Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2


Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 Review
Blueprint Gaming casts its line once more into the popular waters of fishing-themed slots with Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2. This title doesn’t just revisit a familiar pond; it deepens the gameplay with a sophisticated system of sequential feature unlocks tied to its central Cash Collect mechanic. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessors in the Big Catch Bass series, this installment introduces a tiered approach where collecting cash prizes gradually grants access to more potent versions of the Fisherman collector symbol. Prepare for mechanics like Lock & Spin respins, Win Stepper reel expansions, and value-boosting Cash Matches. The anticipation builds further with the pre-bonus Pick a Fish feature, allowing strategic enhancement selection before the main Cash Spins round begins. This layered complexity, combined with substantial jackpot potential, offers a significantly more involved angling experience than typically found beneath the serene surface of fishing slots.
Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 Feature Overview Table
Feature Name 64773_3fb158-4e> |
Description 64773_2deb11-b1> |
Trigger / How it Works 64773_163d09-5c> |
---|---|---|
Cash Collect 64773_8f979d-32> |
Awards the cash values displayed on Fish symbols. 64773_9d1f38-f3> |
Land a Fisherman Collect symbol on Reel 1 or Reel 6 simultaneously with any Fish symbols in view. 64773_4b7c7c-b9> |
Lock & Spin 64773_31ce7c-e0> |
Holds initiating Cash Prize symbols and respins active reels until no new Cash Prize symbols land. 64773_d1c13b-aa> |
Unlocks after a standard Cash Collect. Triggered by the ‘Lock & Spin’ Fisherman symbol landing on Reel 1 or 6 with Cash Prize symbols. 64773_3fa480-cf> |
Win Stepper 64773_060d63-b1> |
Expands initiating Cash Prize symbols to fill their entire reel. 64773_808390-4e> |
Unlocks after a Lock & Spin collect. Triggered by the ‘Win Stepper’ Fisherman symbol on Reel 1 or 6 with Cash Prize symbols. 64773_a945b1-9d> |
Cash Match 64773_547c58-89> |
Changes all visible Cash Prize symbols to match the value of the largest Cash Prize symbol in view. 64773_25b386-3c> |
Unlocks after a Win Stepper collect. Triggered by the ‘Cash Match’ Fisherman symbol on Reel 1 or 6 with Cash Prize symbols. 64773_3cb591-9a> |
Multi Collect 64773_c354b9-df> |
Collects all visible Cash Prize symbols repeatedly, up to 5 times (Super Collect variant). 64773_dcdaf5-1b> |
Unlocks after a Cash Match collect. Triggered by the ‘Multi Collect’ Fisherman symbol on Reel 1 or 6 with Cash Prize symbols. 64773_e337ba-0f> |
Big Catch Net 64773_b5ffea-61> |
Collects uncollected Cash Prize or Golden Rod symbols; triggers a Pick-a-Fish for a modifier or prize. 64773_331ab5-36> |
Activates randomly when Cash Prize or Golden Rod symbols land but are not collected by a Fisherman. Pick 1 of 3 fish. 64773_1b90b5-1a> |
Prize Wheel (Big Catch) 64773_9075e4-94> |
Awards Mini (20x), Minor (50x), Major (200x), Mega (12,500x) Jackpots, Bonus Trigger, or Mystery Prize. 64773_5bfe6b-29> |
Possible outcome from the Big Catch Net pick feature. 64773_dbf930-d9> |
Cash Spins 64773_1b3a15-e8> |
Free spins bonus round with an upgrade trail and active unlocked Collector symbols. 64773_8bd334-79> |
Land 3 or more Bonus Scatter symbols. (3=10 spins; 4=10 spins + 20x bet; 5=10 spins + 100x bet; 6=10 spins + 500x bet). 64773_d25d67-4d> |
Pick a Fish Upgrades 64773_5c40ec-46> |
Pre-bonus selection screen allowing players to reveal up to 5 random upgrades for the Cash Spins feature. 64773_a5a66c-e6> |
Activated automatically after triggering Cash Spins, before the first spin. Pick fish to reveal upgrades. 64773_e1f734-94> |
Multiplier Trail 64773_4bc256-61> |
Awards increasing multipliers (x2, x3, x5, x10) and additional spins (+5) during Cash Spins. 64773_ec232f-15> |
Each Fisherman Collect symbol landing during Cash Spins advances the trail position by 1. Reaching positions 3, 6, 9, and 12 awards multiplier/spins. 64773_fad598-ec> |
Jackpots 64773_9f4661-a0> |
Fixed prizes awarded as cash values. 64773_06a28d-f5> |
Land Mini, Minor, Major, or Mega Fish symbols and collect them with any active Fisherman symbol. Values scale with bet (Mega = 12,500x stake). 64773_a9034f-03> |
Game Layout and Technical Specifications
Understanding the technical framework of Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 provides context for its gameplay potential and payout structure.
Reel Structure and Ways to Win
The game operates on an expanded 6-reel grid, typically displaying 4 rows of symbols per reel in the base game. This configuration facilitates a substantial 4,096 ways to win system. Wins are awarded for matching symbols on consecutive reels, starting from the leftmost reel. Unlike traditional paylines, symbol positions on the reels don’t matter as long as they appear on adjacent reels within the winning sequence. Some features, like Win Stepper or the +Fish upgrade, can potentially alter the number of active symbol positions, although the core 6-reel structure remains.
Betting Options
Blueprint Gaming ensures accessibility with a wide betting range. Players can cast their lines with a minimum stake of £0.10 per spin. For those seeking larger catches, the bet can be increased incrementally up to a maximum of £25.00 per spin. This range accommodates both casual players testing the waters and high rollers angling for significant returns, particularly concerning the jackpot fish values which scale directly with the chosen stake.
Return to Player (RTP) and Volatility Profile
Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 features a Return to Player (RTP) rate of 95%. This figure represents the theoretical percentage of wagered money paid back to players over an extended period. It’s important to note that this is a long-term average and short-term results can vary significantly. The game’s volatility is rated as Medium/High. This suggests that wins might be less frequent compared to low-volatility slots, but there’s a higher potential for substantial payouts occurring in shorter periods, especially during the bonus features where multipliers and enhanced collection mechanics come into play. This volatility level suits players who appreciate the potential for larger wins, even if it requires patience between significant catches.
Symbols of the Catch: Paytable and Special Icons
The symbols populating the underwater reels of Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 are a mix of thematic icons and special function symbols crucial for triggering features and landing wins.
Standard Paying Symbols
The higher-value standard symbols are directly related to the fishing theme. In descending order of value, these typically include the Fishing Boat, the Fishing Bobber, the Fishing Rod, the Dragonfly, and the Tackle Box. Landing combinations of 3 to 6 matching symbols on consecutive reels from left to right results in payouts according to the paytable. The lower-value symbols are represented by stylized playing card ranks: A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9. These provide smaller wins for combinations of 3 or more.
Cash Fish and Jackpot Symbols
Central to the game’s collection mechanic are the Fish symbols. These appear with cash values attached, representing instant prizes that can be collected. These values typically range from smaller amounts up to significant multipliers of the current stake. More importantly, four specific types of fish represent the game’s fixed jackpots:
- Mini Fish: Awards 20x the total bet.
- Minor Fish: Awards 50x the total bet.
- Major Fish: Awards 200x the total bet.
- Mega Fish: Awards a substantial 12,500x the total bet.
These jackpot fish function like regular cash fish – their value is only awarded when collected by a Fisherman symbol.
The Crucial Collector (Fisherman) Symbol
The Fisherman symbol is paramount. In its basic form, appearing only on reels 1 and 6, it acts as the Collect symbol. When it lands simultaneously with any Cash Fish or Jackpot Fish symbols, it “reels them in,” awarding their combined values. Progressing through the game unlocks enhanced versions of the Fisherman (Lock & Spin, Win Stepper, Cash Match, Multi Collect), each retaining the collection ability while adding a unique modification to the gameplay upon triggering. During Cash Spins, any unlocked Fisherman symbols become active and also advance the multiplier trail.
Bonus Scatter Symbol
A fish symbol emblazoned with the word “BONUS” serves as the Scatter. Landing 3 or more of these symbols anywhere in view during a single spin triggers the main Cash Spins bonus round. Additional Scatters beyond the triggering three award instant cash prizes alongside the feature entry: 4 Scatters award 20x bet, 5 Scatters award 100x bet, and 6 Scatters award 500x bet, all in addition to initiating the 10 Cash Spins.
Core Gameplay: The Cash Collect and its Evolutions
The heart of Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 lies in its Cash Collect mechanic and the intricate system of upgrades that evolve this core feature over time.
The Standard Cash Collect Mechanic
The foundation of the gameplay loop involves landing Fish symbols carrying various cash values (or jackpot designations) anywhere on reels 1 through 6. These values remain dormant until a standard Fisherman Collect symbol lands on either reel 1 or reel 6 during the same spin. If this occurs, the Fisherman expands to cover his entire reel and collects the sum of all cash values displayed on any Fish symbols currently visible on the grid, awarding the total amount to the player.
Unlocking Enhanced Collectors: A Sequential Journey
A distinguishing aspect of this slot is the progression system for unlocking more powerful versions of the Collector symbol. Each time a specific type of Collect feature successfully triggers and collects cash prizes, the next Collector type in the sequence is unlocked for potential future appearances. This creates a sense of progression, encouraging continued play to access the full suite of features. The unlock order is:
- Standard Cash Collect (Active from the start)
- Lock & Spin
- Win Stepper
- Cash Match
- Multi Collect / Super Collect
Once unlocked, these enhanced collectors remain potentially active in both the main game and subsequent Cash Spins rounds.
Lock & Spin: Holding for More
The first unlockable enhancement is the Lock & Spin Collector. When this specific Fisherman symbol appears on reel 1 or 6 and collects any initiating cash prize symbols, those triggering fish symbols are held in place. The reels containing fish (active reels) then respin. If new cash prize symbols land, they are also held, and the active reels respin again. This process continues until a respin occurs where no new cash prize symbols land on the active reels. At this point, the total value of all held fish is awarded. This feature provides an opportunity to accumulate a larger total catch from a single trigger.
Win Stepper: Expanding the Catch
Following a successful Lock & Spin collection, the Win Stepper Fisherman becomes available. When this Collector lands on reel 1 or 6 and triggers a collection, any initiating cash prize symbols involved in the collection will expand vertically, either up or down, to fill their entire respective reels with stacked instances of that cash prize value. This significantly increases the potential collected amount, especially if multiple fish symbols trigger the feature simultaneously on different reels.
Cash Match: Harmonizing Fish Values
After a Win Stepper collection, the Cash Match Collector can appear. If this Fisherman lands on reel 1 or 6 and collects cash prizes, a unique transformation occurs: all cash prize symbols currently visible anywhere on the reels will have their values changed to match the value of the highest-value cash prize symbol present on that spin. The Fisherman then collects the sum of these potentially inflated values. This can lead to substantial wins if even one high-value fish is present alongside multiple others.
Multi Collect / Super Collect: Repeated Rewards
The final unlockable stage (based on the game’s rules screen mentioning “Super Collect” and collection up to 5 times) is the Multi Collect Fisherman. Triggered by its specific symbol on reel 1 or 6 after a Cash Match collection, this potent collector will repeatedly gather the values of all cash prize symbols in view. The game rules suggest this collection can happen up to 5 times from a single trigger, drastically multiplying the payout from the visible fish values. This represents the pinnacle of the Collector upgrade path in the base game.
The Big Catch Net: A Second Chance Feature
Adding another layer of opportunity, the Big Catch Net feature provides a chance to gain value even when fish symbols land without a corresponding Collector.
Triggering the Net Animation
Once the Big Catch feature is unlocked (typically after the Multi Collect/Super Collect feature has been activated at least once), any subsequent spin where cash prize symbols or Golden Rod symbols land in view but are not collected by a Fisherman might randomly trigger the Big Catch Net. These uncollected symbols are visually added to a net positioned above the reels. Randomly, this net can animate.
Potential Modifiers from the Catch
If the net animates, the player is presented with a “Pick a Fish” scenario, similar to the pre-bonus selection but with different potential outcomes. Choosing one of the presented fish reveals one of the following modifiers or prizes:
- Cash Collect: Collects all cash prize and Golden Rod symbols currently on the reels.
- Collect Add: Adds a standard Collect symbol to either reel 1, reel 6, or potentially both, guaranteeing a collection if fish symbols are present.
- Win Spin: Adds a number of top-paying standard symbols to the reels, guaranteeing a reel win.
- Prize Wheel: Awards a spin on a wheel containing various prizes, including the Mini (20x), Minor (50x), Major (200x), and Mega (12,500x) Jackpots, an instant trigger for the Cash Spins Bonus, or a Mystery cash prize.
This feature adds suspense and recovery potential, turning potentially missed opportunities into significant rewards.
Diving into the Cash Spins Bonus Round
The Cash Spins feature is the main bonus attraction, offering enhanced collection potential through upgrades and multipliers.
Activating the Cash Spins
The bonus round is triggered by landing 3 or more Bonus Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels during a base game spin. Landing just 3 Scatters awards 10 Cash Spins. Landing 4, 5, or 6 Scatters also awards 10 Cash Spins but adds an immediate bet multiplier prize of 20x, 100x, or 500x the total stake, respectively, before the round begins.
Pre-Bonus Power-Ups: The Pick a Fish System Explained
Before the Cash Spins commence, the player enters the crucial Pick a Fish upgrade selection phase. A screen filled with swimming fish appears, and the player picks fish one by one to reveal up to 5 random upgrades (the maximum allowed per feature trigger). These selected upgrades remain active for the entire duration of the subsequent Cash Spins round. Possible upgrades include:
- Increases the value of the lowest paying cash fish symbol that can appear on the reels, making smaller catches more valuable.
- Awards additional Cash Spins, up to a maximum of 5 extra spins can be awarded through this upgrade per feature trigger.
- Advances the starting position on the Cash Spins multiplier trail, typically starting the round directly at the x2 multiplier level (Position 3).
- Activates payouts for standard symbol combinations both from left-to-right and right-to-left, potentially doubling winning chances on standard symbols.
- Adds more active symbol positions to the reels, increasing the potential number of fish that can land simultaneously.
- Adds additional active Collector symbols (potentially the enhanced types if already unlocked) to the reels for the duration of the bonus.
- Adds the Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega Jackpot fish symbols to the pool of possible cash fish appearing during the Cash Spins.
- Revealing this immediately starts the Cash Spins feature, ending the Pick a Fish phase even if fewer than 5 upgrades have been revealed.
This selection phase adds a significant layer of strategy and variance, as the combination of revealed upgrades heavily influences the potential profitability of the Cash Spins round. Getting a lucky set of upgrades here can drastically increase excitement.
Navigating the Cash Spins: Trail and Multipliers
During the Cash Spins, any unlocked Collector symbols (standard or enhanced) remain active. Above the reels, a progress trail is displayed. Each time any Fisherman Collect symbol lands on reels 1 or 6, it collects fish values as normal and also advances the player’s position along the trail by one step. Reaching specific milestones on this trail awards rewards:
- Position 3: Awards +5 additional Cash Spins and activates a x2 multiplier for all subsequent Cash Collect wins.
- Position 6: Awards +5 additional Cash Spins and increases the multiplier to x3.
- Position 9: Awards +5 additional Cash Spins and increases the multiplier to x5.
- Position 12: Awards +5 additional Cash Spins and increases the multiplier to a maximum of x10.
The Cash Spins continue until all awarded spins (initial 10 plus any extras gained from the trail or Pick a Fish) are used. The total accumulated winnings from collections and standard line hits are then awarded. The combination of active enhanced collectors, potentially high-value fish (including jackpots if Golden Fish was revealed), and escalating multipliers makes this round the primary target for significant payouts.
Landing the Big Ones: Jackpot Tiers Explained
Unlike progressive jackpots, Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 features four fixed jackpots, represented by special fish symbols carrying substantial prize multipliers relative to the player’s stake. These are:
- Mini: 20x total bet
- Minor: 50x total bet
- Major: 200x total bet
- Mega: 12,500x total bet
These jackpot fish can appear randomly during the base game or, more reliably, during Cash Spins if the ‘Golden Fish’ upgrade was selected in the pre-bonus phase. Winning a jackpot isn’t tied to a specific combination or mini-game; instead, it occurs through the standard Cash Collect mechanic. A Mini, Minor, Major, or Mega fish symbol must land on the reels simultaneously with any active Fisherman Collect symbol on reel 1 or 6. The Fisherman then collects the jackpot value just like any other cash fish. Multiple jackpots (including duplicates) can potentially be collected within a single spin or feature if the corresponding symbols land and are collected. The sheer size of the Mega Jackpot makes it the ultimate prize catch in the game.
Visual Presentation and Auditory Atmosphere
Blueprint Gaming maintains the familiar visual style of the Big Catch Bass series. The setting is an underwater view of a clear lake, with reeds and rocks framing the reels at the bottom, and a surface view showing a shoreline, trees, and distant mountains under a bright sky. The symbols are rendered in a colorful, slightly cartoonish style, making them easily distinguishable. Animations are functional, highlighting winning combinations and feature triggers. The Fisherman Collector animates reeling in the fish, expanding reels glow during the Win Stepper feature, and the Cash Match transformation is visually clear. The Big Catch Net feature has a distinct animation, adding visual flair to the second-chance mechanic.
The sound design complements the theme adequately. Expect ambient underwater sounds, splashes when symbols land, reel spinning effects, and celebratory jingles for wins and feature triggers. A cheerful, somewhat generic banjo-led tune often accompanies gameplay, fitting the lighthearted fishing theme but perhaps becoming repetitive over longer sessions. The overall presentation is competent and thematic, though it doesn’t break new ground aesthetically compared to its predecessors or other modern slots.
Gameplay Feel and Player Experience Analysis
Playing Big Catch Even Bigger Bass 2 offers an experience heavily defined by its feature progression system. The base game revolves around the anticipation of landing the Fisherman Collector simultaneously with valuable fish, particularly the jackpot symbols. The sequential unlocking of enhanced collectors (Lock & Spin, Win Stepper, Cash Match, Multi Collect) provides a tangible sense of progress. However, reaching the later, more powerful collectors can require significant playtime and numerous standard collect triggers, which might feel like a grind to some players. Each successful unlock does bring a satisfying shift in gameplay potential, making subsequent collections more exciting.
The Big Catch Net feature serves as a welcome safety net, mitigating the frustration of seeing valuable fish appear without a collector. The random nature of its trigger and the potential for high-value outcomes (like jackpots via the Prize Wheel) add moments of unexpected excitement.
The Cash Spins round is undoubtedly the highlight. The pre-bonus Pick a Fish phase is critical and engaging, offering genuine choices that impact the round’s potential. Revealing synergistic upgrades like Golden Fish, +Collect Symbols, and a high starting Multiplier feels immensely rewarding. Within the spins, the multiplier trail provides constant incentive, as each Fisherman landing not only collects prizes (potentially multiplied) but also moves closer to more spins and higher multipliers. The Medium/High volatility is palpable here; rounds can vary wildly from modest returns to substantial hauls, especially if high multipliers combine with valuable fish or jackpot collections. While the core fishing theme is well-trodden territory for Blueprint, the layered complexity of the unlockable features and the pre-bonus upgrade system give this installment a deeper, more involved feel than many simpler cash collect slots, arguably justifying the “Even Bigger” part of its title for players who appreciate feature-rich gameplay.