Axe of Fortune

Designed by Belatra Games, Axe of Fortune is inspired by the Vikings. Originally from Scandinavia, principally Denmark, Vikings were warriors and traders who travelled extensively across Europe, influencing the cultures of many nations from approximately 800 CE to 1050 CE. With a reputation as terrifying combatants and incredible seafarers, Vikings have made an indelible mark on European history.

Mechanically, this slot is played on a five-reel, three-row gameboard with ten active pay lines. The RTP for this game comes in at 95.94%, and the volatility rating is in the high end of the spectrum. Axe of Fortune is available to play on mobile, tablet and desktop platforms.

Axe of Fortune Overview

There are two main bonus features in Axe of Fortune. The first is the wild bonus. The wild icon in this game is represented by a raven. This raven can substitute for any other icon on the board apart from the scatter to help players find more wins. The next bonus feature concerns the axe scatter. If players manage to land three or more of these scatters on the board simultaneously, they will trigger the bonus game. Furthermore, the more scatters you land to trigger the bonus, the higher the payout threshold climbs within the bonus game. The bonus game sees players throwing axes at targets to divine what win you will take home after the bonus has played out. You will throw four axes in total, which will spell out the total win amount, which will be multiplied by the current bet for the final payout. All bonus features will be explained in more detail later in the review.

Axe of Fortune Theme and Symbols

The theme of Axe of Fortune, as briefly discussed in the overview, is inspired by the Vikings. In this game, players are transported to a rugged and majestic Nordic landscape to meet a tribe of noble yet savage Vikings. In this environment, you will come face-to-face with some of the key signifiers of Viking culture, including runes, icons of the world tree Yggdrasil, as well as arrows, spears and other tools of war.

Players will also meet some of the actual Vikings, their faces decorated with jagged blue patterns to intimidate their foes. Belatra has done a fine job of decorating this slot and constructing a consistent and enthralling theme. The background image for this game is a snowy Nordic Forest at night. The scene is one of a world blanketed in a thick layer of pristine snow, which reflects the soft glow of the moonlight.

The air is crisp and still, carrying the invigorating scent of pine. The Nordic Forest is dominated by majestic coniferous trees, their dark silhouettes standing in stark contrast against the snowy landscape. These ancient sentinels bear the weight of winter with grace, their branches gracefully bowing under the burden of snow. The playing board for this game is inspired by warfare, with the two vertical pillars fashioned into the shapes of swords.

The symbols are split into low-paying, high-paying and special symbols. The low-paying symbols are the four runes pained on stones. The more valuable icons are the mug of beer, a shield, a stone badge of the world tree, a male Viking, a female Viking and an elder Viking. The special icons in this game comprise the raven wild and the axe scatters.

Game Play

Axe of Fortune is played on a 5-reel, 3-row machine with 10 fixed pay lines. To win combinations, players must land three or more matching symbols on pay lines moving from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel. The betting range for Axe of Fortune is 10p to £25 per spin. To adjust their bet levels, players can toggle their stakes up and down using the tool located at the bottom left-hand side of the screen.

Further information, including a short tutorial and a display of the paytable, can be found via the menu button in the right-hand corner of the screen. The spin and auto spin buttons are located in the centre of the screen. Volatility for this slot is rated in the high range. The return to player percentage for Axe of Fortune is 95.94%, which is below average. The biggest payout that players can win on one spin is 9,999x the stake.

Axe of Fortune Features

The first bonus feature of Axe of Fortune revolves around the enigmatic raven, symbolizing wisdom and fortune. This elusive creature takes centre stage as the wild icon in the game. When the raven graces the reels, it serves as a wild symbol, showcasing its ability to substitute for any other icon on the board—except for the scatter. This adds an extra layer of anticipation to every spin, as the raven aids players in completing winning combinations by bridging the gaps between symbols.

The second bonus feature introduces the formidable axe scatter. Landing three or more of these scattered axes simultaneously on the reels triggers the highly anticipated bonus game, unlocking a realm of additional excitement and rewards. What's more, the payout threshold within the bonus game grows the more scatters you land to trigger the bonus. Landing 3-4 scatters will allow you to win up to 3,000x the stake, whereas landing five will give you the potential of winning up to 9,999x the stake.

As the bonus game unfolds, players find themselves immersed in a captivating scene where they get to throw four axes at targets. Each axe throw determines a portion of the total win amount, adding an interactive element to the game. The accumulated results from the axe throws are then multiplied by the current bet, culminating in a final payout that could be nothing short of extraordinary.

Conclusion

In the realm of online slot gaming, Axe of Fortune stands tall as a captivating journey into Norse mythology, delivering an exhilarating experience filled with rich visuals, strategic gameplay, and rewarding bonus features. However, it is important to note that the volatility rating for this game is high and that the RTP is lower than the industry average. As always, make sure you understand the exposure this game offers before placing any real money.