Epic Fish: Net of Fortune

Epic Fish: Net of Fortune, crafted by Quickspin, presents a fishing adventure set against the serene backdrop of a Norwegian fishing village. The game’s aesthetic is one of tranquility, with the reels submerged in clear waters, flanked by the picturesque scenery of a coastal town. The visual presentation leans heavily on a vibrant, cartoonish style, complete with well-defined symbols and fluid animations that enhance the underwater theme. A calming soundtrack, featuring the sounds of gentle waves, calling seagulls, and soft breezes, complements the visuals, creating a relaxing, yet engaging, gaming atmosphere.

The core of Epic Fish: Net of Fortune revolves around a cash-collect mechanic, a familiar feature in the realm of fishing slots. It includes Wild symbols that gather Fish symbols, and it introduces three distinct feature modes, each designed to increase the potential for significant wins. While it does share similarities with other fishing-themed games, the polished aesthetic and calming vibe make it an appealing choice for those seeking a more laid-back gaming session.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Epic Fish: Net of Fortune unfolds on a standard 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, a setup that will feel instantly familiar to seasoned slot enthusiasts. The game mechanics are straightforward: landing three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel, results in a win. With medium volatility, the game strikes a balance between the frequency of wins and their potential size. The RTP stands at a respectable 96.10% in its highest setting, though players should be aware that operators have the option to lower it. The betting range is broad, starting from €/$0.10 and going up to €/$100 per spin. The hit frequency of 20.84% suggests that wins, while not constant, occur regularly enough to maintain a decent level of engagement.

The paytable is a mix of low and high-value symbols. The lower end features the classic card royals (10-A), offering payouts from 2x to 7.5x the bet for a full line. The higher-value symbols are more thematic, including fish, a captain’s hat, binoculars, a jellyfish, and a ship’s wheel. These symbols can deliver payouts ranging from 10x to 75x the bet for five of a kind. A standout symbol is the Wild, depicted as a cheerful fisherman. This symbol not only substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations but also plays a crucial role in the Fish Collection feature.

In-Depth Look at Slot Features

Epic Fish: Net of Fortune offers several features that, while not entirely unique, provide enough variation to keep the gameplay interesting. These mechanics are deeply rooted in the familiar territory of fishing slot features but include some nuances that enhance the overall experience.

Fish Collection and Net Respins

The Fish Collection feature is central to the game’s mechanics. When Fish symbols appear on the reels simultaneously with the Wild symbol, the Wild collects the values displayed on each Fish. These values can range from 1x to 25x the bet, adding a significant boost to the potential winnings. An interesting addition is the Net Respin feature, which can be randomly triggered during the base game when a Wild and a Fish symbol land together. This feature locks all Fish and Wild symbols in place while the remaining reels respin. The respins continue as long as new Fish or Wild symbols land, potentially leading to a cascade of wins. It is worth noting that in the base game, this feature is random, but always activates during free spins when a Wild and a Fish land on the same spin. If you want a clearer understanding of how any bonus operates in practice, launch the demo version of the slot and open the built-in game help by pressing the “i” button.

Free Spins Modes

The Free Spins feature in Epic Fish: Net of Fortune is triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols. Depending on the number of scatters, players are granted access to one of three distinct Free Spins modes:

• Perfect Catch (3 scatters): This mode awards 7 free spins. Here, the Net Respin feature is guaranteed to activate whenever a Wild and a Fish symbol appear together. During this mode, collecting 6 Wilds will add an extra spin and, upon reaching 12 Wilds, upgrade the feature to the Fisherman Legend mode.
• Fish Frenzy (4 scatters): With 8 free spins, this mode introduces the Fish Frenzy mechanic. If a Wild symbol lands without any accompanying Fish symbols, the Fish Frenzy is triggered. This causes a school of fish to swim across the reels, replacing random symbols with Fish symbols. Similar to Perfect Catch, collecting 6 Wilds awards an additional spin, and collecting 12 Wilds upgrades the feature to Fisherman Legend. This is an enhanced version of the Perfect Catch Free Spins feature.
• Fisherman Legend (5 scatters): This is the most lucrative of the three modes, awarding 9 free spins. In this mode, any Wild symbol that lands becomes sticky and remains in place for the duration of the free spins. This significantly increases the chances of triggering the Fish Collection feature multiple times and achieving substantial wins. This is an enhanced version of the Fish Frenzy Free Spins feature.

It’s important to note that each successive free spin mode includes the features of the previous one, creating a sense of progression and increasing potential as you move through the different levels.

Extra Bet and Feature Buy Options

For those looking to increase their chances of hitting big wins, Epic Fish: Net of Fortune offers the Extra Bet option. By doubling the current bet, players can significantly enhance the likelihood of landing Fish symbols and triggering the Net Respin feature. The game’s information indicates that the Extra Bet increases the chance of triggering Fish Collection by 221% and Net Respins by 228%.

Additionally, the game provides Feature Buy options, allowing players to directly purchase access to the three Free Spins modes:

• Perfect Catch: 45x the bet (RTP of 96.61%)
• Fish Frenzy: 100x the bet (RTP of 96.59%)
• Fisherman Legend: 250x the bet (RTP of 96.50%)

These options offer a shortcut to the most exciting parts of the game, but the high cost, especially for the Fisherman Legend mode, requires careful consideration.

While Epic Fish: Net of Fortune doesn’t necessarily revolutionize the fishing slot genre, its combination of solid mechanics, engaging features, and a tranquil theme makes it a worthwhile option for players. The three-tiered Free Spins modes offer a variety of gameplay experiences, and the potential for sticky Wilds in the Fisherman Legend mode provides an enticing target for high-rollers. However, the game’s maximum win potential of 5,360x the bet, while respectable, might not be enough to fully captivate those accustomed to the higher volatility and massive payouts found in some other fishing-themed slots.