Boom

Playtech Origins’ “Boom” is a slot that deals with a theme centered around explosives and bomb defusal. The game’s aesthetic is a vibrant, albeit somewhat chaotic, mix of bright colors and bomb-related imagery. It’s as if you’re looking at a pyrotechnician’s workbench, which might be visually overwhelming for some, but it undeniably sets a specific tone.

The presentation is not subtle. It’s bold and in-your-face, which can be a double-edged sword. While it creates an immediate impact, it might not appeal to players seeking a more relaxed gaming experience. The developer, Playtech Origins, has a good reputation, but this particular slot might be polarizing due to its stylistic choices.

Gameplay Mechanics and Symbol Interactions

“Boom” features a standard 5×3 reel layout with 50 fixed paylines in the base game. This setup is familiar to most slot enthusiasts and provides a solid foundation for the gameplay. All wins pay from left to right, and wins are multiplied by the line bet, except for Scatter wins, which are multiplied by the total bet. The line bet is calculated as the total bet divided by 50. Only the highest win per line is paid, and any malfunctions void all pays and plays.

The game’s symbols are a mix of standard card ranks (10, J, Q, K, A) and themed icons like protective glasses, green figurines, cables, and the bomb itself. The Wild symbol is a significant player, substituting for all symbols except the Scatter and the blue and green bonus symbols. This substitution capability can be crucial in completing winning combinations. The value of the Wild is also the highest. The Bomb symbol is equally valuable, with both the Wild and the Bomb paying 150x the line bet for five of a kind. The Scatter, represented by a bomb with the word “B.O.N.U.S.” on it, is another key symbol. Landing three or more Scatters triggers the Free Games feature, which is a gateway to potentially bigger wins.

Bonus Features: A Closer Look

“Boom” offers two main bonus features: Free Games and the ¡Boom! Hold & Respin.

Free Games are activated when three or more Scatter symbols appear anywhere on the reels. This awards the player 8 free spins. During these free spins, the third reel is highlighted with a special frame and exclusively features Wild and Bomb symbols. This unique mechanic significantly increases the probability of triggering the second bonus feature, the ¡Boom! Hold & Respin, and forming high-value combinations with Wilds. I found that the Free Games feature, while not particularly innovative on its own, serves as an excellent bridge to the more complex Hold & Respin feature. For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Hold & Respin feature, the demo version of the slot, along with its detailed in-game help section, accessible by pressing the “(i)” button, can provide valuable insights.

The ¡Boom! Hold & Respin feature is where “Boom” truly distinguishes itself. Triggered by landing six or more Bomb symbols, this feature transports the player to a new reel set that can expand up to nine rows. The initial three respins reset with each new Bomb symbol that lands, and the objective is to collect as many Bombs as possible.

What makes this feature particularly interesting is the inclusion of “Tool” symbols. Every two Bomb symbols accompanied by a Tool unlock an additional row, each with its own unique modifier:

• 7th row: All Bomb symbols on this row (excluding the Star symbol) are multiplied by 2x.
• 8th row: All Bomb symbols on this row (excluding the Star symbol) are multiplied by 5x.
• 9th row: All Bomb symbols on this row are transformed into Star symbols.

The Star symbols are the key to the game’s four fixed jackpots: Mini (20x), Minor (100x), Major (500x), and Grand (2,000x). Any held Star symbol will transform to award one of these jackpots, and each prize can be won multiple times. This layered approach to the Hold & Respin feature adds a level of strategy and anticipation not often found in similar mechanics. It is, in my opinion, the most compelling aspect of “Boom”. The fact that the jackpots are fixed might be a drawback for some, but the potential for multiple jackpot wins during a single feature adds a different kind of excitement.

Final Thoughts

“Boom” by Playtech Origins is a slot that’s not afraid to be loud and bold. Its theme and presentation might not be for everyone, but the gameplay mechanics, particularly the multi-layered ¡Boom! Hold & Respin feature, offer a level of depth and engagement that’s worth experiencing. The Free Games feature, while simpler, serves as an effective conduit to the main bonus round. The game’s medium volatility and above-average RTP of 96.59% make it a viable option for players seeking a balance between risk and reward. It’s a game I would recommend to players who enjoy complex bonus features and don’t mind a visually intense experience.