Ways of Athena (Thunderkick) Slot Review

Ways of Athena: Slot Overview 

Developed by the mythologically-inclined studio Thunderkick, Ways of Athena is a 5×3 online slot released on December 11, 2024, that takes players on a sun-drenched journey into the poetic ruins of Ancient Greece. Known for titles like Midas Golden Touch, Midas Golden Touch 2, and the Beat the Beast series, Thunderkick taps into its strength in mythic storytelling and game mechanics with this release. This time, the team calls upon Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, as the thematic and functional centerpiece. 

The slot builds on a Matching Mystery Symbol mechanic and introduces an engaging progressive bonus game, high win potential of 25,000x, and volatile gameplay aimed at players seeking risk and reward. While the base game follows a traditional layout, the strategic choices offered through BET+ modes and Feature Buy options make Ways of Athena more than just a visual ode to antiquity—it’s a game with modern dynamism packed into a classical shell.

Design and Graphics 

Thunderkick’s love for artistry shines in Ways of Athena. The base game screen is set against a stunning Grecian landscape bathed in golden light, complete with rolling hills, ancient columns, and cloud-kissed skies. The reels are framed with an elegant stone border, and symbols are cleanly rendered, ranging from polished card royals (10-A) to harps, vases, helmets, shields, and Athena herself.The free spins environment transports players to a classical temple interior, with glowing torchlight and moody marble architecture, intensifying the stakes and atmosphere. Lightning crackles around the Matching Mystery Symbols, providing vibrant animation that enhances excitement. Overall, Thunderkick’s typical polish in UI and transitions is present—providing seamless immersion without overcomplicating the aesthetic.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The slot utilizes a 5-reel, 3-row matrix with an initial 243 ways to win. However, this number can expand dramatically thanks to the splitting symbols mechanic. When triggered, symbols can split into double instances—potentially creating up to 43,923 ways to win per spin. This mechanic gives Ways of Athena a sense of unpredictability and explosive payout potential. 

The Matching Mystery Symbol is the core innovation here. On any spin, mystery symbols may appear on reels 2 to 5. When they match a symbol on reel 1, they transform into double symbols, increasing the number of symbols per reel and amplifying win ways. This also plays a crucial role in the bonus game’s progression system. 

There’s also the BET+ system, which modifies base game spins with added costs but greater potential benefits. Whether using these or opting for the feature buy, players are provided strategic flexibility—tailoring their approach to suit their appetite for variance.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack in Ways of Athena is subtly orchestral, echoing the grandeur of its classical Greek setting. It carries a serene, almost meditative ambiance in the base game, adding drama through tense flourishes and drum rolls during mystery reveals or bonus triggers. Sound effects for wins and symbol reveals are sharp but not intrusive, supporting the gameplay without overwhelming it. 

In the free spins mode, the tone shifts with added intensity, syncing perfectly with the growing tension as players fill meters and chase retriggers. While not the most bombastic soundtrack in Thunderkick’s catalog, it’s thematically well-matched and atmospherically satisfying.

Bonus Features 

Matching Mystery Symbol 

This feature is both present in the base game and critical to bonus progression. Mystery symbols appear on reels 2 to 5, and if they match the leftmost reel symbol, they transform into double symbols, increasing the pay ways. Each mystery symbol effectively doubles the symbol space it occupies—this is where the game’s true potential is unlocked.Bonus Game 

Triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols, the bonus game begins with 8 free spins, with up to 44 free spins possible through retriggers. Crucially, scatter symbols in this mode are double scatter symbols, enhancing retrigger chances. 

A progression mechanic is introduced here: every time a Matching Mystery Symbol matches a symbol on the leftmost reel, Mystery Orbs fill a meter. This has two tiers of progression: 

First fill: increases the number of matching mystery symbols to 3. 

Second fill: boosts it to 5.
Every meter fill also awards +2 free spins, meaning spins can be prolonged significantly if matches occur consistently. 

BET+ 

Three ante bet options offer altered gameplay at different costs:

Bonus Boost (1.3x bet): Increases the chance of triggering the bonus. 

Bonus Boost Plus (2.2x bet): Further increases the bonus trigger probability. 

Flames of Athena (5x bet): Guarantees one or more mystery symbols on every spin. 

These give players control over volatility and bonus frequency, ideal for varied bankroll strategies. 

Feature BuyPlayers can bypass the base game entirely and buy direct access to the free spins bonus round for 100x the bet—perfect for those targeting high-risk, high-reward sessions.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Ways of Athena accommodates a wide range of players with its minimum bet of €0.10 and maximum bet of €100. It features a hit frequency of 23%, meaning wins occur roughly once every four spins—enough to maintain momentum without being overly generous. 

The game’s RTP sits at 94.21%, which is slightly below average and may be a downside for RTP-focused players. However, the high volatility compensates with rare but substantial win potential, culminating in a massive max win of 25,000x the bet. 

Symbol payouts range from 0.7x to 1x for 5-of-a-kind low symbols, and up to 5x for Athena or wilds. The expanding reel mechanic significantly enhances the actual value of these numbers, particularly when multiple double symbols align for mega wins.

Conclusion 

Ways of Athena is a rich and rewarding slot that blends classical mythology with modern mechanics. Thunderkick once again proves their prowess at marrying theme with function. The visuals are lush, the soundtrack immersive, and the mechanics—especially the Matching Mystery Symbol—offer something fresh in a crowded genre. 

The bonus game provides a thrilling progression chase, especially with the expanding mystery symbol mechanic and retrigger potential. Meanwhile, BET+ options and Feature Buy give players tailored access to the parts of the game they enjoy most. 

While the RTP is a little underwhelming, and the base game can feel modest without ante bets enabled, the slot delivers on its high volatility promise, offering tantalizing moments of big-win anticipation. Players who enjoy games like Midas Golden Touch or Sword of Arthur will feel right at home, but with enough uniqueness to make Ways of Athena a standout. 

For mythology lovers, high-risk thrill seekers, and Thunderkick loyalists alike, Ways of Athena is an exciting, polished entry worth a spin or two—or a thousand.