Fortune of Giza (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Fortune of Giza: Slot Overview

Fortune of Giza by Pragmatic Play takes players on a journey to ancient Egypt with its striking pyramids and iconic symbols. Released on January 4, 2022, this slot borrows heavily from Pragmatic Play’s classic title The Dog House, offering sticky wild multipliers during the free spins round. With a high volatility math model and a 5×3 reel setup, Fortune of Giza features 20 fixed paylines and an RTP of 95.51%. The maximum win potential of 5,000x the bet adds a decent allure to this visually engaging slot, although its core mechanics are nothing new. The Egyptian theme, paired with intricate hieroglyphics and divine symbols, aims to immerse players in a realm of treasures and mysteries. 

Design and Graphics

The design of Fortune of Giza is quintessentially Egyptian, with rich, golden tones that echo the opulence of the ancient civilization. The background displays a vivid desert landscape with glowing pyramids under drifting clouds, lending a cinematic touch. Symbols on the reels include traditional playing card icons (10 to A) alongside higher-value symbols like ankhs, scarabs, and gods Anubis and Bastet. The Wild symbol takes the form of a golden Horus falcon and is the centerpiece of the game’s mechanics. While visually appealing, the graphics are not groundbreaking. The game seems to lean heavily on generic Egyptian slot tropes. Although the visuals are polished, they lack originality compared to more innovative slots in the same genre. 

Gameplay Mechanics

Fortune of Giza plays on a 5×3 grid with 20 paylines. To secure a win, players must land 3 to 5 matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The low-value symbols, represented by playing cards, award payouts ranging from 1.25x to 2.5x the bet for a five-of-a-kind combination. The high-value symbols, including Egyptian-themed items, can pay up to 37.5x the bet. 

The game utilizes the classic “sticky wild” feature, enhancing winning opportunities during the free spins round. In the base game, wilds substitute for all symbols except the scatter, providing a standard slot experience. The lack of innovative gameplay mechanics in the base game means the slot relies heavily on its bonus features for excitement. 

Sound and Music

The soundtrack of Fortune of Giza complements the game’s theme, with mysterious, flute-heavy music interwoven with the sounds of a bustling ancient city. While the music sets an appropriate tone, it lacks variety and can become repetitive during extended play sessions. Sound effects, such as spinning reels and winning combinations, are crisp and fitting, though they don’t add much to the immersion. 

Bonus Features

The highlight of Fortune of Giza lies in its free spins feature, where sticky wilds come into play. 

Free Spins: The scatter symbol, represented by a golden pharaoh, appears on reels 1, 3, and 5. Landing three scatters triggers the free spins bonus round, awarding 5x the bet and activating a unique 3×3 grid to determine the number of free spins. This grid can award anywhere between 9 and 27 free spins. 

During free spins, sticky wild multipliers (x2 or x3) appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. These wilds remain in place for the duration of the feature, boosting the value of winning combinations. If multiple multipliers land in the same win line, their values are added together. 

Sticky Wilds: Wild symbols appearing during the bonus round become sticky, significantly enhancing the potential for large payouts. These wilds can be the key to unlocking the game’s maximum win of 5,000x the bet. 

While the bonus features are engaging, they are nearly identical to those in The Dog House, which might disappoint players looking for fresh mechanics. 

Betting Options and Payouts

Fortune of Giza accommodates a broad range of players with its flexible betting options. The minimum bet starts at €0.20, while high rollers can wager up to €100 per spin. The slot’s RTP of 95.51% is slightly below average but acceptable for a high-volatility game. 

Paytable Highlights: 

Wild Symbol: The wilds play a crucial role in the free spins round. Landing multiple wilds with multipliers can create significant payouts. 

Scatter Symbol: Three scatter symbols trigger the free spins round, offering players the chance to boost their winnings through sticky wilds. 

The maximum win of 5,000x the bet is attractive, but it may feel limited when compared to other Egyptian-themed slots that offer higher win caps. 

Conclusion

Fortune of Giza is a visually appealing slot with a classic Egyptian theme, but it doesn’t stray far from the beaten path. Its resemblance to The Dog House makes it feel like a reskin rather than an entirely new offering. The sticky wild multipliers in the free spins round add excitement, but they’re not innovative enough to set the game apart in a saturated market. 

For fans of high-volatility slots with straightforward mechanics, Fortune of Giza delivers an enjoyable experience. However, seasoned players seeking groundbreaking features or unique gameplay may find it lacking. While the game successfully captures the mystique of ancient Egypt, it ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impression.