Big Bass Splash

Big Bass Splash, a creation of Pragmatic Play, calls slot players to revisit the familiar waters of the Big Bass series. The slot greets players with a vibrant underwater setting. The backdrop is a lively scene filled with moving fish and swaying aquatic plants. Above the water’s surface, rocky terrain gives way to a highway, where the prized monster truck of the game subtly hints at its presence.

The music of the game masterfully blends a country vibe with a touch of “Jaws” theme mystery, enhancing the fishing atmosphere. The game’s symbols are designed in a cartoonish style, yet they maintain a clean and sharp appearance. The fisherman’s wild symbol adds a touch of life to the reels, with his jovial expression. The leaping bass scatter symbol, a hallmark of the series, is well-executed and instantly recognizable. While the design doesn’t break new ground, it’s a polished and enjoyable take on the familiar theme. The slot’s aquatic life is beautifully designed, with animation adding a sense of movement and depth.

Gameplay Mechanics: Familiar Yet Refreshed

Big Bass Splash presents a traditional 5-reel, 3-row layout with 10 fixed paylines. Wins are awarded for matching symbols from left to right, a standard mechanic well-known to experienced slot players. The betting range is generous, starting from 0.10 and going up to 250 per spin, accommodating both casual players and high rollers. The game is characterized by high volatility (rated 4 out of 5), meaning wins may be less frequent, but have the potential to be substantial when they land. The stated RTP (Return to Player) stands at 96.71%, but it’s important to check the in-game information as it can change from casino to casino.

The paytable consists of familiar symbols, starting with the 10-through-A royals. They are joined by thematic symbols like dragonflies, tackle boxes, fishing rods, and the new addition – a monster truck. The fish symbols again double as money symbols, each carrying a random value (2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, 100x, 200x, 500x, 1666x, 2500x or 5000x your total bet) that comes into play during the bonus features. The bearded fisherman serves as the wild symbol, substituting for regular pay symbols to complete winning lines. However, he only appears during the Free Spins round. A leaping bass is the scatter symbol, responsible for triggering the much-anticipated Free Spins feature.

Dive Into the Free Spins: Modifiers and Multipliers

Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols awards 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. If only two scatters land, there is a chance for a third one to appear through one of two random features: a respin where the scatters move one position down without leaving the reel area, or a hook animation that pulls up an additional scatter onto the reels.

Before the free spins commence, 0 to 5 random modifiers are applied to the bonus round, selected from a list of potential enhancements:

• More Fish: Adds extra fish money symbols to the reels.
• More Fisherman: Introduces more wild fisherman symbols.
• More Dynamites, Hooks, and Bazookas: Increases the chances of triggering random features.
• Start From Level 2: The bonus round begins at the second level of the progressive feature.
• +2 Spins: The free spins round starts with two additional spins, and each re-trigger also adds an extra two spins.

During the free spins, each wild symbol that lands also collects the values from any fish money symbols present on the screen. Wilds are collected on a meter above the reels. Every fourth wild collected re-triggers the feature, adding 10 more free spins and increasing the multiplier for fish money symbol collection. This multiplier starts at 2x for the first re-trigger, increasing to 3x for the second, and reaching 10x for the third and final re-trigger.

Several random features can also spice up the bonus round. When a fisherman wild is on the reels without fish symbols, a dynamite animation may add fish symbols to random positions. If there are fish symbols but no fisherman, a hook animation may pull a reel up to reveal a fisherman wild. Also, when a fisherman wild is present without any fish symbols, a bazooka animation can transform all symbols except the fisherman into something else.

If players want to try their luck at triggering the free spins more quickly, they can utilize the “Buy Free Spins” option for a cost of 100x the current total bet. Doing so instantly lands 3, 4, or 5 scatters randomly on the subsequent spin.

For those who want to delve deeper into the workings of the modifiers or any other aspect of the game, demo mode is an excellent way to explore the paytable. If the meaning of the bonus features is unclear, launch the demo version of the slot and open the built-in help of the game by clicking the button (i).

Final Thoughts

Big Bass Splash does not revolutionize the online slot world, but it offers a well-rounded and enjoyable gaming experience with great math, features and characteristics. The bonus round, with its modifiers and escalating multipliers, provides excitement. This game will surely appeal to those who enjoy high-volatility slots with the potential for big wins. Overall, Big Bass Splash is a solid addition to the Big Bass series and a game I would definitely recommend. The game is undoubtedly aimed at an audience that appreciates a good dose of fishing-themed action, especially those familiar with its predecessors.