Rise of Pyramids (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Ryse of Pyramids: Slot Overview 

Pragmatic Play has once again ventured into the mysterious world of ancient Egypt with Rise of Pyramids, a slot that takes players on a futuristic journey. While the theme may sound familiar, the game’s execution sets it apart with a dynamic honeycomb layout and a cluster-pay system, diverging from conventional paylines. The game’s premise seamlessly merges ancient Egyptian aesthetics with futuristic technology, creating a hybrid atmosphere that feels like a cross between Stargate and sci-fi. 

Rise of Pyramids stands out not only for its visuals but also for its unique gameplay structure. The slot offers a 7-reel honeycomb grid with symbols arranged in a 3-4-5-6-5-4-3 formation. Cluster-pays replace traditional paylines, adding an innovative touch to the gameplay. With a medium volatility rating and a default RTP of 95.97%, the slot promises a balanced gaming experience suitable for a wide range of players. While the max win of 5,000x the bet may not seem groundbreaking, the unconventional grid and cascading mechanics make the journey exciting. 

Let’s dive into the details to understand how Rise of Pyramids combines visual appeal and inventive gameplay to deliver a standout slot experience.

Design and Graphics 

Rise of Pyramids opens to a striking visual display that fuses futuristic elements with the mystique of ancient Egypt. The pyramids themselves are no longer tombs of the past but structures illuminated with glowing lights and adorned with high-tech motifs. The game’s dominant blue and gold color palette creates a sleek and otherworldly aesthetic, underscored by the towering presence of a futuristic Egyptian queen on the right-hand side of the screen. The honeycomb grid is a visual highlight, adding layers of complexity to the game’s appearance. Each cell is meticulously designed, ensuring that the symbols pop against the vibrant backdrop. Symbols include hieroglyphic-styled low pays in bright colors (purple, green, and red) and high-paying icons representing powerful Egyptian characters. The wild symbol, which substitutes for all regular pay symbols, is represented as a glowing block that adds even more to the sci-fi aesthetic. 

Pragmatic Play has succeeded in balancing tradition with innovation, creating a visually captivating slot that feels fresh and engaging.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Rise of Pyramids trades in the usual reel-and-payline setup for a cluster-pay system. This requires players to form clusters of at least eight matching symbols to achieve wins. The tumbling mechanic adds an extra layer of excitement—winning symbols explode off the grid, making way for new ones to drop down, potentially leading to consecutive wins in a single spin. 

Here’s how the core gameplay works: 

Cluster Wins: Players need at least eight matching symbols in a cluster to trigger a payout. The larger the cluster, the higher the reward. 

Tumbles: After a cluster forms, symbols in the winning combination vanish, and new symbols tumble down to replace them. This cycle repeats until no new winning clusters are formed. 

Exploding Wilds: The wild symbols not only substitute for other symbols but also detonate surrounding symbols (except those in winning clusters), creating more opportunities for cascading wins. 

The grid’s unconventional layout and these mechanics create an energetic gameplay loop, keeping players engaged while offering chances for back-to-back payouts. 

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Rise of Pyramids complements its futuristic theme with a mix of traditional Egyptian melodies and modern electronic beats. The haunting strings and rhythmic drum beats transport players to an alternate reality where ancient myths meet technological marvels. During spins, the audio intensifies, adding a sense of anticipation, and celebratory chimes accompany winning clusters and cascading tumbles. 

Sound effects are subtle but effective, blending seamlessly with the background music. The overall audio design enhances the immersive experience without overwhelming the gameplay.

Bonus Features 

Rise of Pyramids offers a variety of features that elevate the gameplay beyond its core mechanics: Respins: 

Landing four or more money symbols triggers the respin feature. 

When activated, the triggering symbols remain on the grid while other positions respin for a chance to land more money symbols. 

The respins continue until no new money symbols appear, or the grid fills completely. 

Values range from 0.5x to 1,000x the bet, creating opportunities for significant payouts. 

Free Spins: 

The free spins round is triggered by landing four scatter symbols. Players are awarded 10 free spins, with each additional scatter adding two extra spins. 

During the round, a progressive multiplier is active, starting at 1x and increasing by +1 after each tumble. This multiplier applies to all wins, making the feature highly rewarding. 

The potential for extended free spins and rising multipliers keeps the excitement level high throughout the feature. 

Buy Feature: For players who prefer immediate action, the free spins feature can be purchased for 80x the total bet. This provides a shortcut to the game’s most lucrative bonus round, with an RTP of 95.96%. 

The combination of respins, tumbling mechanics, and progressive multipliers ensures there’s never a dull moment in Rise of Pyramids.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Rise of Pyramids offers a flexible betting range, accommodating both casual players and high rollers. The minimum bet is set at €0.20, while the maximum bet goes up to €250. The game’s medium volatility strikes a balance between frequent small wins and occasional big payouts. 

The RTP values vary slightly depending on the mode of play: 

• 95.97% during standard gameplay. 

• 95.96% when using the Buy Feature. 

• 95% or 94% in certain market-specific configurations. 

The maximum win of 5,000x the bet is modest compared to other Pragmatic Play slots but remains appealing, especially given the frequent opportunities for cascading wins and multipliers.

Conclusion 

Rise of Pyramids takes players on an imaginative journey into a futuristic take on ancient Egypt, combining a unique honeycomb grid with cluster-pays and dynamic tumbling mechanics. The game’s visuals and theme stand out as some of its strongest elements, offering a fresh perspective on a well-worn genre. 

While the max win of 5,000x may not break records, the engaging gameplay mechanics, frequent respins, and free spins with progressive multipliers ensure that players remain entertained. The medium volatility makes Rise of Pyramids accessible to a wide range of players, while the Buy Feature allows high-stakes gamblers to jump straight into the action. 

If you’re looking for a slot that blends innovation with tradition and delivers a visually captivating experience, Rise of Pyramids is well worth a spin. Pragmatic Play has once again demonstrated its ability to innovate while staying true to the core elements that make online slots so enjoyable.