Codex of Fortune (NetEnt) Slot Review

Codex of Fortune: Slot Overview 

NetEnt’s Codex of Fortune, released on June 30, 2021, is an upgraded version of its predecessor Turn Your Fortune. Although both slots share many core mechanics and visual cues, Codex of Fortune introduces an extra dose of strategy, volatility, and win potential, catapulting it into a more hardcore tier of slot gaming. Where Turn Your Fortune capped its rewards at 2,000x the bet, Codex of Fortune raises the bar with a massive maximum win of 10,000x and a configurable RTP range between 90.2% and 98%, depending on player strategy.Set across 5 reels and 4 rows, with 40 fixed paylines, the game weaves a narrative of artful sophistication and intricate rewards systems. Codex of Fortune may appear deceptively simple, but underneath lies a treasure trove of layered mechanics: Fortune Wins, Fortune Respins, free spins, collectible symbols, and a unique Save the Keys feature. With high volatility and a respectable 25.4% hit frequency, this game is best suited for players seeking deep gameplay complexity and sizeable long-term potential.

Design and Graphics 

NetEnt is known for its visual polish, and Codex of Fortune is no exception. The game continues the French Art Nouveau style established in its predecessor but replaces the burgundy red of Turn Your Fortune with a deep midnight blue theme. This subtle shift in palette adds a sense of mystery and elegance that reflects the arcane, codex-like vault you’re trying to unlock. 

The UI is adorned with gold scrollwork, ornamental frames, and mechanical gears that suggest a clockwork puzzle box just waiting to be solved. The symbols are visually consistent with the theme: J-A royal symbols are delicately stylized, while premium icons include gold-inlaid creatures like owls, turtles, fish, lions, and shells — all recalling Fabergé-style ornamentation. The wild symbol, an elaborate butterfly, is a stunning centerpiece that enhances the game’s aesthetic charm. 

The entire setup feels luxurious, with just enough mechanical flair to sell the codex gimmick without overwhelming the player. Codex of Fortune is a polished evolution of its original, even if not drastically different.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, Codex of Fortune remains a classic 40-payline slot where wins occur when three or more matching symbols land from left to right across the reels. The high volatility means that although wins don’t come too frequently, they can be substantial, especially in bonus rounds. The hit frequency of 25.4% equates to roughly one win every four spins, striking a middle ground between grind and gratification. 

Symbols can land stacked, which means it’s possible to fill the entire grid with high-value symbols for massive payouts. Low pays (J-A) serve their purpose, while premium symbols pay between 3x and 10x your stake for five-of-a-kind wins. The game’s wild, represented by a luxurious butterfly, substitutes for all regular symbols to assist in forming winning combinations. 

Crucially, Codex of Fortune introduces the Fortune Wins cylinder — a rotating ladder of prizes — and integrates several layered bonus systems that revolve around collecting keys and symbols to climb the cylinder’s five tiers. These mechanics are where the true depth lies.

Sound and Music 

Codex of Fortune delivers an elegant audio experience to match its visuals. The ambient music is minimalistic and mysterious, evoking the sense of exploring an ancient vault or deciphering a secret manuscript. The occasional chimes, mechanical clinks, and rewarding “unlock” sounds blend harmoniously with the gameplay and theme. 

The game does not feature any overbearing announcers or cheesy jingles. Instead, it focuses on refined, satisfying audio cues that enhance gameplay moments — particularly when triggering features or climbing the prize ladder. It’s a soundtrack you can play through for extended sessions without fatigue.

Bonus Features 

Codex of Fortune is packed with engaging and interconnected features:Fortune Wins

Located to the left of the reels, the Fortune Wins cylinder is the game’s central prize mechanic. It contains five horizontal tiers, each with five segments increasing in value — up to a whopping 10,000x your bet during free spins. You climb the ladder by collecting symbols or activating features like Save the Keys. 

Fortune Respins

Triggered when 2 scatter symbols land, all non-winning symbols are removed, leaving one winning combination and initiating a respin. The symbols involved become collectible, and each time they land again, they are collected. Every 5 collectible symbols move the cylinder one tier higher. Respins continue until no new collectible symbols or keys appear. 

Save the Keys

When respins end, any keys collected can be saved for future use. These keys allow you to start higher on the Fortune Wins ladder during a free spins round. This introduces a risk-reward decision: use them now or bank them for better rewards later. Saving keys also increases your RTP potential, pushing it closer to the maximum 98%. 

Free Spins

Triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5, the free spins round begins with a bonus spin to determine: 

Number of free spins (7–13) 

A key symbol to aid in climbing the Fortune Wins 

A collectible symbol 

During free spins, each collected symbol fills a 20-space meter. Every full meter moves you one level up on the prize ladder, giving the round a highly strategic dimension. The Save the Keys mechanic can carry over saved progress and dramatically enhance payout potential. 

The blend of accumulation and strategy makes the free spins round particularly engaging, and it’s here that most of the game’s massive payout potential resides.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Codex of Fortune is highly accessible, with a betting range from €0.20 to €100 per spin. The fixed 40 paylines ensure a consistent betting structure, while the variable RTP (from 90.2% to 98%) gives players control over their strategic approach. 

Here’s how RTP breaks down: 

Average RTP with standard play: 96% 

Optimal RTP (via Save the Keys & strategic play): up to 98% 

This dynamic RTP is a unique feature in the slot world and adds an extra layer of engagement for players who enjoy optimizing their gameplay. 

The maximum win of 10,000x your stake makes Codex of Fortune a genuine high-potential slot. However, the maximum win probability is a rare 1 in 34,378,649, which means chasing that top prize will take patience — or a lot of spins.

Conclusion 

Codex of Fortune is NetEnt’s refined answer to the solid but slightly underwhelming Turn Your Fortune. While the two share a visual language and structural blueprint, Codex builds on it with increased volatility, expanded features, and a huge jump in maximum win potential from 2,000x to 10,000x the bet. 

Where it shines is in the layered gameplay: the combination of Fortune Wins, Respins, Free Spins, and the Save the Keys mechanic gives players tactical control over their destiny — a rare treat in the slot universe. It also means there’s always a decision to make: play it safe or chase the big fish? 

For those who enjoy complex slots with multiple pathways to high rewards, Codex of Fortune is an outstanding choice. It doesn’t rely solely on random luck; instead, it empowers players to shape outcomes — at least in part — through strategic play. The elegant design, immersive features, and substantial payout ceiling make this one of the more satisfying high-volatility slots in NetEnt’s catalogue. 

In short, Codex of Fortune is a game that rewards patience, planning, and persistence — the kind of slot that serious players will want to crack open, time and time again.