Frankenstein slot
Net Entertainment’s tie-in with Universal pictures has had us quaking in anticipation for some time, so it’s only fitting that they should theme a slot game on the classic horror flick Frankenstein. This 20 line, 5-reel spookfest takes its cue from the definitive 1931 movie, and features on its symbols the foolhardy Doctor himself, hunchback assistant Fritz, Boris Karloff’s definitive monster – and, of course, his brain, stored in a jar.
There’s a spooky opening introducing us to the crazy doctor’s world, with the game itself set inside his creepy lab in front of a medical screen that masks us from the horrors that lie beyond it. Sound effects are sparse and clunky, in keeping with the theme, and the overall effect is a respectful homage to the movie, without resorting to tacky ideas or cartoonish images.
You can select from 1 to 20 lines, alter your bet level from 1 to 10 and your coin value from 1p to 50p. That means bet levels can range from 1p to £100, giving plenty of scope to play whether you’ve got monster-sized pockets or otherwise . The aforementioned symbols are complemented by grim, slime-encrusted playing card symbols, with basic win line combinations paying from 3 coins up to 1500 coins for 5 monsters in a row.
This game really comes alive, though, by activating feature play: Firstly there’s the Universal-trademarked Linked Wilds to watch out for. These turn 2 or more adjacent reels wild, boosting your winning chances dramatically, and appear on the middle 3 reels in either regular or free spin mode. They come with a highly-dramatic lightening effect and a great air of uncertainty, as you never know which adjacent symbols will be electrified by them.
Free spins are activated by the burning windmill symbol. 3 or more of these gets you 10 free spins, with additional freebies still applicable during your free play. Multipliers of up to 5 apply to win line combinations during free spins, meaning the basic win line maximum of 1500 coins can become 7500 at bet level 1. Bet the maximum and you’re looking at a monstrous 75,000 coins, or £37,500 at the highest coin level.
Net’s eagerly-awaited first branded game in association with Universal is an electrifying experience, delivering shock and awe in equal measure as you make your intrepid journey through this classic story. The first ever use of Linked Wilds is a great shot in the arm, injecting megavolts of extra excitement as you see them land and then spread their electricity out to neighbouring symbols. Add to this a potential 5 times multiplier and things start to add up to more than the sum of their parts, resulting in a slot game that’s every bit as classic as Mary Shelley’s inspirational story.
