Scroll of Dead is Play’N Go’s newest title that joins the ‘of something’ slot category. I know this isn’t a type per se, but seeing the number of online slots that follow the example of Book of Ra, I think it’s fair to create a category for them. However, don’t think for a second that Scroll of Dead comes with no surprises. If you played Play’N Go’s slots before, you know it’s not in the nature of this developer to bring nothing new to the table.
Although the volatility stays high and the RTP features an expected value, the grid you play on changes in the free spins, offering an extra reel while the gameplay offers expanding symbols chosen at the beginning of the bonus round. I know you might think the provider played it safe this time, but my advice is to try out the slot. It might surprise you.
The Scroll of Dead slot borrows a little bit of this and a little bit of that from other slot titles like Book of Dead and Book of Ra, mixing them up and creating an enhanced experience to keep its distance from them. The scarab is the central attraction of this slot, hitting as both Scatter and Wild and unlocking the mysterious 6th reel.
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As much as I love this provider’s games, I must point out that design-wise, Scroll of Dead isn’t something I haven’t seen before. Featuring an Egyptian-inspired background, depicting the entrance in a temple, the slot comes with Egyptian symbols such as the scarab, a Goddess, a cobra and the Ankh cross. Curiously enough, the scroll isn’t part of the paytable but it appears in the game covering the locked reel. Don’t worry, you don’t have to read the hieroglyphs on it to unlock the 6th reel, as it activates in the free spins.
The gameplay in Scroll of Dead follows the footsteps of the other two games it resembles, with a 3×5 grid that turns into a 3×6 one during the free games, a high volatility, 10 paylines and a 96.28% RTP. Symbols include royals, which award up to 12,5x the bet for five on a payline, and characters that pay out up to 500x the bet for five in a combination. The payouts increase in the free spins with an extra reel that adds to the game potential. This way wins of up to 750x can be expected.
The scarab is the pharaoh of this videoslot, being both the Wild and the Scatter. So, it can form winning lines with all the other symbols while also triggering the free games for at least three on the screen. The scarab also awards 200x the bet for five on a payline, placing it amongst the highest paying symbols on the reels.
Now, the features in Scroll of Dead aren’t that diverse. In fact, there’re only two bonus rounds: the free spins with expanding symbols and the gamble option in the base game. I know it doesn’t sound like much but trust me, these two rounds do their job decently.
With at least three Scarab symbols on the grid, you can trigger eight free spins and unlock the additional reel. Before the free games start, two things happen. The first one is the unlocking of the 6th reel. The chain that’s been keeping it sealed lifts, allowing the symbols to land. The second thing is choosing the expanding symbol. The game randomly selects one pay symbol to expand and cover all the spots on the reel it lands on. Expanded symbols can take the form of any symbols, except the scarab, and pay all ways.
You can also play more free games with three, four, or five Scatters on the grid during the free spins.
I’m sure this option is pretty well-known to all slot players. However, for those of you who don’t have a clue about it, this is an option available only in the base game. When a payline is formed, the game gives you the chance to double or quadruples the win by guessing the right colour or suit of a hidden card.
Scroll of Dead is pretty hard to define as it stands out in the Egyptian slots range. On one hand, the game is different from Book of Dead due to its 6th reel and higher win potential of 7,500x. On the other hand, the additional reel brings it closer to Book of Ra Deluxe 6. However, the way the extra reel is activated differs from Novomatic’s hit.
All in all, Scroll of Dead breaks the pattern of the ‘Book of’ type of slots with its 6th reel combined with expanded symbols, gamble option and higher than average win potential twist. Although it’s not entirely new in the industry, Play’N Go’s title does hold an engaging gameplay to keep you entertained.
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