Desert Temple: Slot Overview
Hacksaw Gaming’s partner, Backseat Gaming, invites players to explore Ancient Egypt once more with Desert Temple. This slot game showcases the allure of the monument-filled landscape in a classic cluster-pays format, complete with a symbol multiplier system that enhances each win. But why is Ancient Egypt such a popular theme among slot developers? It seems that like the irresistible urge to finish an entire can of Pringles, slot creators can’t resist revisiting this exotic setting. Let’s dive into what Desert Temple has to offer.
Visuals and Design
Desert Temple’s design presents a fairly traditional view of Ancient Egypt. The 7×7 grid is set against a backdrop of a Sphinx-style statue, pyramids, palms, and sand. While the visuals are competent, they lack the depth and immersion seen in some other Egyptian-themed slots. Compared to Backseat Gaming’s earlier work, The Cursed King, the artwork in Desert Temple feels somewhat generic. The visual experience is pleasant but doesn’t stand out as particularly captivating.
Betting Options and RTP
In Desert Temple, players can choose stakes ranging from 10 cents to $/€100 per spin. The game offers a maximum RTP of 96.24%, though this can vary depending on the chosen betting options and bonus features. Players should be aware that bonus buys can affect the RTP. The volatility of Desert Temple is rated at 4 out of 5, indicating a medium-high risk level, which aligns with the potential for significant payouts.
Gameplay Mechanics
Desert Temple operates as a cluster-pays slot. To achieve a win, players need to connect at least 5 matching symbols. The game features a mix of low and high-paying symbols, including 10-A card ranks, Ankh, Eye of Horus, scarabs, and pharaoh masks. Winning symbols explode from the grid, allowing new symbols to drop in and potentially create additional winning combinations. Despite its cascade feature, Desert Temple does not include wild symbols.
Symbol Multipliers
One of Desert Temple’s core features is its symbol multipliers. After each winning combination, the multiplier for that symbol starts at x4 and doubles with each subsequent win of the same type during the same spin. The highest possible multiplier value reaches x1,024. This feature adds excitement and can significantly boost winnings. For added thrill, clusters of 5 or more mystery symbols can appear, transforming into the same pay symbol and potentially acquiring multipliers.
Temple of Temptation
The Temple of Temptation bonus round is triggered by landing 4 scatter symbols in the base game. Players are awarded 10 free spins, during which all symbol multipliers persist. Additional scatters can grant +10 extra spins, enhancing the feature’s potential. This bonus round is designed to keep players engaged and increase their chances of winning.
Fortune of Pharaohs
Landing 5 scatter symbols activates the Fortune of Pharaohs bonus, offering 10 free spins with an initial x4 symbol multiplier. Like the Temple of Temptation, multipliers continue throughout the feature. Players can also earn +10 extra spins by hitting 3 more scatters. This bonus round provides a substantial opportunity for extended gameplay and larger wins.
Bonus Buys
Desert Temple includes several bonus buy options for those looking to skip straight to the action:
- BonusHunt FeatureSpins (2x the bet): Increases the likelihood of triggering a bonus round by three times per spin.
- Sphinx Mystery FeatureSpins (60x the bet): Guarantees 5-15 Mystery symbols with multipliers ranging from x2 to x256.
- Temple of Temptation (100x the bet) and Fortune of Pharaohs (500x the bet): Directly purchase these bonus features to immediately enter the respective rounds.
Verdict
Desert Temple delivers a straightforward yet engaging slot experience with its mix of multipliers and bonus features. While it may not boast the most intricate graphics or gameplay, its simplicity combined with effective features makes it an enjoyable game. Backseat Gaming, in collaboration with Hacksaw Gaming, has crafted a game that, despite its initial appearance, proves to be a solid choice for fans of the Ancient Egypt theme. With its potential for big wins and enjoyable features, Desert Temple is worth exploring.
