Ancient Egypt Classic (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Ancient Egypt Classic: Slot Overview 

Ancient Egypt Classic by Pragmatic Play is a slot game designed for fans of the classic “Book of” slots, offering a visually appealing, pyramid-inspired gaming experience. This game introduces players to the familiar 5-reel, 3-row setup with 10 fixed paylines. Released in October 2018, it builds on the foundation of similar Book-style slots like Book of Ra and Book of Dead, but with subtle enhancements that make it stand out. With an RTP of 96.51%, high volatility, and a maximum win of 5,015x the stake, Ancient Egypt Classic promises an engaging and potentially lucrative experience for players. While not groundbreaking, it provides a polished alternative in a highly competitive niche. 

Let’s explore how its design, mechanics, and features make Ancient Egypt Classic worth a spin. 

Design and Graphics 

Pragmatic Play has a reputation for producing visually stunning slot games, and Ancient Egypt Classic is no exception. The slot’s aesthetic captures the mystical allure of ancient Egyptian tombs. The game’s interface features hieroglyph-encrusted pillars, glowing flaming torches, and a detailed, treasure-laden backdrop reminiscent of a pharaoh’s treasure room. 

The golden reels are adorned with both high-paying symbols like the Eye of Horus, Ankh crosses, Anubis, and Cleopatra, and lower-value card symbols (10 through Ace), which are styled to blend seamlessly into the theme. The slot’s attention to detail is commendable, with smooth animations and an atmospheric Egyptian soundtrack that immerses players into the world of pyramids and pharaohs. 

While the design doesn’t stray far from the classic Egyptian motif, it is executed with a degree of polish and charm that makes the game visually appealing for new and seasoned players alike.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Ancient Egypt Classic employs a straightforward and user-friendly mechanic, ensuring it appeals to a broad audience. The game’s 5×3 grid and 10 fixed paylines are familiar to fans of classic slots, making it easy to grasp for first-time players. 

Winning combinations occur when three or more matching symbols align on a payline, starting from the leftmost reel. Cleopatra, the highest-paying symbol, can award players a whopping 5,000 times the stake when five land on a payline. 

What sets Ancient Egypt Classic apart is its bonus feature, which centers around a special expanding symbol mechanic during free spins. This feature can significantly boost payouts by increasing the chances of full-reel wins across multiple paylines. Combined with high volatility, the game has the potential to deliver massive rewards, though dry spells are to be expected. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack in Ancient Egypt Classic complements its theme perfectly, creating an immersive gaming atmosphere. The music is subtle and mysterious, featuring soft drum beats, ethereal wind instruments, and hints of chimes that evoke the haunting aura of a hidden tomb. 

Sound effects during spins and wins are equally engaging, adding a sense of excitement with every payout. The audio design is well-balanced, enhancing the gameplay experience without becoming intrusive or repetitive. Pragmatic Play’s attention to detail in sound design ensures that the auditory elements contribute to the overall atmosphere of the game. 

Bonus Features 

Ancient Egypt Classic’s standout feature is its Free Spins Bonus, which is triggered by landing three or more golden scarab scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Here’s a closer look at this feature: 

Triggering Free Spins: 

Landing three, four, or five scarab symbols awards 10 free spins, regardless of their position on the grid. Additionally, scatter wins can pay up to 200x the stake. 

Expanding Symbol Mechanic: 

Before the free spins begin, one symbol is randomly selected as the expanding symbol. This chosen symbol can cover an entire reel whenever it lands, creating additional winning combinations. 

Notably, the expanding symbols pay anywhere on the reels, even if they are not adjacent, as long as enough of them appear. 

Max Win Potential: 

The game’s maximum win of 5,015x the stake is achieved by filling the screen with five Cleopatra symbols during the free spins round. 

This feature is straightforward yet highly effective, offering players the potential for massive payouts. Its simplicity makes it accessible to casual players, while its high stakes ensure it remains exciting for high rollers. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Ancient Egypt Classic caters to a wide range of players with its flexible betting options. The minimum bet starts at just €0.10, making it accessible to budget-conscious players, while high rollers can stake up to €50 per spin. This broad betting range ensures that the game appeals to players of all financial levels. 

Paytable Highlights: 

• Low-value symbols: Card royals (10 to Ace) offer payouts ranging from 0.5x to 15x the stake for three to five matching symbols. 

• High-value symbols: The Eye of Horus, Ankh cross, Anubis, and Cleopatra provide significantly higher payouts, with Cleopatra offering up to 5,000x the stake for five on a payline. 

• Scatter wins: The golden scarab can pay up to 200x the stake when five land anywhere on the reels. 

With its high volatility, players can expect long stretches of minimal wins punctuated by occasional big payouts. The RTP of 96.51% is slightly above average for the genre, offering a fair return over extended play sessions. 

Conclusion 

Ancient Egypt Classic by Pragmatic Play is a solid entry in the “Book of” slot genre, offering polished visuals, engaging gameplay, and the potential for significant payouts. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, its execution is top-notch, making it a reliable choice for fans of Egyptian-themed slots. 

The game’s high volatility and expanding symbol mechanic ensure that the free spins round is the highlight, capable of delivering adrenaline-pumping moments and substantial rewards. Its RTP of 96.51% is competitive, and the betting range makes it accessible to both casual players and high rollers. 

That said, Ancient Egypt Classic doesn’t deviate significantly from its predecessors like Book of Dead or Book of Ra, which means it might not appeal to players looking for something entirely new. However, for those who enjoy the familiar mechanics and aesthetic of classic Egyptian slots, this game is a fantastic option. 

Whether you’re a seasoned slot enthusiast or a newcomer drawn to the allure of ancient treasures, Ancient Egypt Classic is worth a spin. It might not dethrone its iconic predecessors, but it certainly earns its place as a worthy alternative.