Blazing Wilds Megaways (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Blazing Wilds Megaways: Slot Overview 

Blazing Wilds Megaways, a fiery addition to Pragmatic Play’s extensive catalog, brings the thrilling Megaways mechanic together with a dazzling joker-themed design. With its six reels that can vary from 2 to 7 rows, this game offers up to a staggering 117,649 ways to win, ensuring no two spins are ever quite the same. At its heart, Blazing Wilds Megaways revolves around its unique Expanding Wild feature, which brings multipliers and tumbling reels into the mix for potentially explosive outcomes. If you’re looking for an online slot that combines flashy aesthetics with high-octane gameplay, this might just be your game. 

The game’s RTP varies between 96.06%, 94.96%, and 92.03%, depending on your location or casino settings, ensuring it appeals to a wide range of players. However, with high volatility, Blazing Wilds Megaways caters mostly to thrill-seekers who don’t mind taking risks for big rewards, including a potential max win of 10,000x the bet. Released on January 18, 2024, the game has already gained attention for its dynamic gameplay and eye-catching visuals.

Design and Graphics 

Blazing Wilds Megaways leans heavily into a jazzy, Joker-inspired theme. The backdrop is a neon-drenched casino stage, complete with flashy lights and a disco-infused atmosphere. Standing proudly beside the reels is a jester-like harlequin character, adding a whimsical flair to the overall presentation. The animations are smooth, with reels cascading seamlessly and symbols glowing during wins, giving off an energetic vibe. 

The symbols themselves include the usual playing card royals (10 to Ace) for lower payouts, while premium symbols are represented by rings, stacks of money, diamonds, and golden bells. The wild symbol, adorned with flames, is the star of the show, and its Expanding Wild functionality is beautifully animated. While the aesthetic is undeniably vibrant, some players might find the over-the-top neon and plasticky visuals a tad garish, but they fit perfectly with the game’s high-energy vibe. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

The core gameplay of Blazing Wilds Megaways revolves around the Megaways engine, with 6 reels capable of holding between 2 to 7 symbols each spin. This variability means that the number of ways to win changes with every spin, reaching a maximum of 117,649 ways. 

The game features a tumble mechanic, where winning symbols disappear, making room for new ones to fall into place. This process continues until no new winning combinations are formed, allowing for chain reactions that can rack up impressive payouts in a single spin. The top row of the grid isn’t just there for show—it displays multipliers that come into play during the Expanding Wild feature, adding an extra layer of excitement. 

Premium symbols pay between 1x and 1.25x the bet for six-of-a-kind wins, while the lower-paying royals award between 0.5x and 1x for the same combination. Wild symbols can substitute for all other symbols (except scatters), appearing on reels 2 through 5, where their expanding mechanic kicks into high gear. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Blazing Wilds Megaways is an upbeat, jazzy affair, blending disco beats with casino-style jingles. While the music enhances the lively atmosphere of the game, it might not be to everyone’s taste, as it can feel repetitive after extended play sessions. Sound effects, including the satisfying clinks of tumbling symbols and the fiery whoosh of expanding wilds, are well-executed and add to the immersive experience. However, players who prefer a more subdued audio backdrop might find the relentless energy of the music a bit overwhelming. 

Bonus Features 

Expanding Wilds 

The game’s namesake feature, Expanding Wilds, is central to its appeal. When a wild symbol lands on the reels, it expands upwards until it fills the entire reel. Once fully expanded, the wild activates a multiplier equal to the number of wilds on the reel. This multiplier applies to all wins passing through the expanded wild, and if multiple multipliers are present, they multiply each other for even bigger payouts. 

Free Spins 

Landing 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols activates the Free Spins feature, awarding 15, 20, or 25 free spins, respectively. During free spins, the Expanding Wild feature is supercharged, with each multiplier doubling the amount of wilds on a reel. This makes free spins the most lucrative part of the game, especially when paired with the tumble mechanic that can lead to consecutive wins. Unfortunately, free spins cannot be retriggered, so maximizing their potential is key. 

Buy Free Spins 

Impatient players can bypass the base game by purchasing the Free Spins feature for 100x the current bet. While this guarantees entry to the bonus round, the RTP slightly decreases to 95.93%, making it a calculated risk for players who want immediate action. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Blazing Wilds Megaways accommodates a wide range of players with its flexible betting options, starting at a modest €0.20 and going up to a high roller-friendly €240 per spin. The game’s max win potential of 10,000x the bet makes it appealing to those chasing big payouts, though achieving this is statistically rare, with a max win probability of 1 in 3,022,974. 

The varying RTP settings (96.06%, 94.96%, and 92.03%) mean players should check their casino’s version to ensure they’re getting the best return possible. With a hit frequency of 1 in 4 spins, there’s a decent chance of landing smaller wins frequently enough to keep things interesting, even during dry spells.

Conclusion 

Blazing Wilds Megaways is a solid entry in Pragmatic Play’s ever-expanding portfolio, combining a jazzy aesthetic with the popular Megaways mechanic. The Expanding Wild feature adds a unique twist to the gameplay, and the high volatility ensures that every spin carries the potential for massive payouts, especially during the free spins round. However, its reliance on flashy visuals and energetic music might not appeal to players looking for a more subdued experience. 

The game’s high max win potential and wide betting range make it suitable for both casual players and high rollers, though its high volatility means patience and a healthy bankroll are recommended. If you’re a fan of vibrant themes and action-packed gameplay, Blazing Wilds Megaways is worth a spin. For others, its jazzy joker vibe might feel like an acquired taste, but there’s no denying the excitement it brings to the reels.