Pirots X (ELK Studios) Slot Review

Pirots X: Slot Overview

Pirots X, set for release on October 24, 2024, is the latest installment in the Pirots series by ELK Studios, which started with the original Pirots, followed by Pirots 2 and Pirots 3. This popular series has been characterized by its quirky parrot characters, pirate theme, and engaging cluster-based gameplay. Pirots X retains the playful spirit of its predecessors but ups the ante with enhanced mechanics, bigger win potential, and exciting new features.

Unlike traditional pirate slots, Pirots X takes a lighthearted approach, featuring parrots as the central characters embarking on a treasure hunt across tropical islands. With a 5×5 grid, cluster pays mechanic, and the chance to expand the grid to a 7×7 layout, the game offers dynamic gameplay where clusters trigger cascading wins. Pirots X boasts high volatility, an RTP of 94%, and a maximum win of 10,000x your stake, making it ideal for players seeking risk and reward.

Design and Graphics

Visually, Pirots X stays true to the colorful, animated style of the Pirots series, with a vibrant, pirate-themed setting that immerses players in a tropical paradise. The game’s background depicts a secluded pirate hideout, complete with palm trees, treasure chests, and a river that snakes its way toward the ocean. The reels are transparent, allowing players to enjoy the scenic backdrop while focusing on the action unfolding on the grid.

The symbols are consistent with the game’s lighthearted pirate theme, with low-paying gems and the high-paying parrot characters—each in a different color (blue, green, purple, and red). These parrots, who also appeared in the previous installments, remain the core of the game’s narrative. Their distinct personalities shine through the animations, adding charm to the game’s overall atmosphere.

In terms of design evolution, Pirots X builds on the aesthetics of Pirots 2 and Pirots 3, offering enhanced animations and smoother transitions. The game’s vibrant color palette and intricate detailing ensure that it captures the playful, adventurous feel that fans of the series have come to love.

Gameplay Mechanics

The Pirots X slot uses the familiar cluster pays system, a hallmark of the Pirots series. Wins are formed when 5 or more matching symbols are connected either vertically or horizontally. Once a cluster forms, the cascading mechanic kicks in, removing the winning symbols and allowing new ones to drop down. This can lead to chain reactions where more clusters form, generating additional wins.

A unique twist in Pirots X is the ability to expand the grid. The game starts with a 5×5 grid but can grow to a maximum size of 7×7 during certain features, allowing more symbols to appear and increasing the chances for large clusters. This dynamic grid expansion is a notable improvement over the previous installments, adding more excitement to the gameplay.

Additionally, the wild symbol plays a crucial role in forming clusters. After every win, a wild is placed on the grid, increasing the chances of more clusters forming. These wilds substitute for all regular symbols, helping to keep the cascades going and building the potential for significant wins.

Sound and Music

The soundtrack of Pirots X fits seamlessly with its tropical, pirate adventure theme. The background music is lively and adventurous, with a playful melody featuring flutes, drums, and other instruments typically associated with pirate lore. The music picks up in intensity when big wins or features are triggered, heightening the excitement of the game.

In terms of sound effects, each spin is accompanied by satisfying clinks and chimes, and when the parrots collect gems or the Big Drop feature is triggered, the game erupts with celebratory sound effects. The combination of sound and visuals helps keep players engaged, creating an immersive experience that enhances the playful pirate setting.

Bonus Features

One of the standout aspects of Pirots X is its variety of bonus features, which include Pirots, Bomb features, and Big Drops, all designed to maximize win potential.

The Pirots and Symbol Collection

At the top of the grid sit the four parrot characters. When a nest symbol appears, one of the parrots flies down to collect matching symbols on the reels. This collecting mechanism not only removes symbols from the grid but also boosts the global multiplier, which applies to all subsequent wins. The more symbols a parrot collects, the higher the multiplier becomes, leading to bigger rewards.

Bomb Feature

The Bomb feature is triggered randomly during the game. When a bomb lands on the reels, it explodes, clearing away a section of the grid and allowing new symbols to cascade down. This can create fresh opportunities for clusters to form and potentially trigger more wins. The Bomb feature also helps expand the grid up to 7×7, adding more symbols and increasing the chances for significant payouts.

Big Drop Feature

In the Big Drop feature, a giant symbol (ranging from 2×2 to 4×4) falls onto the grid, crushing smaller symbols beneath it. This large symbol acts as multiple matching symbols, significantly increasing the likelihood of forming a winning cluster. The Big Drop is an exciting moment in the game, particularly when it lands alongside wilds or during the bonus round, leading to massive payouts.

Bonus Game and Super Bonus Game

The Bonus Game in Pirots X is triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols on the reels. During the bonus round, the global multiplier becomes persistent, meaning it doesn’t reset after each spin. Additionally, the grid remains fully expanded, allowing for more symbols and bigger cluster formations. Players also benefit from free spins and more frequent triggers of the game’s other features.

The Super Bonus Game takes this a step further. Activated when a super scatter lands alongside regular scatters, this mode offers guaranteed triggers of the game’s best features, such as the Big Drop and Bomb feature, along with a higher starting multiplier. The Super Bonus Game is the key to unlocking the biggest wins in Pirots X.

X-iter Feature Buy

For players who prefer instant access to bonus rounds, Pirots X offers the X-iter Feature Buy option. This allows players to purchase entry into the various bonus modes at different price points, making it possible to skip the base game and dive straight into the action.

Betting Options and Payouts

Pirots X offers a flexible betting range that accommodates a wide variety of players, from casual gamers to high rollers. The minimum bet is €0.20 per spin, while the maximum bet can go up to €100, making the game accessible for all types of players.

The RTP of 94% is slightly below the industry average, but the game compensates for this with a high volatility and a maximum win potential of 10,000x your stake. With such high volatility, players can expect fewer frequent wins, but the potential for massive payouts is ever-present, particularly during the bonus rounds.

Conclusion

Pirots X by ELK Studios builds on the success of its predecessors, offering players a visually stunning, engaging slot experience filled with exciting features and massive win potential. The game’s combination of cluster pays, cascading symbols, and dynamic grid expansion keeps the action fresh and unpredictable, while the variety of bonus features ensures that there’s always something new to look forward to.

Fans of the Pirots series will appreciate the improvements in Pirots X, from the enhanced graphics to the addition of more intricate features like the Big Drop and Bomb feature. With a 10,000x max win and plenty of opportunities to trigger exciting bonuses, Pirots X is a decent addition to the series.