PopNoir (AvatarUX) Slot Review

PopNoir: Slot Overview 

Released on April 24, 2024, PopNoir is an atmospheric online slot by AvatarUX, transporting players to the shadowy streets of a film-noir world. Taking cues from 1920s–1940s cinema, the game blends smoky cityscapes, jazz, and mysterious characters with the studio’s beloved PopWins mechanic. While many AvatarUX releases have leaned on bright colors and whimsical themes, PopNoir stands apart, offering a darker, more stylishly cinematic experience. 

The game plays out across 5 reels with an expanding reel setup that can grow from 3 rows up to 8, unlocking a maximum of 32,768 ways to win. Featuring a high volatility profile, an RTP of 96.0%, and a hit frequency of 29.56%, PopNoir is designed to offer long, suspenseful stretches of play punctuated by moments of dramatic payout potential. The maximum win is capped at 20,000x the stake, enough to make players feel like they’ve cracked the ultimate noir case. 

With its fusion of thematic depth, expanding PopWins mechanics, and a wealth of bonus features, PopNoir sits comfortably in the AvatarUX portfolio as both a visual and mechanical evolution of the studio’s creative output.

Design and Graphics 

PopNoir distinguishes itself through its commitment to the noir genre, with a black-and-white palette accented by subtle splashes of color. Skyscrapers fade into the background while shadows loom large across the reels, immersing players in a moody Art Deco-inspired setting. The reel grid itself looks like it’s part of a city block, reinforcing the cinematic feel.Symbol design fits the noir theme seamlessly: 

Low-paying icons are traditional playing card ranks (10–A) in muted tones. 

Medium-paying icons include a liquor bottle and a pistol, quintessential noir props. 

High-paying icons are two stylish character symbols — the archetypal gumshoe and the femme fatale. 

The top-paying symbol is a golden falcon statue, clearly a nod to the Maltese Falcon, one of noir cinema’s greatest treasures. 

By eliminating a wild symbol and keeping the visuals sharp yet minimal, PopNoir emphasizes tension and atmosphere rather than overloading the reels with extraneous detail. Overall, the design manages to feel both nostalgic and modern, making it one of AvatarUX’s most visually unique slots to date.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At the heart of PopNoir is the PopWins mechanic, where winning symbols “pop” and are replaced by two new symbols, expanding the reels’ height with each consecutive win. This continues until no new wins are formed. 

In the base game, reels can expand up to 6 rows high, providing 7,776 ways to win. 

During free spins, reels can stretch up to 8 rows, unlocking the full 32,768 ways. 

Winning combinations require 3 or more matching symbols on consecutive reels, starting from either the leftmost or rightmost reel — effectively making PopNoir a two-directional pay slot. This doubles the chances of forming combinations compared to most standard slots. 

Key base game features include: 

Random multipliers: Reaching the maximum reel height in the base game awards 2 free spins and a random multiplier, raising the stakes for extended cascades. 

High volatility gameplay: Wins may not occur frequently, but when they do, the PopWins mechanic and multipliers ensure they can grow into sizeable payouts. 

This blend of cascading expansion and multiplier-driven suspense keeps every spin engaging, even during dry spells.

Sound and Music 

The sound design in PopNoir is one of its standout qualities. The game is accompanied by a slinky jazz backing track, perfectly evoking the atmosphere of smoky speakeasies and dark alleyways. Each spin and win is punctuated by subtle sound effects: the crack of a gun, the clink of a bottle, and the shimmer of jazz chords when the falcon statue lands in a combination. 

During free spins and bonus rounds, the music intensifies slightly, layering in more instruments to heighten the suspense. Rather than bombastic effects, AvatarUX opts for mood-driven audio here, reinforcing the noir theme without distracting from the gameplay. This attention to thematic immersion makes PopNoir one of the most aurally satisfying slots in the PopWins series.

Bonus Features 

AvatarUX has equipped PopNoir with a suite of engaging features that work together to elevate the base game.Free Spins 

Triggered by landing at least 3 scatter symbols, the free spins round enhances the game’s potential. Key highlights: 

Reels can expand up to 8 rows high. 

When reels reach maximum height, +2 free spins are awarded. 

Expanded reels reset to the shortest reel height between spins (rather than fully resetting), helping maintain momentum. 

Rewards Reel 

Before free spins begin, a Rewards Reel determines the starting conditions. Players can receive: 

Starting Free Spins: 5–11 

Starting Rows: 3–6 

Starting Multiplier: x1–x6 

Multiplier Growth: +1 to +5 per win 

The more scatters that trigger free spins, the more favorable the rewards become. 

Bonus Collection & Gilded Super High 

Scatter symbols collected during free spins contribute to super high symbol upgrades: 

Collecting 3 scatters upgrades the falcon statue into a gilded version, with an uncapped multiplier. 

Each upgrade increases the symbol’s payout potential by increments of x5 up to x50. 

The collection counter resets after each upgrade, encouraging players to chase multiple enhancements. 

Xpress Bonus Buy 

For those eager to skip straight to the action, PopNoir offers multiple buy-in options:Free Spins – 80x bet 

Free Spins Plus – 160x bet 

Free Spins Premium – 400x bet 

Free Spins Max – 800x bet 

The more expensive the option, the better the Rewards Reel outcomes, including higher multipliers and more free spins. 

These features collectively ensure that bonus rounds carry both excitement and depth, giving players plenty of ways to chase big wins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

PopNoir accommodates a wide range of bankrolls, with bets starting at €0.20 and capped at €100 per spin. The high volatility profile means long dry spells are possible, but the potential rewards make the risk worthwhile. 

The RTP of 96.0% is in line with industry standards, with a hit frequency of 29.56%, ensuring nearly one in three spins results in some form of payout. Free spins are harder to trigger naturally, with a frequency of 1 in 200 spins, which makes the bonus buy options particularly appealing for impatient players. 

Paytable highlights: 

Low pays (10–A royals): up to 0.6x the bet for five. 

Medium pays (bottle, gun): up to 1.5x the bet for five. 

High pays (male and female characters): up to 3x the bet for five. 

Super high (falcon statue): up to 10x the bet for five, with multipliers capable of dramatically boosting payouts. 

The crown jewel is the 20,000x max win, a figure that cements PopNoir as one of the more rewarding entries in AvatarUX’s catalog.

Conclusion 

PopNoir is a stylish, atmospheric addition to the AvatarUX lineup, proving that the PopWins mechanic can thrive in darker, more sophisticated settings. While some may argue that it doesn’t innovate as much as other PopWins titles, the noir theme, coupled with immersive sound design and compelling bonus features, makes it stand out as a distinctive experience. 

The combination of expanding reels, rewarding free spins, and the Gilded Super High symbol offers plenty of excitement for fans of volatile slots. Meanwhile, the inclusion of multiple bonus buy options ensures that high-risk, high-reward seekers can dive straight into the game’s most thrilling moments. 

With its cinematic visuals, atmospheric soundtrack, and 20,000x max win potential, PopNoir balances style and substance in equal measure. It might not reinvent the PopWins wheel, but it polishes it into a sharp, moody experience that will appeal to fans of both film noir and innovative slot mechanics.