The archetypal mad scientists is a popular refrain in books, films and TV shows. There’s something appealing about the slightly eccentric genius, building impossible machines often in home laboratories. That’s clearly been the inspiration for the developers at Pragmatic Play for The Wild Machine, which channels these themes to create an intriguing slots proposition.
The game is set in a mad scientist’s lab, pictured to the right of the reels. By the looks of things he’s been busy, building the titular ’Wild Machine’ that forms the basis of the main reel action. The reels are packed with symbols from the lab, including potion bottles, books and the scientist’s backpack. They are also joined by suited symbols from a standard pack of cards, which occupy the lower paying positions on the paytable.
Each of the reels stands five positions high, so the game effectively takes place in a 5×5 square. This is slightly unusual, but it works for the in-game action. The reels also expand up to 7 reels at points, which we’ll touch on in more detail shortly. The aim of the game as always is to line up matching symbols on adjacent reel positions. Land three or more in adjacent positions on any of the game’s 40 paylines and you’ll be in line for a winning spin.
The amount you bet determines the amount you stand to win from spinning through this game. Betting starts at just £0.20 per spin, so it’s accessible at any budget. For those that want to play the game for its fullest prizes, spins range through to £30.00 per spin. The main jackpot clocks in at 175x, and with some quick multiplication, this adds up to a decent prize fund on the table at any one time.
In terms of RTP, or the return to player percentage, this varies from 94.51% to 96.52%. This is determined by how the reels fall for you on any given spin, with up to 7 reels in play on some spins. Either way, the RTP is always above or within the range of what we would consider high paying, with 95.00% the approximate benchmark for good value slots games.
The combination wins on the board are where the main opportunities in this game lie. But there’s also the chance to build your bankroll through the various added features and bonuses, triggered by the feature symbols.
Feature Symbols
The big golden WILD symbol does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s the wild symbol in this game, which stands in place of any symbols that would otherwise complete paying combinations. Whether that’s completing a three symbol combo, or extending an existing combination to an additional space, the wild is the most flexible, and arguably, the most helpful of the feature symbols on any given spin.
There’s also a scatter symbol, simply the word SCATTER in the same style as the wild symbol. You need to land at least three of these to trigger the main bonus feature. Note that the wild will not substitute for the scatters, so you need to find sufficient number of these in the first instance to get the result you’re looking for.
Bonuses & Jackpots
Three scatters on reels 2, 3 and 4 will trigger the main bonus feature. This kicks the game into a wheel of fortune round, where players get the chance to spin to determine their award. You only get one spin of the wheel, but there is the chance to pick up multiple prizes as it spins one way and then the other. The options on the table here are cash wins or free spins, both of which are applied immediately following your award.
In the free spins round, there are two different types of bonus you can win. Gold Foundry free spins awards 8 free spins instantly, with anywhere between two and five reels wild. The second, Diamond Forge Free Spins, awards five free spins, plus sticky wilds on the reels 1, 4 and 7, which hold in place for the duration of the round.
At any time during the game, the reels can switch from their 5×5 configuration to a 7 reel structure. This change in grid layout shifts the RTP, as well as making it easier to land longer combinations across your reel set – not an additional bonus as such, but a nice additional feature some players will find helpful.
Play The Wild Machine Slot Game
The Wild Machine is a slot that is markedly different from other similar games. Its unique shifting reel structure, coupled with the selection of bonus features built into the game, mean there’s never a shortage of entertainment. This is combined with significant prize-winning potential, making The Wild Machine the perfect combination for serious slots fans.
If you’re feeling wild, why not take The Wild Machine for a spin today.
