Sails of Fortune (Relax Gaming) Slot Review

Sails of Fortune: Slot Overview 

Sails of Fortune, developed by Relax Gaming, takes players on a swashbuckling high-seas adventure packed with treasure maps, mystery symbols, and pirate-themed excitement. Released on May 19, 2021, the game sets itself apart in a crowded category with a unique focus on Mystery Map Respins and a cleverly structured Treasure Hunt Free Spins feature. 

Sails of Fortune operates on a 5×3 reel layout with an expanding payline system that ranges from 243 to 7,776 ways to win. With a maximum win potential of 25,000x, an RTP of 96.17% in the base game (and 96.65% when the feature buy is used), and a high volatility rating (5/5), this slot is built for players willing to ride the waves of variance in search of buried loot.

Design and Graphics 

From a visual standpoint, Sails of Fortune is strikingly clean—perhaps too clean for some. The base game takes place aboard a pristine wooden pirate ship under sunny skies, creating a somewhat sanitized feel that stands in contrast to the usual grit and chaos of pirate-themed slots. While the quality of the artwork is high, some may find the lack of visual drama in the base game a little underwhelming.Symbols appear on wooden planks and include low-value card suits (hearts, clubs, spades, diamonds), as well as higher-value thematic items like fish bones, message bottles, harpoons, lady pirates, and a gentleman pirate. The animation is subtle, keeping the interface clean and user-friendly, while occasional movements on the ship’s deck provide some life to the static setting. 

Things take a more atmospheric turn during the free spins, where the ship transforms into a nighttime scene with a mysterious Monkey Island-style vibe. The darker, more immersive tone helps elevate the visual experience just when the gameplay starts to peak.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Sails of Fortune uses a 243 ways to win format in the base game, meaning that wins are awarded for any left-to-right combinations starting from the first reel. At least two captain symbols or three of any other symbol are required to form a win. 

Interestingly, there are no traditional wilds in this game. Instead, the action revolves around Mystery Symbols, which drive both the base game and bonus features. These symbols don’t act as substitutes, but rather transform into matching symbols to help create winning lines. 

The game’s engine includes a unique walking reels mechanic. During Mystery Map Respins, mystery symbols shift leftwards with each respin, remaining on the reels until they fall off. This feature can trigger at any time in the base game, providing mini-bursts of excitement even outside of the bonus rounds.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Sails of Fortune is refreshingly upbeat. A jaunty Caribbean-style tune reminiscent of a tourist cruise in Jamaica plays during the base game, creating a light-hearted tone. It’s a departure from the typical heavy, cannon-fire-laden audio of most pirate slots and adds to the clean, almost humorous feel of the game. 

However, when free spins are activated, the music shifts dramatically. The upbeat melody gives way to a darker, more mysterious tune that complements the eerie nighttime setting and ups the tension. This audio evolution mirrors the game’s volatility, enhancing the overall immersion and providing a satisfying reward for those who trigger the bonus feature.

Bonus Features 

Mystery Map RespinsThese can occur at any point in the base game. When one or more mystery symbols (represented as question marks) land on the reels, they trigger respins. During each respin, the mystery symbols move one reel to the left and convert into the same matching symbol until they fall off the grid. As long as mystery symbols remain, respins continue. 

While this feature is often low-yield in its basic form, it does provide intermittent engagement between spins and the potential for decent line hits if enough symbols align. 

Treasure Hunt Free Spins 

Triggered by landing three or more skeleton key scatters, this is the slot’s main event. The player is awarded eight free spins, with an additional spin for each extra key beyond the third. The feature drastically transforms gameplay with several key changes: 

Mystery Symbols expand: When they land, they fill the entire reel they appear on. 

Treasure Chest Coins: These coins, found on reel 5, upgrade mystery symbols by adding an extra position, allowing for expansion up to 6 symbols high. 

When fully expanded and present on all reels, players unlock 7,776 ways to win. 

For every upgrade, +1 free spin is awarded, adding longevity and potential to the feature. 

This free spins round is where the game’s 25,000x max win potential truly comes into play. Landing multiple fully expanded mystery stacks in sync with high-value symbols—especially the pirate captain—can result in massive rewards. 

Feature BuyFor players who don’t want to wait, Relax Gaming includes a feature buy option costing 70x the bet. This takes players directly to the Treasure Hunt Free Spins and increases the RTP to 96.65%. It’s a tempting shortcut, especially given how transformative the free spins mode can be compared to the more muted base game.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Sails of Fortune caters to a wide betting audience with a minimum stake of €0.10 and a maximum bet of €30.00 per spin. This ensures accessibility for casual players while still offering ample room for high-rollers seeking big wins. 

The paytable includes: 

Low-paying symbols: Four card suits, worth less but appearing more frequently. 

High-paying symbols: Fish bones, bottles, harpoons, and pirates, paying 1.5x to 8x the stake for five-of-a-kind combinations. 

While the base game payouts can feel underwhelming due to the lack of wilds and the 1×1 mystery symbols, the potential expands dramatically in the bonus round. When 5 reels show fully expanded mystery stacks lined up correctly, the 25,000x win cap is within reach—though, realistically, this outcome is extremely rare.

Conclusion 

Sails of Fortune is a polished, creative, and feature-driven slot from Relax Gaming that blends classic pirate theming with modern game mechanics. The clean aesthetic and upbeat soundtrack give the base game a relaxing feel, though this same sense of polish may also be its biggest drawback—some players might find the visuals and gameplay in the base game a bit too subdued. 

The true strength of the slot lies in its Treasure Hunt Free Spins, where the tension ramps up and the big wins become possible. The expanding Mystery Symbol mechanic, in particular, creates moments of real anticipation and excitement, especially as more reels expand and spins are added. 

Despite a somewhat repetitive base game experience, Sails of Fortune shines when it matters most. Its unique walking mystery respins, the potential for 7,776 win ways, and the 25,000x jackpot ceiling all combine to make it a thrilling ride for players who don’t mind waiting for the storm to hit. With a solid RTP, well-designed mechanics, and a satisfying feature buy option, it’s a worthy addition to the Relax Gaming portfolio.