Cleocatra (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Cleocatra: Slot Overview 

Step into the sands of Ancient Egypt, but this time, with a twist—cats take the center stage in Cleocatra, an online slot from Pragmatic Play. Feline-themed slots are not new, but combining them with Egyptian aesthetics gives Cleocatra a unique appeal. The game features a 5×4 reel setup with 40 fixed paylines, creating plenty of opportunities for action-packed spins. Released on May 26, 2022, Cleocatra brings high volatility, an RTP of 95.50%, and a maximum win of 5,000x your stake. With its combination of charming cat characters and traditional Egyptian imagery, this slot aims to attract both cat enthusiasts and fans of Egyptian lore. 

Design and Graphics 

Cleocatra’s visual style is vibrant and polished, a hallmark of Pragmatic Play’s slot games. The backdrop is a picturesque Egyptian desert, complete with pyramids, golden sands, and a clear blue sky. Traditional Egyptian elements, such as columns and hieroglyphic carvings, blend seamlessly with the playful feline theme. Cats take the spotlight as premium symbols, each decked out in pharaonic headgear and luxurious jewelry, portraying them as the rulers of this quirky Egyptian kingdom. The user interface is smooth and intuitive, with clear bet controls and a straightforward layout. The animations are crisp, particularly when wilds and scatters come into play, giving the game an energetic vibe. The game’s design may not break new ground, but the playful cat theme sets it apart from the crowded Egyptian slot market. 

Gameplay Mechanics 

Cleocatra operates on a 5-reel, 4-row grid, offering 40 fixed paylines. Wins are achieved by landing three or more matching symbols on a payline, starting from the leftmost reel. The game’s math model boasts high volatility, meaning big wins are possible, though less frequent. 

The premium symbols include four distinct cats, each offering payouts between 5x and 20x your stake for five-of-a-kind. Lower-paying symbols are represented by traditional card royals (10-A), decorated in Egyptian style. The wild symbol, a regal Cleocatra icon, substitutes for all other symbols except the scatter. Notably, wilds can carry multipliers of x2 or x3, which combine when part of the same winning line. 

The gameplay offers a mix of traditional slot mechanics with added excitement, thanks to the multiplier wilds and sticky wilds that appear during bonus features. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Cleocatra is a fusion of Egyptian-inspired melodies and playful, lighthearted tunes to match the game’s feline theme. The music creates an immersive experience, with rhythmic drum beats and mystical undertones that evoke the ancient Egyptian setting. Sound effects, such as the jingling of coins during a win or the dramatic chime when bonus features trigger, further enhance the atmosphere. While the audio is fitting for the theme, it is not particularly innovative and follows the formula of most Pragmatic Play slots. 

Bonus Features 

Cleocatra features two primary bonus mechanics: the Respin Feature and Free Spins with Sticky Wilds. Both add depth to the gameplay and provide opportunities for significant wins. Respin Feature 

Triggered in the base game when a full stack of matching cat symbols lands on reel 1, the Respin Feature locks the stacked symbols in place along with any wilds. All other reels respin, and this continues until no new matching symbols or wilds appear. This feature can lead to impressive wins, especially when high-value symbols are involved. 

Free Spins 

The paw print scatter is the key to unlocking the Free Spins round. Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatters awards 8, 12, or 16 free spins, respectively. During the bonus, all wild symbols that land become sticky and remain in place for the duration of the round. If a full stack of matching cat symbols lands on the leftmost reel, players are awarded +2 additional free spins, extending the feature and increasing win potential. The sticky wilds, combined with their multipliers, can result in significant payouts if positioned strategically across the reels. 

Buy Free Spins For impatient players, Cleocatra offers a Bonus Buy option, allowing you to purchase entry into the Free Spins round for 100x your bet. This feature is not available in all jurisdictions but is a convenient way to skip directly to the high-stakes action. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Cleocatra caters to a wide range of players with a flexible betting range of €0.20 to €100 per spin. The RTP is set at 95.50%, slightly below the industry standard but acceptable for a high-volatility slot. The game’s hit frequency is approximately 1 in 3 spins, providing a balance between smaller wins and the anticipation of landing a major payout. 

The maximum win is capped at 5,000x your bet, which is achieved through the game’s combination of wild multipliers and sticky wilds during Free Spins. This potential is respectable but falls slightly short compared to other high-volatility slots in Pragmatic Play’s portfolio. 

Conclusion 

Cleocatra combines an engaging theme, high-quality visuals, and solid gameplay mechanics to deliver a fun and entertaining slot experience. The Egyptian setting is familiar territory for slot enthusiasts, but the feline twist adds a layer of charm that makes the game stand out. The Respin Feature and Sticky Wilds in the Free Spins round provide ample opportunities for rewarding payouts, especially for players who enjoy high-volatility slots. 

However, the game doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The RTP is slightly below average, and the maximum win of 5,000x, while decent, may not satisfy high rollers looking for astronomical potential. Additionally, Cleocatra’s reliance on borrowed features from other Pragmatic Play slots might leave some players longing for something more innovative. 

That said, Cleocatra is an excellent choice for casual players and fans of cat-themed games or Egyptian slots. Its polished design, straightforward mechanics, and fun features make it a delightful addition to Pragmatic Play’s library, even if it doesn’t claw its way to the very top.