Cursed Treasure (NetEnt) Slot Review

Cursed Treasure: Slot Overview 

NetEnt’s Cursed Treasure, released on March 26, 2024, transports players deep into an overgrown, jungle-cloaked realm where adventure, danger, and buried riches lie in wait. Inspired by pulp-era adventure stories and Indiana Jones-style escapades, the slot offers an atmospheric gaming experience with Cash Prize symbols, Mystery Prizes, and a hold ‘n win-style bonus feature. But instead of playing it all for laughs, NetEnt evokes the suspense and grit of a 1930s–1950s B-movie, complete with an intrepid hero, a dense jungle backdrop, and a series of supernatural twists. 

This 5-reel, 4-row, 20-payline game runs on a low to medium volatility engine with an RTP of 95.99%, giving it a more steady-paced rhythm than the high-stakes thrillers typically found in the modern slot market. Yet, it still manages to pack in excitement thanks to its layered features and collector mechanics. With a maximum win of 5,064x, it doesn’t reach for the sky—but for many players, especially those fond of adventure-themed slots with progressive reward systems, Cursed Treasure delivers more than just an archaeological dig of forgotten ideas.

Design and Graphics 

NetEnt has leaned hard into its classic cinematic influences for the presentation of Cursed Treasure. The slot’s aesthetic is richly styled, combining elements of tropical wilderness, ancient ruins, and dusty treasure maps. The background depicts a lush jungle with stone altars and an ominous glowing cauldron filled with green mist, which acts as the game’s Cursed Treasure meter.The symbols reflect a well-thought-out theme. Low-paying icons are familiar card values from 10 to A, presented in faded stone textures, while high-paying symbols include a map, a journal, and a trio of adventurer characters—each adding a layer of visual personality. The standout animation comes when collecting Cash Prize or Cursed Treasure symbols: the reels flash, meters increase, and reward values clunk satisfyingly onto the board. 

The slot’s art direction is subtle but immersive, creating a sense of place that feels more narrative-driven than most. You’re not just spinning reels—you’re heading into the jungle to uncover relics.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Cursed Treasure employs a 5×4 reel setup with 20 fixed paylines. Standard wins are awarded when 3 to 5 matching symbols land from left to right starting from the first reel. A full line of high-paying symbols can deliver up to 8x the stake, while 5-of-a-kind low-paying royals max out at 1x. 

But the real core of gameplay revolves around Cash Prize and Cursed Treasure symbols, each of which brings layers of added value and engagement. Cash Prizes can pay directly within the base game if three or more land adjacently on a payline, while the Cursed Treasure symbols feed into a persistent collection mechanic. 

The highlight is the transition from base game into free spins, which operate under a hold ‘n win-style system. Here, a three-spin countdown resets with every new symbol that lands, and winning symbols stick to the board—a familiar, rewarding formula with a few unique NetEnt twists.

Sound and Music 

Cursed Treasure’s soundtrack is a mix of suspenseful orchestration, environmental jungle effects, and subtle tribal drumming. The audio design doesn’t overpower but maintains tension as players spin through the reels. 

Spin sounds are crisp and thematic, and special effects during feature triggers are cinematic—particularly the green mist rising from the cauldron when treasure is collected or bonuses activate. The countdown chime during the free spins adds drama and urgency, especially when down to your final spin. 

While not as bombastic as some of NetEnt’s older hits, the audio here is mood-driven and consistent with the slot’s adventurous, slightly eerie setting.

Bonus Features 

Cursed Treasure features a blend of standard slot rewards and sticky-symbol features, centered around three main systems:Cash Prize Symbols 

Appear on all reels in both base and bonus game. 

Values range from 0.5x to 20x the stake. 

Pay when 3+ appear on a payline without gaps. 

Each Cash Prize symbol pays once per spin, even if wilds substitute. 

Cursed Treasure Feature 

Cursed Treasure symbols are collected in a progressive meter starting at 5. 

The meter increases by +1 with each collected symbol. 

Feature can trigger randomly or automatically at 20. 

Triggers a Cash Prize drop: values from 0.5x to 5x (meter < 20) or 0.5x to 20x (meter ≥ 20). 

After triggering, the meter resets to 5. 

Free Spins (Hold ‘n Win Style) 

Triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols. 

Start with 3 spins, resetting with each new symbol. 

Only Cash Prize, Mystery Cash Prize, and Cursed Treasure symbols appear. 

Cash Prizes stick on landing; meter is used again. 

Once spins end, a final Cash Prize drop occurs based on the meter. 

Mystery symbols can reveal 50x to 5,000x prizes at the end. 

Mystery Cash Prizes 

Only appear during free spins. 

Reveal after spins end. 

Can yield massive payouts, up to 5,000x.

Feature BuyPlayers who want to skip the base game grind can access the bonus round using the feature buy, available for 100x the bet. This instantly activates the free spins bonus, where players begin with a clean 5×4 grid and three spins, entering the hold & win-style mode. 

Despite the relatively modest cost, the feature buy feels fair in context due to the potential of high-value mystery prizes and the stacking meter bonuses.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Cursed Treasure is designed for flexible bankrolls. Players can bet from €0.20 to €80 per spin, making it accessible for both casual players and moderate high-rollers. The maximum win of 5,064x isn’t astronomical, but it aligns well with the game’s low/medium volatility, which ensures steadier wins over longer sessions. 

The game offers multiple RTP configurations: 95.99%, 96.1%, or 96.1% with feature buy, depending on jurisdiction and operator setup. This is slightly below some modern slots but not dramatically so. 

Winning potential comes mostly through Cursed Treasure drop bonuses and Mystery Prize reveals, which—if fortunate—can result in surprisingly hefty totals for a mid-volatility slot.

Conclusion 

NetEnt’s Cursed Treasure isn’t a game designed to dominate the charts or redefine the slot genre. Instead, it’s a well-crafted, modestly ambitious slot that blends the studio’s experience in cinematic design with tried-and-tested hold ‘n win mechanics. It benefits from solid art direction, entertaining progression-based gameplay, and satisfying win potential through its Mystery Cash Prize feature. 

Though it doesn’t reinvent the wheel—and some may find the volatility and RTP less appealing than ultra-high-stakes titles—there’s a lot to appreciate. The Cursed Treasure meter adds excitement and momentum, encouraging players to chase collection milestones, while the free spins bonus delivers sticky symbol thrill without feeling overly grindy. 

The 5,064x max win is generous enough given the slot’s calm nature, and players looking for something in the style of 4ThePlayer’s “Fantastic” series or a simpler alternative to the Money Train lineage will likely enjoy the experience.