Raiders of the North

BF Games’ “Raiders of the North” throws players into the heart of a Norse saga, where the howls of icy winds are only matched by the roar of Viking warriors. The game’s aesthetic leans heavily into the rugged, unforgiving beauty of the North, with visuals depicting snow-swept landscapes and the iconic longships that once dominated the seas. The soundtrack is a powerful accompaniment, evoking a sense of ancient battles and epic journeys. This is not just a slot; it’s a cinematic experience that captures the raw essence of the Viking age, though it may not offer many surprises to those familiar with similar-themed games.

Core Mechanics and Symbols

“Raiders of the North” features a 5-reel, 3-row layout that expands to 5×4 in the Treasure Island mode. The base game offers a multitude of ways to win, with winning combinations formed from left to right on adjacent reels, excluding Scatters. The symbols are a mix of fierce Viking warriors, each intricately designed, and ancient runes, each carrying its own weight in the paytable. The gold Viking is the highest-paying symbol, followed by the red and green Vikings, then two more minor Viking symbols, offering a descending scale of rewards. The lower end of the paytable is filled out by various runic symbols.

The game’s mechanics are a well-oiled machine, with each spin carrying the potential for significant wins. A unique twist comes with the Ship symbol collection. These symbols, appearing only in the base game, are collected to unlock the Treasure Island mode. The counter for these symbols resets after each session, creating a sense of urgency and progression within each play period. This feature is a standout, as it adds a layer of strategy to the base game, turning each spin into a step towards a larger goal.

Treasure Island Mode: An Expanded Battlefield

The Treasure Island mode is where “Raiders of the North” truly distinguishes itself. Upon collecting 50 Ship symbols, the game grid expands, adding a fourth row and activating the Reel Wild feature. This mode remains active until the session ends, providing an extended period of enhanced gameplay.

In Treasure Island mode, the Reel Wild, represented by a fearsome Viking warrior, can appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. This symbol expands to cover the entire reel, substituting for all symbols except the Scatter. The inclusion of this expanding wild significantly increases the potential for large wins, as it can complete multiple winning combinations simultaneously. It is worth noting that the Reel Wild and the Flying Wild cannot appear on the same spin, a balancing mechanic that keeps the game from becoming overly generous.

If you are unsure about the significance of the Reel Wild or any other feature, you can launch the Raiders of the North demo and access the game’s comprehensive help section by pressing the “(i)” button.

Free Games and Multipliers: The Spoils of War

The Free Games feature in “Raiders of the North” is triggered by landing 3 Scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5. This awards the player 10 Free Games. During this mode, a new Key symbol comes into play. Collecting 3, 6, 9, or 12 Key symbols awards an additional 2 Free Games and increases the global Free Game multiplier to x2, x3, x4, or x5, respectively. Once 12 keys are collected, no more Key symbols appear.

The multiplier is a crucial element of the Free Games, as it applies to all wins during the round. This feature has the potential to turn a modest win into a substantial payout. However, it’s important to note that the Flying Wild feature is not active during Free Games, and the Reel Wild is only active if the Treasure Island mode was previously triggered. The absence of the Flying Wild during Free Games is a noticeable drawback, as it could have added an extra layer of excitement to the bonus round.

The Flying Wild and the Buy Feature: A Valkyrie’s Blessing

The Flying Wild feature is a random event that can occur during both the base game and Treasure Island mode. The Valkyrie symbol acts as the Flying Wild, substituting for all symbols except Scatter and Ship symbols. When triggered, the Valkyrie flies to a random position on the reels (excluding the first reel), and low-value symbols are replaced with high-value symbols. A win is then awarded.

The Buy Feature allows players to purchase 10 Free Games for a set price, which varies depending on whether the additional row is unlocked. This feature is a double-edged sword. While it provides immediate access to the Free Games, the cost can be quite steep, especially with the additional row unlocked. Players should carefully consider their bankroll and risk tolerance before utilizing this feature.

“Raiders of the North” may not revolutionize the world of online slots, but it offers a solid and engaging experience, particularly for fans of the Viking theme. It may appeal to those who enjoy games with progressive elements and multiple bonus features.