Carol of the Elves

Carol of the Elves: Slot Overview

The whimsically named game, Carol of the Elves, is an imaginative creation by the talented developers at Yggdrasil Gaming . However, this time they've opted for a slightly less innovative approach by presenting a festive variation of their popular game, Valley of the Gods. Perhaps with the release of the new version, the original's visibility has waned. Just like a forgotten Pharaoh's tomb, buried in time, Yggdrasil has attempted to reignite its appeal by infusing it with holiday cheer and a 'night before Christmas' atmosphere. Valley of the Gods 2 Unlike the original game set in sun-drenched Egypt, Carol of the Elves whisks players away to a cozy living room adorned with gifts and holiday trinkets. Although the visual presentation may not be particularly memorable, the delightful soundtrack adds a charming touch, making it advisable to keep the sound on unless you find the sweetness overwhelming.

Players can enjoy Carol of the Elves on a variety of devices, with betting options ranging from 10 p/c to $/€150 per spin, accommodating a wide range of player preferences. This game mirrors the features of Valley of the Gods, offering larger betting options for high rollers and increased maximum wins, with potential payouts climbing from 580,000€ to 870,000€. The slot features high volatility, which can make the game challenging, as it relies on a series of consecutive wins to progress. The RTP stands at 96.2%, promoting the likelihood of a win every five spins (22.8%).

A notable aspect of Carol of the Elves is the unique reel configuration, which sets it apart from other Yggdrasil slots. At the beginning of each paid spin, the reels are arranged in a 1-3-5-3-1 fashion, initially obstructed by blocker tiles. This setup provides 45 ways to win initially, extending to 3,125 as the grid becomes fully accessible. Aligning three or more matching symbols starting from the leftmost reel achieves a win.

The symbols in the game are imbued with festive spirit, starting with card suits styled with candy cane stripes, ranging from nine to ace. Higher paying symbols include bunnies, foxes, polar bears, and reindeer, offering payouts of 10 to 20 times the stake for five matching icons. Although wild symbols are absent, two unique features add excitement to the game.

The objective in Carol of the Elves involves creating successive wins to unlock the grid, activating various features in the process. Each victory releases a magic star from the winning symbols, gradually eliminating the blocker tiles to expand the playfield. A respin is granted after every successful round, continuing the cycle until no further wins occur. Once a winless respin happens, blocker tiles return, starting the process again. If all blocker tiles are cleared, a win multiplier starting at x2 and extra lives are triggered.

Carol of the Elves: Slot Features

Upon filling the grid with winning combinations, collecting five blue magic stars boosts the multiplier by one, while five red magic stars award an additional life. Extra lives grant respins during losing rounds, keeping the game in motion. This cycle endures until a round concludes with no wins and no extra lives, resetting the grid with blocker tiles for the next paid spin.

The phrase 'C's get degrees' echoes throughout Carol of the Elves, as it adopts a familiar strategy but lacks the usual visual depth and auditory detail Yggdrasil is known for. Despite this, two factors partially justify these choices. First, the nature of a seasonal Christmas slot suggests that most players will engage with the game briefly during the festive season. Second, the sentimental music evokes strong seasonal emotions, adding to the overall charm. It could easily fit into a heartfelt Christmas movie, where children see their absent parent's reflection in the tree ornaments, perfectly capturing the nostalgic essence.

Carol of the Elves: Slot Verdict

The gameplay can be rewarding for fans of Valley of the Gods, though patience is required to overcome dry spells amidst an average hit rate. Unlike slots that offer instant bonus games, the momentum-driven respins in Carol of the Elves demand strategic progression to maximize benefits. Failing to accumulate multipliers and extra lives may lead to frustration, akin to a child hoping for a new gaming console from Santa but finding a bland pair of socks in the stocking.

Despite occasional setbacks, Carol of the Elves has the potential to reward players up to 5,800 times their stake. A sequence of epic respins could achieve the maximum win, but even moderate successes can be gratifying. The success of Valley of the Gods suggests that Carol of the Elves will resonate with certain players.

By reimagining Valley of the Gods in a holiday theme, Yggdrasil spreads Christmas cheer, reliving both the challenges and the triumphs experienced in the original slot.