Sword of Arthur (Thunderkick) Slot Review

Sword of Arthur: Slot Overview 

Thunderkick draws Excalibur from the stone in their June 12, 2024 release, Sword of Arthur, delivering a medieval-themed slot that taps into the enduring legend of King Arthur. Fitting squarely into the “book-style” category, this game mixes classic slot mechanics with a few innovative twists to keep players on edge. Instead of simply mimicking the Book of Dead formula, Thunderkick introduces elements like escalating multipliers, flexible bonus buys, and strategic expanding symbols that give the game a unique rhythm. 

Built on a classic 5×3 grid with 10 paylines, Sword of Arthur is deceptively simple on the surface. However, beneath the regal aesthetics lies a high-volatility slot engine capable of delivering wins up to 10,000x the stake, with a base RTP of 94.34% (dropping to 87.15% in some scenarios). Like the legendary blade, it offers great power—but extracting that potential may require effort, patience, and a bit of luck.

Design and Graphics 

Thunderkick has a reputation for crafting visually rich slots, and Sword of Arthur is no exception. Set against a sun-drenched, cathedral-like backdrop with columns and stained glass, the game exudes a sense of Arthurian grandeur. The legendary sword planted in stone is prominently featured on the left, reinforcing the game’s mythic origins. Rich blues, golds, and royal reds dominate the color palette, making the game feel appropriately regal and steeped in tradition.The symbol design follows familiar medieval tropes: card ranks (10 to A) are stylized with a metallic finish, while mid-tier symbols include a shield, a knight’s helmet, and a crown. King Arthur himself is the premium symbol, radiating the authority and charisma you’d expect from Camelot’s ruler. The sword acts as both wild and scatter, and when it appears, it gleams with magical energy—a neat touch that enhances both theme and gameplay immersion.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Despite its familiar layout, Sword of Arthur incorporates enough variation to distinguish itself from typical “book” slots. The core setup includes 5 reels and 3 rows, with 10 fixed paylines paying left to right from the first reel. Symbol wins occur via traditional line matches, except for the sword symbol, which enables scatter pays and additional wild functionality. 

One notable stat is the 29.85% hit frequency, indicating that while wins aren’t constant, they are relatively frequent for a high-volatility game. Thunderkick seems to strike a balance between long dry spells and engaging win potential, though the real excitement comes during the bonus round, where expanding symbols and progressive multipliers add layers of depth. 

In the base game, sword symbols perform double duty: acting as wilds to substitute for all other symbols and as scatters to trigger the bonus game. This dual-purpose functionality enhances the game’s flow and creates more frequent chances for triggering the feature round.

Sound and Music 

The audio design complements the game’s visual style with an orchestral score that evokes grandeur and fantasy. The music swells during bigger wins and intensifies when special features are in play, enhancing the emotional highs and lows of the session. Symbol interactions are punctuated with crisp metallic clinks, harp-like strums, and spellcasting flourishes—an immersive blend that echoes the heroic theme. 

During the bonus round, the soundtrack shifts subtly to reflect the heightened stakes. The escalating multiplier is accompanied by a rising audio cue, keeping players alert and engaged with every expanding symbol trigger.

Bonus Features 

Free Spins with Expanding Symbol and Multiplier 

The bonus game is triggered by landing 3 or more sword symbols, awarding 3, 4, or 5 free spins, respectively. At the start of the round, a random regular symbol (excluding the sword) is chosen to become the expanding symbol for the duration of the bonus. 

Expanding symbols operate under the traditional book-style rules—if enough of them land on different reels, they expand to cover entire reels, awarding wins regardless of paylines. However, Sword of Arthur introduces two exciting enhancements:Progressive Multiplier: Starting at x1, the multiplier increases by one level after each expanding win. 

Power Reset: After a win with an expanding symbol, the number of free spins resets to its original value, adding longevity and potential to the bonus. 

This setup can lead to thrilling win sequences, especially when low-value expanding symbols keep resetting the spin count and stacking multipliers. On the flip side, starting with just three spins adds tension, as the bonus round can end quickly without the right symbols. 

Bonus Buy Options 

Players who prefer to bypass the base game grind can access the Bonus Buy feature, which comes in three flavors:Standard Bonus – 3+ sword symbols for 125x the bet (RTP: 94.45%) 

5 Free Spins Guarantee – Buy with 5 guaranteed free spins for 200x (RTP: 94.47%) 

High Pay Expanding Symbol – Guarantees the Arthur symbol as the expander for 500x the bet (RTP: 94.5%) 

This tiered system gives players flexibility, depending on bankroll and risk appetite. The highest tier offers substantial potential but demands a steep entry price.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Sword of Arthur supports a broad stake range, from a minimum of €0.10 to a maximum of €100 per spin. This accommodates both casual players and high rollers looking to wield the blade for maximum profit. Payout potential is capped at 10,000x the stake, a generous figure in line with modern slot standards for high-volatility titles. 

The symbol hierarchy is straightforward: 

10 to A: Low-paying symbols. 

Mid-pay: Shield, helmet, and crown. 

High-pay: King Arthur (the top symbol). 

Sword: Wild and scatter. 

Despite its limited 10 paylines, the expanding symbol mechanic allows for huge win potential, especially when coupled with bonus multipliers. However, as with most high-volatility games, these opportunities are rare and rely heavily on feature triggers or Bonus Buys.

Conclusion 

Sword of Arthur is Thunderkick’s sophisticated take on the time-tested “book slot” formula. With its crisp visuals, immersive soundtrack, and rewarding bonus round mechanics, the game offers a familiar foundation layered with meaningful upgrades. The inclusion of progressive multipliers and spin resets injects real momentum into the bonus game, creating one of the more engaging free spins experiences in the genre. 

That said, this is not a slot for the faint-hearted. Its high volatility, limited base game payouts, and three-spin bonus floor make for an experience that can be punishing without the right luck or bankroll. The 94.34% RTP—while fair for today’s standards—isn’t especially generous, especially when dropping to 87.15% in some scenarios. 

Still, for fans of “book slots” who crave more interaction and tension in their free spins rounds, Sword of Arthur is a worthy contender. It’s ambitious, risky, and rewarding—very much like drawing Excalibur itself.