Conan (NetEnt) Slot Review

Conan: Slot Overview 

Released in the wake of immense anticipation following its grand reveal at the 2019 London iGaming Conference, Conan by NetEnt is a visually grand, mechanically ambitious, and thematically faithful slot adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s legendary sword-and-sorcery icon. Inspired by the rugged world of the Hyborian Age and Conan’s brutal exploits, NetEnt’s take on this character-driven universe fuses action, mythical danger, and cinematic design into a 6-reel, 4-row, 24-payline format—an unusual configuration from NetEnt, especially outside its Cluster series. 

Conan is a medium volatility slot with a flexible RTP range between 96.01% and 96.65%, a 24.9% hit frequency, and a free spins frequency of 1 in 158 spins. The maximum win potential reaches 2,016x the stake, and stakes range from €0.20 to €200, making the slot suitable for a wide range of players. Packed with multiple reel modifiers, three base game features, and three selectable free spins modes, Conan sets out to deliver a massive gameplay experience—but does it live up to its ambitions?

Design and Graphics 

Visually, Conan is nothing short of a triumph. NetEnt has poured a great deal of artistic energy into recreating the brutal and apocalyptic tone of the Conan universe. The background is dominated by thunderous skies and snow-covered mountains, transporting players to a temple fortress built in stone and flame. The reels sit on rugged stone slabs flanked by imposing columns, and the interface is richly detailed with thematic flourishes.The symbols are a mix of low-value coins embossed with snakes, lions, and falcons, alongside medium-value grappling hooks, swords, and helmets. The premium symbols bring Conan and his world to life: you’ll encounter Valeria, Conan’s fierce companion; the evil Thoth-Amon; and Conan himself, who serves as the highest paying symbol, offering 6x your stake for a 6-of-a-kind combination. 

Altogether, the design succeeds in capturing the essence of dark fantasy. It’s moody, gritty, and impressively rendered—a visual treat that clearly benefitted from a long development cycle.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Conan is structured into three 2×4 reel sections (reels 1–2, 3–4, and 5–6), each tied to a specific bonus mechanic, and the slot employs the Pay-Both-Ways system, allowing wins from left to right and right to left across the 24 fixed paylines. 

The game features Linked Reels, randomly activated during any spin, which mimic the popular Twin Spin mechanic. Any adjacent reel pairs may sync up to produce identical symbol stacks, significantly enhancing your chances for big wins. This feature can produce up to six linked reels during the Free Spins round. 

The combination of expanding wilds, multipliers, random symbol transformations, and battle-style animations adds considerable dynamism to the gameplay. However, with so many modifiers running simultaneously, there’s a risk of convolution—something that becomes apparent the longer you play.

Sound and Music 

NetEnt has invested heavily in creating a powerful and immersive audio experience. The soundtrack is a sweeping, orchestral composition laced with war drums and foreboding strings. It’s cinematic in scope, building tension and reinforcing the high fantasy atmosphere. 

Sound effects are sharp and thematic—sword clashes, roaring flames, and rumbling winds punctuate every spin and win. During the bonus features, the tempo increases dramatically, intensifying the excitement as players edge closer to high-payout combinations. 

In a game where atmosphere is crucial, Conan’s sound design is one of its standout achievements, wrapping the experience in an aural tapestry that matches the visual intensity.

Bonus Features 

Conan’s strength lies in its diverse selection of features, each linked to a specific reel section:Tower Wilds (Reels 1–2): Blue wilds expand vertically to cover the entire reel partially or fully. 

Mystery Symbols (Reels 3–4): When mystery stacks appear, they transform into a single matching symbol. If a full stack lands, it activates the Mystery Multiplier (3x to 7x). If this coincides with Tower Wilds or Battle Wilds, it can also trigger the Thoth-Amon Feature, adding 3–6 mystery symbols randomly on reels 2 to 5. 

Battle Wilds (Reels 5–6): Red wilds expand horizontally up to three positions left or right. 

These modifiers are foundational during both the base game and the Free Spins rounds. The Free Spins Feature is triggered by landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols, rewarding 10, 15, 25, or 50 free spins, respectively. Before entering, you must choose one of three modes, each themed around locations in the Conan universe: 

City of Thieves Free Spins (Medium Variance)
Benefits from frequent Tower Wilds that can appear on any reel and expand vertically. 

Temple of the Serpent Free Spins (High Variance)
Focuses on Mystery Symbols and multipliers. Full stacks trigger the Mystery Multiplier and have a chance of summoning the Thoth-Amon feature for bigger wins. 

Walls of Tarantia Free Spins (Medium Variance)
Revolves around Battle Wilds, which expand sideways and cover adjacent reels. 

These varied modes offer something for every type of player, though in practice, the volatility of Temple of the Serpent is where the game’s maximum potential lies.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Conan offers a wide betting range from €0.20 to €200 per spin, catering to both casual players and high-stakes rollers. With its medium volatility, players can expect moderately frequent wins with balanced payout variance. 

The maximum win possible is 2,016x the stake, a respectable but somewhat modest top prize in the modern high-variance slot environment. It’s achieved primarily via the Temple of the Serpent free spins and full stacks of mystery symbols coupled with high multipliers. 

Paytable highlights include: 

Conan (top symbol): 6x your stake for 6-of-a-kind 

Thoth-Amon and Valeria: Moderate payouts 

Coins and weapons: Low to mid-tier payouts 

While the base game wins can sustain a session, the real payout opportunities emerge in the bonus rounds—though players may find the 1-in-158 free spins trigger rate slightly discouraging during prolonged sessions.

Conclusion 

NetEnt’s Conan is a bold attempt to marry cinematic spectacle with deep gameplay complexity. Visually stunning and aurally engrossing, the slot certainly succeeds in transporting players into Conan’s brutal world. It features an intriguing layout, varied features, and rich thematic consistency that pays homage to the character’s legacy. 

However, despite its thematic brilliance and design polish, Conan struggles under the weight of its own complexity. The plethora of features—while innovative—can feel overwhelming, especially when they rarely deliver the kind of returns one might expect from such a sophisticated engine. With a max win of only 2,016x, its potential doesn’t match the ambition of its design, and this imbalance may leave high-risk players feeling underwhelmed. 

In the best-case scenario, Conan provides an immersive and decently rewarding experience for fans of fantasy and lore-rich slots. In the worst-case, it can feel like a beautiful yet overly complicated journey to mediocrity, especially when bonus triggers are infrequent and features underdeliver.