Dark Vortex Introduction
Oh wow, where do we begin? When we finally got the chance to experience Dark Vortex, we were completely in the dark about what awaited us. We dove into the game without prior research, and as it loaded, our focus was everywhere, trying to absorb as much information as possible to understand what was presented to us on screen.
It wasn’t long before we discovered that Yggdrasil, possibly taking inspiration from Big Time Gaming’s 'Feature Drop', had introduced a Buy-A-Bonus button. This feature allows eager players to jump directly into the free spins round for a cost of 80 times the bet. The intriguing part is, by choosing this route, players benefit from an improved RTP of 97% compared to the default 96.5% when the bonus is activated normally. We're curious to see if this concept will appear in Yggdrasil's future releases.
Originally referred to as Dark Portal, this unique slot game is designed with 5 reels and a format that rewards players in every possible direction. There are no set paylines; instead, any trio or more of matching symbols results in a win, both left to right and right to left! Starting with 243 potential ways to win, the addition of Vortex Reels can expand those possibilities to a whopping 3125 win ways. Adapted for all types of devices, Dark Vortex accommodates various betting preferences, allowing wagers from as little as €0.10 to as much as €50 per spin, suitable for both cautious players and high-risk takers.
Yggdrasil consistently impresses us with their artistic prowess and the ability to create engaging visuals. Dark Vortex is infused with eerie sound effects and features intricately designed reels bordered by ominous stone figures. The setting is flawlessly completed by a scene of swirling mist that envelops a deserted stronghold. It truly captures the atmosphere magnificently! Hats off to Yggdrasil.
Dark Vortex Paytable & Features
In the game, there are 10 standard symbols, complemented by a wild symbol, two orb symbols, and a Vortex symbol. The lower value symbols are depicted as different spellbooks, while the premium symbols feature monsters and odd creatures. The Red Devil lady stands as the most rewarding symbol, granting a win of 6 times the stake when five appear in combination.
The wild symbol acts as a substitute for everything but the Vortex (Scatter) and Orb symbols, showing up only on Vortex and Free Spins reels 2, 3, and 4. Central to the game are the two Orb symbols, which will be explored further. Given all this Vortex chatter, you're likely wondering what it entails, so let’s move forward in this review to unravel its mystery.
Vortex Reels & Free Spins
In the main game, keep your eyes open for Vortex symbols, or 'Scatter symbols' if you prefer that terminology. You need to gather 5 of these, one on each reel, to unlock the Free Spins round, but there’s more to it. Even landing just 2 of them side by side kicks off 3 Vortex spins, where a shadowy portal draws the reels in and expands them from 3 rows high to 5, increasing win ways significantly. Each extra adjacent Vortex symbol grants another Vortex reel and 2 more spins. Vortex reels will stay active until all Vortex Spins are completed.
In this context, Orbs make their mark as they appear exclusively on Vortex reels and serve to elevate the Vortex spins. Pink Orbs are responsible for broadening the wild stack size and make appearances on Vortex reels 1 and 5. Collecting each pink orb adds another wild to the 3 center reels. Conversely, Blue Orbs amplify the tally of free spins and are only found on Vortex reels 2, 3, and 4. Each gathered blue orb boosts the count by one additional free spin.
The Free Spins game mode kicks in when you successfully open all 5 Vortex reels before depleting your Vortex spins. With Vortex Free Spins, the game expands to a 5x5 reels layout and 3125 ways to hit a win. The central 3 reels feature tall wild stacks, each augmented by one more wild for every Pink orb collected. There’s a tremendous upside here, with opportunities to net wins exceeding 7000 times your stake!
Dark Vortex Conclusion
This slot might very well emerge as Yggdrasil’s standout title of the year. Its high variance coupled with stunning win potential is certainly attention-grabbing, and it’s aligned with doing something new through brilliant visuals. While you might perceive this review as complex or overwhelming, in practice, it isn't. Though it’s not the simplest of slots to grasp instantly, it becomes more understandable and dynamic as you engage and spin those reels.
Introducing the Buy-A-Bonus function took us by surprise and was quite unexpected. While uncertain about its stance from a responsible gaming perspective, seeing its success with Big Time Gaming makes it understandable why Yggdrasil might want to follow suit.
Summarizing, Dark Vortex is equipped with all the components that make an online slot appealing - from innovative mechanics and remarkable visuals to seamless gaming and an impressive payout table. Crucially, it carries the potential for significant wins. Yet, exercise caution, as this is a high variance game (scoring 7 out of 10 on Yggdrasil’s volatility index), implying you may face prolonged periods without wins before hitting satisfactory payouts. Such is the gamble.
(1 = worst / 10 = best)