Zeus vs Hades Gods of War: Slot Overview
While some siblings squabble over what to watch on TV, where to sit in the car, or which slice of cake is the largest, others take their disputes to a grander scale. This is the case with Zeus and Hades, the titanic brothers of the Ancient World, who clash in Zeus vs Hades: Gods of War from Pragmatic Play. This game allows players to engage in two distinct modes, with its most thrilling and frequently emulated feature being Expanding Wilds with Multipliers. You can experience this on platforms like swerte99 for a seamless gaming session.
Classical Greek Themes and Visuals
Zeus and Hades also have a brother, Poseidon, who often appears in online slots either on his own or with the duo. However, Poseidon is not included in Zeus vs Hades: Gods of War. Despite his absence, the game is rich with Classical Greek themes. Although visually striking, it isn’t the most immersive mythology-themed game aesthetically. One noteworthy feature is the ability to switch modes, which alters the scenery from the cool blues of Olympus to the fiery orange-reds of Hades, or vice versa.
Gameplay Mechanics and Betting Options
Before initiating the spin, players encounter at least two choices. Firstly, they engage in the conventional bet selection process, offering a range of options from 10 p/c to $/€100 per spin. Following this, players can opt for one of two modes: Hades or Olympus. Opting for Olympus mode increases the likelihood of triggering free spins but results in lower average free spins wins. Conversely, selecting Hades mode decreases the chances of triggering free spins but leads to higher average free spins wins. The game is classified as highly volatile, with Hades mode being the more volatile of the two. Additionally, it boasts a slightly higher default RTP of 96.07%, whereas Olympus mode maintains a 96.07% RTP. It’s essential to note that lower RTP models are available, so consulting the paytable is advisable.
Symbol Design and Payout Structure
In both modes, the encounter unfolds on a 5×5 gaming panel with 15 fixed bet ways. There are a total of 10 regular paying symbols, comprising half low-paying symbols and half high-paying symbols. The low-paying symbols consist of the 10-A card ranks, rewarding 1x the bet for 5 OAK (five of a kind), while the high-paying symbols are theme-based swerte99 picture symbols specific to each mode, offering 2-20x the bet for 5 OAK. Regular wilds appear on all reels and hold the same value as the top premium symbol, or they serve as substitutes for any regular pay symbol.
Expanding Wilds with Multipliers
Regardless of the chosen game mode, the game maintains consistent features across both options. These include Expanding Wilds with Multipliers, free spins, and the ability to purchase bonuses. Expanding Wilds with Multipliers are available both in the base game and during the bonus round, where these symbols can land on any reel. Apart from their value of up to 20 times the bet for achieving 5 of a kind, Expanding Wilds expand to cover all positions on their respective reel. A confrontation between Zeus and Hades determines the multiplier, ranging from x2 to x100, which is then applied to all wins passing through it. In cases where multiple Expanding Wilds contribute to a win, their multipliers are cumulatively added.
Free Spins Feature
Free Spins are initiated by landing Scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5 during the base game, rewarding 10 free spins. Throughout this feature, any Expanding Wilds that appear remain sticky until the free spins conclude. Like in the base game, Expanding Wilds expand to fill their reel and carry multipliers ranging from x2 to x100. It’s important to note that free spins cannot be retriggered.
Bonus Buy Options
Players have the option to purchase free spins, with several packages available. The first allows for standard Olympus mode free spins at 75 times the bet (RTP 96.04%) or Hades mode free spins at 150 times the bet (RTP 96.14%). Alternatively, players can opt for a package costing 300 times the bet, guaranteeing at least one Expanding Wild symbol on the first free spin of either mode (RTP 96.01% or 96.08%).
Technical and Aesthetic Impressions
Opinions on this slot are mixed. While it introduces some interesting concepts, many of them feel familiar, reminiscent of features seen in slots by other developers, particularly those by Hacksaw Gaming like Warrior Ways or Gladiator Legends. Rumors have circulated for some time about a potential connection between Hacksaw, Pragmatic, and Stake, and the recent releases from Pragmatic only fuel these suspicions further. Nonetheless, while the idea behind Zeus vs Hades Gods of War is intriguing, the actual battle between these ancient titans feels somewhat subdued. The theme also feels swerte99 somewhat tired for Pragmatic Play, known for their fondness of mythology in games like Gates of Olympus. While the studio certainly knows how to leverage impactful imagery, the execution lacks the originality and excitement expected from them.
Conclusion
Despite these criticisms, Zeus vs Hades Gods of War offers technically impressive gameplay. Expanding Wilds can appear on all reels, not just the middle three, which can be particularly advantageous during free spins where they remain sticky until the feature concludes. While one Expanding Wild is helpful, the game truly becomes exciting with two or more locked in place, offering the potential for significant wins. With a respectable maximum win potential of 15,000 times the bet, there’s plenty of room for excitement before reaching the win cap.
The inclusion of dual modes adds an interesting twist, although for players who prefer purchasing bonus rounds, having two modes might seem redundant. Nevertheless, it does add a layer of originality compared to swerte99 sticking with just one mode and the battling Expanding Wild concept, which has been seen before. Despite its lack of originality, Zeus vs Hades Gods of War is a polished release from Pragmatic Play that is likely to find an audience eager to pit these two deities against each other.
