Slots were, are, and will remain the most popular game in both land-based and online casinos. Things aren’t going to change anytime soon. Players seem to love one-armed bandits so much that hundreds of great games are released each year. Slots never stall in terms of quality. Quite the contrary, they follow developments in the IT industry closely. New gameplay mechanics and game design improvements are being developed as we speak, making slots the ultimate casino game.
History of Slots
Without delving deeper into the history of slots, we’ll just note that the first legacy slot machines were developed just before the XX century. The first real slot machines came in the 1960s and the rest is history. Dominating Vegas casinos since they first made an appearance, slots marched on the online casino industry later. Nowadays, players are blessed with dozens of great slot developers which are closing the gap between slots and video games.
In terms of graphics, slots have evolved from the simple 3-reel setup and fruit symbols to graphically immersive games. The lines have changed as well. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find a slot with 50 (or even more) active paylines. The evolution of slots has been simply incredible, and with it, it brought new ways to win massive prizes.
Themes, Trends, and Features
When it comes to the themes, there’s something for everyone in store. Slots come in different shapes, sizes, and themes. For example, there are hundreds based on ancient mythologies, especially Greek and Egyptian mythologies. Some are an homage to the fruities that ruled casinos back in the days, while branded slots seem to be the most popular type. Nowadays, you can find slots inspired by mega-popular TV shows and movies including Game of Thrones or Narcos.
Slot developers usually follow all the latest trends in the entertainment industry and deliver high-quality slots that are in touch with the times. In terms of features, every slot has its own unique selling point. Some offer advanced gameplay features that separate them from the rest, while others are focused on big prizes. What all online slots have in common is a willingness to constantly add new features that greatly improve the overall experience.
Best Upcoming Summer Slots
Medusa Slot – BluePrint gaming
Medusa is a game developed by Blueprint Gaming and scheduled to release this June. The slot has 5 reels and 10 fixed paylines with a RTP of 96.4%. With medium-high volatility, there are plenty of possibilities for you to earn smaller frequent wins often and maybe a few big ones too. Visually, Medusa is a great slot, but we’re used to graphically impressive games when it comes to Blueprint Gaming. You can bet between $0.10 and $20 per spin for a total bet of $200 on all active line. With the maximum prize being 40,000 coins, there’s a generous amount of money to be won here. Medusa is a fun twist on the age-old myth of Medusa from ancient Greek mythology. This creature, though, isn’t out there to freeze you with its gaze. As a matter of fact, it’s there to help you win big. Thanks to the wild symbol, you can win a prize worth up to 200 times your stake. Of course, the wild will also help you with smaller wins.
The biggest selling point of this game is the Medusa Wild Transformation feature. Whenever you land the mythical creature on reel 3 it will cover it whole and transform two random symbols to extra wilds which can hopefully lead to big wins. With regular and extra wilds, you can expect to earn a lot of cash. In general, it’s not a feature-packed slot, but it’s still fun enough to keep you playing for a really long time.
Demon Slot – Play’n Go
This ominous-sounding slot is developed by Play’n Go and promises a hellishly good time. Scheduled for release in September 2019, Demon is a high variance slot with a maximum possible single win of 225,000 coins. The slot as a 5×3 layout and 30 fixed betways. Although the name implies a horror slot not unlike House of Doom, Demon is actually based on a rare British band from the 70s that is considered a pioneer in the new wave of British heavy metal.As a slot based on a heavy metal band, you can expect it to be loud and it doesn’t disappoint. With the reels set against a backdrop of what seem to be the gates of hell and loud heavy metal blasting through in the background, it’s quite an heavy slot. In terms of gameplay, however, things are much simpler.
You can bet as low as 30p up to $90 per spin. The wild is the mask of Baphomet. It appears on reel 3 only and substitutes for all other symbols apart from the scatter. If you manage to land the lead singer 5 times on a payline you’ll earn a prize worth 10 times your stake. The devilish good times in this slot start with the free spins. To trigger the feature, the wild amulets need to land on reels 1 and 5 accompanied by the Baphomet wild on reel 3. Depending on where the mask lands, you can win 6 or 11 free spins (6 – top and bottom spot on the reel; 11 – center).
The slot will then select a random multiplier as high as 8x and apply it to each spin. You can earn the so-called Hell Spins during this bonus feature by landing two wild amulets on reels 1 and 5 again (triggers 4-8 free spins). Furthermore, if you also land the wild on the central reel during the Hell Spins round, the slot will randomly award you with 6-10 free spins more. During the bonus round, you can win a maximum prize worth 2,500 times your stake which is not bad at all.
If you’re in for a hella good time, Demon is a slot that’s worth it.
One Armed Bandit Slot – Yggdrasil Gaming
Developed by Yggdrasil Gaming, One Armed Bandit is a slot that will take you back to the wild, Wild West. The name is a direct homage to legacy slots that have been called one-armed bandits in the past. As an Yggdrasil slot, One Armed Bandit is nothing short of a masterfully crafted piece with impressive graphics and quite a great payout as well.The slot has 5 reels and 20 paylines. You can bet between 0.10 and 40 credits per spin to try and win the massive 472,000 coins jackpot. On the reels, you can expect cowboys, spurs, six shooters and other symbols associated with the wild, lawless west. Of course, there’s a bandit and a sheriff all right – they are the game’s feature symbols.
Wilds will boost your wins with a 5x multiplier. They only appear on selected reels during respins, but appear on all reels during the free spins round. The first four scatters on the reels will give you a respin each for free. All those scatters can also turn to wilds and give you another respin, this time with enhanced features. Land a 5th scatter and you’ll claim the premium prize – 10 free spins.
The bonus round is unique as it starts with a multiplier of 5x. If you get any extra wild multipliers, the number can rise up to 20x. Each bonus symbol during the round will give you an additional respin, while two bonus symbols boost your wins 5 times.
All in all, One Armed Bandit is a great slot that will transport you back to the Wild West. There’s a new sheriff in town, and his role is busting bandits and earning serious cash.
Relic Seekers Slot – Microgaming
If you’re a fan of slots, you know that Microgaming is probably the best developer in the business. The industry-leading giant releases hundreds of slots each year, with Relic Seekers looking like their next hit title. Adding a nice twist to an otherwise standard adventure theme, it’s a slot that looks on par with modern video games and has features to die for. Relic Seekers puts you in the shoes of Chinese explorers who delve into the ancient relic of Huangdi’s era. It’s an immersive and visually amazing experience spiced up with several exciting gameplay features. Your goal is to uncover the ultimate treasure and claim it for yourself. With mysterious symbols on the reels and priceless relics, it’s a slot that will take you on the adventure of your lifetime.
The basic game is pretty simple. There are 5 reels in total with 25 fixed betways. You set your coins size (available from $0.01 to $25 per line) and spin the reels. It’s a slot of high variance which means you can expect to land top prizes worth up to 4,500 times your stake. It’s a pretty generous payout should you be lucky to land the jackpot.
Thanks to the Rolling Reels feature, the winning symbols are replaced by new ones which give you a new chance to win. Score two or more wins in a row to trigger the Symbols Turn Wild feature, which turns high-value symbols into wilds for boosted wins.
The main highlight of the slot is the free spins bonus round. Land 3, 4 or 5 scatters and you can earn 10 free spins with the Collect Key feature. This feature enables you to collect key symbols that grant you even more free spins, this time with a 2x multiplier.
Relic Seekers is another perfect Microgaming adventure which we’re sure you’ll love. Give it a spin as soon as it comes out and go on a special adventure that promises massive prizes.
