Broadsiders!

“Broadsiders!” is a pirate-themed slot from Massive Studios with a cartoonish art style. This high-volatility game unfolds on a unique hexagonal grid with expanding reels and a cascading symbols mechanic. Colorful gemstones, islands, pirate ships, and even a kraken create a vibrant atmosphere. The core game revolves around six distinct types of cannons, each offering a special ability to impact the grid. “Broadsiders!” has a standard RTP of 96.62% but also offers special modes with slightly increased RTP. The main bonus features include interactive Galleons and Treasure Chests that reveal Win Multipliers and upgrades. The game offers an unusual and captivating experience enhanced by its core mechanic, which sets it apart from typical online slots. Players can also activate Free Spins by landing three or more Scatter symbols.

Broadsiders! Game Demo

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  • Title: Broadsiders!
  • Release date: January 31, 2025
  • Developer: Massive Studios
  • Theme: Pirates, Sea Battle, Cannons, Treasure, Tropical Islands, Kraken
  • Reels: Hexagonal grid, Expanding reels
  • Layout: Starts with 37 reel stops, expandable to 91
  • Paylines: Cluster Pays (5 or more matching symbols)
  • Number of Symbols: 9
  • Volatility: Very High
  • RTP: 96.62%
  • Gameplay Mechanics: Cascading symbols, Expanding reels
  • Bonus Feature: 6 types of cannons with special functions (Simple Cannon, Multi Cannon, Buck Shot Cannon, Siege Cannon, Bombardier Cannon, Ricochet Cannon, Berserker Cannon), Galleons with Win Multipliers, Treasure Chests with upgrades.
  • Free Spins: Yes
  • Wild: Yes
  • Scatter: Yes
  • Multiplier: Yes
  • Min / Max Bet: $0.20 / $100.00
  • Max Win: 15,000x the bet (Standard Game), 30,000x the bet (Enhanced Modes or Bonus Buys)
  • Bonus Buy: Yes
Broadsiders! Broadsiders! Play for Real

Broadsiders! Slot Review

A Volatile Sea of Expanding Reels and Explosive Features

“Broadsiders!” is a high-volatility online slot from Massive Studios. This game immediately distinguishes itself with its hexagonal grid layout and a cascading symbols.

Broadsiders - base game

A Broadside of Bonus Features: Cannons, Multipliers, and More

“Broadsiders!” truly shines in its diverse and engaging bonus features. The core mechanic revolves around six distinct types of cannons, each possessing a special ability to alter the grid and enhance winning potential. These cannons are not merely decorative; they are the very heart of the gameplay, creating a dynamic and unpredictable experience. When cannons are revealed on the grid, they will fire on initial spin only if they are located in an active reel stop. All revealed cannons will fire only once activated, except the Berserker Cannon which fires multiple shots in multiple directions and can hit any position on the reels. Cannons will drop on cascades and refire until the cannon misfires. A misfire will remove the misfiring cannon and a random number of symbols around the cannon forcing a cascade.

Broadsiders - free spins
  • Simple Cannon: Fires a single shot in one direction.
  • Multi Cannon: Unleashes shots in 2 to 6 different directions simultaneously.
  • Buck Shot Cannon: Blasts through up to 3 lines of symbols in a single direction.
  • Siege Cannon: Fires a wide curve of shots hitting the first row of locked reel positions. It will hit various amounts of positions depending upon its distance from the target.
  • Bombardier Cannon: Lobs a single shot in any direction, impacting a circular area anywhere on the reels.
  • Ricochet Cannon: This cannon fires a single shot that bounces off in any direction, striking multiple reel positions. It can ricochet several times.
  • Berserker Cannon: The ultimate weapon, firing multiple shots in various directions, capable of hitting any position on the reels. As an added twist, purchasing Bonus Buy 2 places an initial Berserker Cannon in the reel center.

Beyond the cannons, the game features Galleons and Treasure Chests that interact directly with the cannon fire. Galleons, when struck by cannon fire, reveal hidden Win Multipliers. These multipliers are key to achieving substantial wins. Treasure Chests, on the other hand, unveil upgrades that can significantly boost the values of active Win Multipliers.

  • Adds the shown value to all active Win Multipliers.
  • Doubles the shown value to all active Win Multipliers.
  • Adds a random amount to all active Win Multipliers.
  • Increases all the active Win Multipliers to the highest shown value.

Each of these upgrades can dramatically alter the course of a game, creating moments of intense anticipation. For example, if you’re not sure what any of the features do, run the demo version of the slot and open the built-in game help by pressing the (i) button.

Set Sail for Adventure: Theme, Atmosphere, and Art Style

“Broadsiders!” fully embraces a pirate theme, complete with a vibrant and cartoonish art style. The backdrop depicts a tropical seascape with islands, palm trees, pirate ships, and even a menacing kraken lurking in the depths. This creates a playful yet adventurous setting for the gameplay.

The symbols themselves are represented by colorful gemstones, each with a distinct shape and hue. The animations are smooth and dynamic, particularly when the cannons fire and symbols cascade down the grid. It’s like a carefully orchestrated dance of destruction and creation, adding a layer of visual interest to every spin. Overall the sound design is excellent, perfectly complementing the visuals with an exciting and epic pirate sea battle theme. The music is appropriate and atmospheric, never overwhelming. A symphony of cannon fire and breaking stones! All the while, a polar bear, a parrot, and a kraken merrily participate in the events on the screen.

Mechanics of the Broadside: Understanding the Gameplay

The game starts with 37 initial reel stops. A further 54 reel stops can be opened by Cannons. There are a further 24 Bonus positions that award Win Multipliers and Win Multiplier Upgrades and are also activated by Cannons. The hexagonal grid in “Broadsiders!” is a refreshing departure from the standard rectangular format. The game pays for clusters of 5 or more matching symbols. This mechanic encourages a strategic approach, as players must consider how each spin can potentially unlock more of the grid and trigger the powerful cannon features.

The game also boasts a Free Games feature, triggered by landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 SCATTER symbols. You will receive 8, 12, 16, or 20 Free Games, respectively. Free games are always awarded when the feature is purchased. During Free Games, the hexagonal grid changes color from green to light blue and the background depicts a gloomy, arctic scene. Penguins and a polar bear appear on the screen, making the game more joyful. The Free Games mode adds another layer of excitement to this dynamic slot and offers even more ways to win.

Game Enhancers and Bonus Buys: “Broadsiders!” gives players the option to enhance their gameplay experience by enabling either one of two Game Enhancers, or purchasing one of two Bonus Buys. Enabling Enhancer 1 or 2 increases the players bet by either 2X or 8X. Buying Bonus Buy 1 or 2 increases the bet by 100X or 500X, respectively. When playing Enhanced Modes or Bonus Buys the Max Payout per game round is 30 000X the current Base Bet amount. In the standard mode, the Max Payout is 15 000X. Enhancers and Bonus Buys have DOUBLE MAX win. The theoretical RTP of these game modes are: Enhancer 1 – 96.69%, Enhancer 2 – 96.61%, Bonus Buy 1 – 96.58%, Bonus Buy 2 – 96.52%. The theoretical RTP of the standard game is 96.62%

This slot’s focus on expanding reels, cascading symbols, and interactive bonus features sets it apart from the usual pirate-themed slots. The high volatility adds to the thrill, making every spin a potential for a big win. While luck certainly plays a role, understanding the nuances of the cannon mechanics and how they interact with the Win Multipliers and upgrades can definitely enhance your gameplay. “Broadsiders!” might not be for everyone due to its complexity and high volatility, but for seasoned players seeking a unique challenge, it offers a refreshing and rewarding experience. It’s a game that rewards patience, strategic thinking, and a bit of luck.

Author: Vlad Hvalov

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