An Overview of The Great Albini by Foxium
While the announcement of new Foxium slots doesn't exactly have us counting the minutes, it's important to approach the claims from affiliate sites with caution. Historically, these games have rarely impressed us and some have been notably subpar. With a market overflowing with exceptional developers, why settle for less compelling slots?
Having joined forces with Microgaming in 2017, this Estonian and Swedish game studio produces content exclusively for the Quickfire platform. Despite boasting ten years of experience, their portfolio is somewhat lacking. Their strength seems to lie in visual design, suggesting a background in mobile games, but so far, they come across more as hired developers rather than true casino gaming aficionados.
As we sifted through our list of game providers, hoping to find content worth reviewing, it quickly became clear that there wasn't much to choose from. Given the leisurely pace of the igaming world, especially around New Year's, we turned our attention to Foxium and their magician-themed slot, The Great Albini. Our first instinct was to look up Albini for context and found that he is a fictional magician, accompanied, of course, by Lily, a pink-haired assistant with undeniable talents.
Now, turning to the game mechanics: The Great Albini offers a classic setup with 5 reels and 3 rows, extending to 6 rows and 50 paylines during the bonus round. It caters to all devices and the betting range goes from 0.25 to 30 EUR. You'll find the Mystery Box Respin feature here and a bonus game offering multipliers. Conforming to industry standards, the RTP is a comfortable 96.6%.
The slot's story is set in the 1920s, an era celebrated for illusionists and performers like the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. The game takes place on a stage where Albini himself occasionally makes a magical appearance to the side of the reels. Visuals are decent, though not exceptionally eye-catching, unless the captivating Lily appears.
Spotlight on The Great Albini: Symbols, Paytable & Unique Features
Examining the paytable reveals 10 regular symbols, enhanced by a wild appearing only on reels 2 through 5, and the special Mystery Box symbol. Basic symbols, such as A, K, Q, J, and 10, contribute less, so targeting the premium symbols like Lucky Cups, Knives, Canary Birds, the assistant Lily, and the master illusionist Albini, with the highest payout of 40 times your bet for 5 in a line, is crucial.
The base game includes the Mystery Box Respin, triggered by a stack of Boxes landing on the center reel. These remain in place while others spin again. Additional Boxes during the feature also stick, resetting the respin counter to 3. This feature continues until no new Boxes appear. Upon completion, the Boxes reveal a random symbol, increasing win potential. Achieve a full screen of top symbols for a 1000 times bet payout.
The Great Albini (Foxium): Free Spins
The spellbinding part of this slot is the free spins game, activated by landing a 3x3 free spin symbol on the middle reels or through a buy-in feature. Organically triggering earns 12 free spins, while purchasing costs 100x, 125x, or 150x your stake for 8, 10, or 12 spins respectively.
Here, you play on an expanded 5x6 grid with 50 paylines. The Lily Feature can randomly appear, placing stacks of x2 multiplier wilds on reels 2, 3, or 4, supplemented by a random number of respins. With luck, gains can reach up to 4000 times your stake.
The Great Albini (Foxium): Conclusion
Among Foxium's offerings, The Great Albini stands out, leaving little to critique. Admittedly, the base game might seem monotonous at moments, but the bonus potential more than compensates, keeping players engaged with its promise of significant rewards.
While it's not among those games we find ourselves playing repeatedly, given the abundance available, it is enjoyable for a few spins, especially if trying new slots appeals to you. It is, however, a high-volatility game, so don't be shocked if your balance gets consumed quickly.
(1 = worst / 10 = best)