Slithering Riches

Live22’s “Slithering Riches” initially presents itself as a nod to the classic fruit slot genre, adorned with familiar symbols like cherries, grapes, and pineapples. However, this game is far from a simple rehash of the classics. It’s more like a familiar dish with an unexpected, exotic spice blend. The setting, a vibrant Asian-inspired backdrop featuring a cartoonish snake character, hints at the unique gameplay twists that await.

The art style is colorful and engaging, with a touch of whimsy that distinguishes it from more traditionally themed slots. It has the visual appeal of an elaborately decorated temple, complete with intricate details and a lively color palette. This setting sets the stage for a game that’s both visually pleasing and mechanically innovative.

Core Gameplay Mechanics: Breaking the Mold

“Slithering Riches” operates on a 6-reel grid, but it’s not your typical spinning-reel setup. Instead, it employs a scatter pays system where symbols pay out anywhere on the reels, as long as a minimum number (seven) are present. This mechanic, similar to a cascading reels feature, sees winning combinations vanish, making way for new symbols to drop down, potentially creating consecutive wins from a single spin. There is one catch that makes this feature unique: this slot’s board has a feature where “blank” symbols have no value but will be destroyed automatically after they appear and be replaced with new ones. It gives a sort of free re-spin on the blank spaces each round.

The symbol values are diverse. For example, 21 or more pineapple symbols can yield a 48x payout, while the same number of cherries pays out only 2.4x. This vast range in symbol values creates a dynamic paytable, making each spin potentially transformative. Furthermore, the unique aspect of this slot lies in its “Collection Box” mechanic. Special symbols like the Multiplier and the Scatter are only activated when they fall into this designated area beneath the reels. This is an unusual twist that adds an extra layer of strategy and anticipation to the game.

Unveiling the Bonus Features: A Deep Dive

The bonus features in “Slithering Riches” are where the game truly shines. The Multiplier Bonus, represented by colorful koi fish, can appear anywhere on the reels but, as mentioned, is only activated when it lands in the Collection Box. Multipliers during the base game are accumulated for each round until no more winning combinations appear. This accumulation mechanic is especially potent during the Free Games feature, where multipliers do not reset until all free games are exhausted, leading to potentially massive payouts, capped at a 10,000x bet limit. In case of unclear understanding of the mechanics of the bonus – feel free to launch the demo version of the slot, and get acquainted with the built-in help by pressing (i).

The Fortune Snake feature is another standout, triggering randomly during gameplay. Up to six of these serpents can slither onto the reels, devouring symbols and creating space for new ones to cascade down. A crucial detail here is that the symbols eaten by the snakes are not counted towards winning combinations, but once all the snakes are done eating, blank symbols will be cleared automatically, and new symbols will replace them.

Free Games Feature: The Path to Big Wins

Triggering the Free Games feature requires landing three or more Scatter symbols – depicted as golden money sacks – in the Collection Box. Depending on the number of Scatters, players can receive 10, 15, or 20 free spins. During this mode, any additional Scatter that lands in the Collection Box awards three extra free spins, and, since it also clears other symbols after landing, it will also potentially award the player extra free spins before the round is over.

The Free Games mode is where the Multiplier Bonus truly becomes a game-changer. The fact that multipliers accumulate without resetting throughout the feature creates a thrilling crescendo of potential wins. While the maximum win is capped, the journey to reach it is packed with excitement. Additionally, for those impatient to experience the feature, “Slithering Riches” offers a “Buy Free Games” option, allowing players to purchase direct entry into the Free Games mode. It is not clear whether this purchase is possible for the player at any given moment or under specific circumstances.

Overall Impression of the Game

“Slithering Riches” is a compelling offering from Live22 that successfully blends the familiar with the innovative. It’s recommended for players seeking a fresh take on the slot experience, where both familiar elements and new mechanics work together to create a potentially rewarding experience. With its unique bonus features and engaging gameplay, the game offers enough depth to satisfy seasoned slot players, and its charming visuals make it an enjoyable experience overall. It is quite clear that this game is more suitable for players with a higher tolerance for risk, given its medium-high volatility, but it also offers a very high maximum win potential. Its unique features, such as the Collection Box and the accumulating multipliers, promise an engaging and potentially highly lucrative gaming experience, and I would personally recommend this game to anyone looking for something different.