The jungles in South and Central America are possibly some of the least explored and investigated areas in the world. A slot game made on such a premise sounds more than lucrative, right?
Meet Book of Itza, a slot game that is anything but conventional. Developed by Pariplay Ltd and released in 2021, this game has hit the ground running, quickly becoming a fan favorite, with its good winning potential and visually appealing gameplay widely praised.
Now, it’s time to see if this game is as good as claimed. We played the game on our HighBet casino, and now we’ll give you our opinion and everything players need to know before putting their money in it.
Tech Features
First loading of the game, and we see the amazing graphic details. As we turn to play, we see the layout, and we were pretty amazed to see that this it has 4-rows and 5-reels, and an abundance of paylines – 1024 to be precise!
What we really liked about the game from a technical standpoint was the turbo spin option – you hold space, and the game just goes spin after spin like crazy! Perfect for players with no time to waste, and in need of adrenaline.
RTP and Volatility
The game has an RTP ratio of 94.14%, with a hit rate of 17.66%, and it belongs in the category of games that have mid-to-high volatility, which means players should expect the game to hit in more intervals with low-to-mid winnings.
Design and Theme
Once you take a look at the design and all the colors, you know where you are – in a Mayan legend. Listening to the eerie music gave us goosebumps at first, but as we played on, it immersed us fully into the world of the game.
Shiny symbols, Mayan magic, and vast riches – we were more than satisfied with what we saw and got.
The layout of the options menu and the control are very simple. In fact, you have something resembling a joystick controller on the right side of the slot, on which you have all the controls you need. Bet adjustment, menu with info, and the spin/auto-spin options.
Symbols, Betting, and Payouts
The novel options of the game end here. When it comes to the symbols, we saw that the classic 10-to-A symbols are here, and you also have some exclusive Mayan symbols like the Mayan coin, the Mayan mask, and the Mayan tablet. The highest paying symbols are the Mayan queen and the Mayan king.
In total, 12 symbols which also include a Wild and a Scatter symbol, which can do wonders once they start hitting the reels.
Bonuses
We knew there was a bonus of some sorts hiding in this game, and at first we thought it had something to do with the Wild. Once a Wild symbol hits the field of play, it leaves a sort of golden frame on that particular spot, and getting all the spots on a reel with a frame activates a Locked Frame which gives you a few free respins and a multiplier, which can get charged up if in one of these you get another Wild symbol.
That is, all these amazing features come on top of the standard Wild feature – substituting for all symbols except the scatter.
But this isn’t the only bonus in the game – once you get three Scatter symbols (the Book of Itza), you enter the bonus game, which is 12 free spins!
Additional Features
While the main mechanics of Book of Itza already make it a thrilling game to play, there are additional features that stand out. One of the most exciting aspects of this slot game is its highly engaging bonus round.
The Locked Frame feature, triggered by Wild symbols, has been a favorite among players. This feature increases the chances of winning big by allowing for additional respins and multipliers. When a Wild lands, it marks its position with a golden frame. If the entire reel fills with these golden frames, the Locked Frame feature is triggered, and the player can earn more free spins, all while increasing their potential payouts.
Additionally, there is the ever-important Scatter symbol, which can trigger the Free Spins feature. Players who land three Book of Itza symbols on the reels will be rewarded with 12 free spins, an invaluable opportunity to rack up winnings. The free spins can even be retriggered if the player lands more Scatters during the feature, which keeps the game exciting and allows for even more chances to win big.
Graphics and Sound Design
Visually, Book of Itza is breathtaking. The Mayan theme is evident in every aspect, from the symbols to the background. The lush, mysterious jungle setting transports players to another world, and the dynamic lighting adds to the excitement. The gold accents on the reels glimmer, while the colorful symbols, like the Mayan queen and king, come to life with impressive detail.
The background music adds a level of tension and drama, enhancing the experience of venturing into an ancient civilization’s hidden treasures. The soft tribal drums and haunting melodies fit the theme perfectly, keeping players immersed in the atmosphere.
In addition to the visual and audio design, the game is optimized to function seamlessly across both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring that players can enjoy the game no matter where they are. The interface is intuitive, and navigating through the game’s options is straightforward.
Strategy and Tips
While the game’s mechanics and features can be thrilling on their own, having a strategy in place can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips to make the most out of your Book of Itza experience:
1. **Know Your Bet Size** – Betting too high too quickly can lead to losing your bankroll before you’ve had a chance to trigger the bonus rounds. Start with smaller bets to get a feel for the game and adjust your stakes as you go.
2. **Maximize the Free Spins** – The Free Spins round is where you can win the most, so it’s important to aim for three Scatters and trigger this bonus. With 12 free spins and the potential to retrigger them, your chances of walking away with a big win increase dramatically.
3. **Use Turbo Spin for Speed** – For those who don’t want to wait for the reels to stop slowly, the Turbo Spin option can speed up the gameplay, allowing you to experience more spins in a shorter period of time. This is especially useful if you’re trying to trigger the bonus features quickly.
4. **Keep an Eye on the Wilds** – The Wild symbol not only substitutes for other symbols to form winning combinations, but it also plays a key role in unlocking the Locked Frame feature. Wilds can appear in the most unexpected places, so it’s essential to stay alert.
5. **Play for Fun** – Like any slot game, the most important thing is to have fun. Book of Itza is designed to entertain, so don’t get too focused on chasing big wins. Enjoy the immersive theme, beautiful graphics, and exciting gameplay as you play.
Verdict
Not the highest of RTPs, but definitely a boat-load of fun. Book of Itza was an amazing experience for all of us who tried the game out, and the one thing we can tell all players is this – play it, you won’t feel the difference in the RTP, and to be fair, you’ll barely notice.
The sleek new design and all the different ways you can win definitely got this slot in the top games we’d play on and on, and they’d end up in your list of faves after a few spins as well.
Want to try it out? Click HERE!
