Book of Tut Megaways (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

 Book of Tut Megaways: Slot Overview

The adventurous John Hunter returns with Book of Tut Megaways, Pragmatic Play’s latest addition to the franchise. This time, John dives into the treasure-laden Egyptian tombs, with a twist—an expanded Megaways format that spices up gameplay with more ways to win. With the Megaways mechanic, players are offered up to 117,649 winning ways, increasing anticipation with every spin. It’s a visually appealing slot that combines the charm of Ancient Egypt with modern slot features, making it perfect for players who love the ‘book of’ slot genre but are looking for added excitement. 

Released on September 11, 2023, this high-volatility slot offers a maximum win potential of 10,000x your bet, setting the stage for thrilling gameplay. The slot’s 96% RTP is standard, with the addition of dynamic bet multipliers and high hit frequency, ensuring there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a casual spinner or a high roller. 

Design and Graphics

Pragmatic Play stays true to the Ancient Egyptian aesthetic, with stunning visuals that immerse players in a world of pharaohs and hieroglyphs. The reel set is framed by intricate golden structures, blending seamlessly with the desert landscape and grand pyramids in the background. The symbols include familiar Egyptian motifs: Tutankhamun masks, sacred cats, and scarabs, all rendered in vivid detail. 

The overall design pays homage to earlier John Hunter slots, but the Megaways mechanic breathes fresh life into the visuals. Each spin varies the number of symbols on the reels, creating dynamic changes to the grid’s appearance. The animations are smooth, and the transitions—especially during wins or free spins—are clean and engaging. This polished aesthetic adds to the player experience, creating an atmosphere of mystery and adventure. 

Gameplay Mechanics

The game utilizes the Megaways mechanic, with 6 reels that can display between 2 and 7 symbols per reel. This dynamic reel system provides players with up to 117,649 ways to win. Regular combinations pay from left to right, beginning from the first reel, and expanding symbols pay from any position. The variable grid setup ensures no two spins look the same, maintaining player engagement. 

Key Features: 

Base Game: The base game is straightforward yet immersive, with frequent payouts due to the high number of potential winning combinations. It also features randomly selected special expanding symbols, a mechanic that’s available in both the base game and bonus round. 

Ante Bet Option: Players can activate the Ante Bet, which increases the stake by 25%. This, in turn, enhances the likelihood of triggering the free spins feature—a welcome addition for those chasing bonus rounds. 

Sound and Music

The soundtrack is an exotic blend of traditional Egyptian melodies and modern slot music. The background score adds an adventurous tone while maintaining the mystique of Ancient Egypt. During the base game, the music remains subtle, building suspense with each spin. When the free spins trigger, the soundscape intensifies, amplifying the excitement with celebratory tones and triumphant effects that accompany significant wins. Sound effects, such as the flipping of the book or symbols landing on reels, are crisp and immersive, complementing the gameplay without becoming intrusive. 

Bonus Features

Book of Tut Megaways stays true to the ‘book of’ genre by incorporating familiar bonus mechanics while utilizing the Megaways system for a unique twist. Here’s what players can look forward to: 

Special Expanding Symbols: At the start of the bonus round—or randomly during the base game—one pay symbol is selected to become the special expanding symbol. These symbols expand to cover their entire reel if they can form a winning combination, paying from any position. This mechanic, combined with the Megaways format, increases the win potential significantly. 

Free Spins: Landing three or more scatter symbols awards 10 free spins, alongside payouts of 3x, 15x, 100x, or 500x the bet, depending on the number of scatters. The bonus round kicks off with a randomly chosen expanding symbol, and landing three or more scatters during the round adds 10 additional free spins. With no retrigger limits, the free spins feature offers immense potential for prolonged gameplay and massive payouts. 

Buy Free Spins:

For players eager to jump into the action, the bonus round can be purchased for 100x the total stake. While this option guarantees instant access to the free spins feature, it’s a gamble that may appeal more to high-stakes players. 

Betting Options and Payouts

Catering to a wide range of players, Book of Tut Megaways allows bets from €0.20 to €240 per spin, making it accessible to casual players while still appealing to high rollers. The RTP stands at a respectable 96%, although it increases slightly when the Ante Bet is activated. The game’s high volatility ensures significant payouts are possible, but they might require a bit of patience. With a maximum win potential of 10,000x, players can expect lucrative rewards if luck is on their side. 

Paytable Highlights: 

• Low-paying symbols: Standard card ranks (10–A) offer payouts of 0.4x to 0.5x for six-of-a-kind. 

• High-paying symbols: Egyptian-themed icons like the scarab, cat statue, pharaoh, and John Hunter himself provide 0.6x to 2x for six-of-a-kind. 

• Wild Symbol: The book acts as both the wild and scatter, substituting for other symbols while also triggering free spins. 

Conclusion

John Hunter and the Book of Tut Megaways is a polished addition to Pragmatic Play’s John Hunter franchise, combining the tried-and-true charm of Ancient Egypt with the innovative Megaways mechanic. While the gameplay doesn’t stray too far from the ‘book of’ slot formula, the Megaways twist ensures plenty of variety, with up to 117,649 ways to win keeping every spin exciting. The inclusion of expanding symbols in both the base game and bonus round adds a fresh layer of strategy and potential to the experience. 

The game’s graphics and sound design maintain a high standard, delivering an immersive journey into the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. The bonus features—particularly the free spins with special expanding symbols—are a highlight, offering excellent opportunities for substantial payouts. 

Though it may not revolutionize the ‘book of’ genre, Book of Tut Megaways delivers what it promises: an engaging slot with high win potential and dynamic gameplay. Fans of the franchise and Megaways enthusiasts alike will find plenty to enjoy in this thrilling adventure.