifying its importance in the gameplay.

The Mechanics: Paylines, Symbols and Gameplay

“Amun’s Book Deluxe” operates on a 5×3 reel grid with 10 fixed paylines. This means the player always bets on all 10 lines, and the bet amount is adjusted per line. The game is easy to understand.

The symbols, as mentioned earlier, represent a mix of lower-value playing card symbols and higher-value themed icons. The paytable reveals a significant difference in value between these two groups, highlighting the importance of landing the higher-value symbols, especially during the Free Spins.

The Book symbol holds supreme power. As a Wild, it substitutes for all other symbols to complete winning combinations. As a Scatter, it triggers the Free Spins and pays out independently of paylines. Moreover, even outside of the Free Spins, the Book symbol offers a substantial payout for combinations of three or more.

The interplay between the standard symbols and the Book symbol is crucial. In the base game, the focus is on forming standard payline wins and aiming to trigger the Free Spins. Once the Free Spins are activated, the game shifts gear.

I am not very fond of the theme of Ancient Egypt, because the theme of Ancient Egypt is very, very often used in slots. At the same time, the mechanics of the game deserve praise and I definitely recommend this slot to play!