Scroll of Dead (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Scroll of Dead: Slot Overview 

The words “of Dead” in a slot title are almost always a clear indicator of what players are in for: high volatility, Egyptian mythology, expanding symbols, and the potential for massive wins. These “book-style” slots have become a subgenre in themselves, with Play’n GO’s legendary Book of Dead leading the charge for years. Now, Scroll of Dead enters the arena with a familiar formula — and a twist that shifts the dynamic more than you might expect. 

Released on May 20, 2021, Scroll of Dead embraces the core components of its predecessors but elevates the concept with a crucial tweak: the addition of a 6th reel, which becomes active during the bonus round. This change not only adds an extra layer of excitement but also significantly increases the win potential, bumping the maximum win up to 7,500x the stake. Set across 1 to 10 paylines, with a classic 3-row layout, this is a game that retains familiarity while cleverly innovating. 

With a default RTP of 96.28%, high volatility, and bets ranging from €0.01 to €100, Scroll of Dead caters to everyone — from budget-conscious adventurers to high-rolling treasure seekers.

Design and Graphics 

Scroll of Dead keeps things thematically tight, diving once again into the rich mystique of Ancient Egypt. The action takes place within a braziers-lit temple, glowing with mystical blue and red torchlight. Stone pillars and golden trim frame the reels, which themselves are divided with striped columns — a design choice that echoes Book of Dead‘s iconic layout. Symbol design is a blend of old and new: 

Low-paying symbols are the standard 10 to A card royals, rendered in Egyptian-inspired fonts. 

High-paying symbols include an ankh, birds, snakes, and a Cleopatra-style goddess, the highest value of all. 

The scarab takes the role of both wild and scatter, contributing to wins while also unlocking the bonus feature. 

Though Rich Wilde is notably absent, the absence makes room for more atmospheric focus. Cat Wilde, his daughter, may be Play’n GO’s new torchbearer, but here, the treasures take center stage.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The game starts on a familiar 5×3 grid with up to 10 selectable paylines. Wins are paid from left to right, and players can choose to activate anywhere from 1 to 10 paylines — a rare level of control in modern online slots. This opens up penny play options, but most players will opt for the full 10 lines to maximize their win opportunities. 

Where Scroll of Dead really changes the game is in the bonus round. When the free spins trigger, an extra sixth reel is unlocked. This expands the grid to 6×3, allowing for potential six-of-a-kind wins. This increases top symbol payouts drastically, which we’ll dive into below. 

Gameplay is smooth and snappy — nothing overcomplicated. It’s all about hitting the right scatters to enter the free spins and hoping your expanding symbol hits across all six reels.

Sound and Music 

Sound design is a cornerstone of Play’n GO’s Egyptian slots, and Scroll of Dead continues the tradition with a haunting and immersive soundtrack. Low melodic chants, echoing temple ambiance, and the distant rumble of ancient magic all add to the atmospheric tension. 

Wins are punctuated by classic, satisfying chimes, while the activation of the bonus round is met with a dramatic fanfare and the mystical unlocking of the sixth reel. The soundscape is subtle enough not to be intrusive but rises appropriately to match the gameplay’s pace. 

While not groundbreaking, the audio execution is slick and polished, complementing the visuals with a fitting tone of mystery and adventure.

Bonus Features 

Scarab Wild/Scatter 

The golden scarab symbol is the dual-function wild and scatter. It substitutes for all other symbols to complete winning lines. More importantly, it also triggers the Free Spins bonus when 3, 4, or 5 scarabs land anywhere on the reels, awarding: 8 free spins 

Plus a scatter payout of 2x, 20x, or 200x the bet 

Free Spins with Sixth Reel 

Once free spins begin, two things happen: 

The sixth reel becomes active, increasing the game grid and making six-of-a-kind wins possible. 

A special expanding symbol is randomly selected. This symbol expands to fill the entire reel whenever it appears and contributes to wins regardless of position — just like other “book” slots. 

Expanded symbols do not need to be adjacent and can award full-line wins from anywhere on the grid, making the potential for huge payouts very real — especially if the top-paying symbol is selected. 

Gamble Feature 

After any win in the base game, players have the option to activate the gamble feature. This presents a classic card-guessing game: 

Guess the color (red or black) to double your win. 

Guess the suit to quadruple it. 

You can gamble up to 5 times in a row, but one wrong guess loses the entire amount. It’s a classic high-risk, high-reward system that appeals to more daring players.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Scroll of Dead is highly flexible when it comes to betting. Stakes start at just €0.01 per spin and can go up to €100, depending on how many paylines you activate (1 to 10). Most serious players will stick to the 10-line setup for maximum hit potential. 

Symbol payouts are impressive: 

Low pays (10-A) return modest wins. 

Premium symbols, when landing 5 of a kind, award between 50x and 500x the stake. 

When the sixth reel is active during the bonus round, these same symbols can return 100x to 750x for six of a kind. 

The theoretical RTP is 96.28%, although some operators may use a lower setting (as low as 94.28%), so it’s always wise to check before you play. 

With high volatility and a max win of 7,500x the bet, this is a slot that can dry you out fast — but it also has the power to deliver massive wins, especially when those expanded symbols line up during the free spins round.

Conclusion 

Play’n GO’s Scroll of Dead successfully takes the beloved “Book of” format and adds just enough to refresh the formula. The addition of a 6th reel is deceptively simple, but its impact is significant — increasing symbol payouts and giving players an expanded shot at glory without overcomplicating the core gameplay. 

The slot looks fantastic, plays smoothly, and features enough volatility and potential to keep hardcore fans of the genre engaged. While not radically different from Book of Dead, the 7500x max win and the expanding symbol mechanic across six reels give it an edge in both excitement and possibility. 

If you’re already a fan of Egyptian-themed slots or Play’n GO’s expanding symbol adventures, Scroll of Dead is a no-brainer. It stays loyal to the genre’s roots while sprinkling in a welcome upgrade that boosts both the visuals and the volatility. This scroll might not hold secrets, but it certainly holds treasure — if luck’s on your side.