Codex of Fortune

Overview Codex of Fortune

NetEnt is back with a new online slot that could see you unlock great treasures if only you can find the right key. Codex of Fortune is structured around the idea of a mysterious gold cylinder which is a little like an enigma machine in that it uses a unique code that is difficult to crack. This game is the sequel to NetEnt’s Turn Your Fortune game with a similar interface. If the prequel is anything to go by, this new game should be of high quality and very entertaining. The theme is one of Nouveau Art, something that you rarely see in the online slot world.

Regarding this game’s features, there are 4 in total. The first is the Fortune Wins feature, which is at play during both the re-spins and free spins. By collecting special key symbols in these rounds, players will move up 7 levels, each one of which comprises 5 steps. The payouts increase as you move up the levels. Next is the re-spin feature, which gives you one re-spin with a reduced variety of symbols on the reels. The save the keys feature allows you to either use keys that you collect throughout the game to claim prizes or use them later in the free spin rounds. Finally, there is an excellent free spin round which we will explain in more detail later.

Theme and Symbols

The theme of Codex of Fortune is one based on the alluring and classic Art Nouveau style. Although we may associate this art style primarily with French artists and designers, it was developed and acclaimed across Europe, including Germany, Italy, and even England. Popular between 1890 and 1910, the style is one of dynamism and asymmetry, often inspired by natural forms. You can see this style from the lettering used for the symbols to the decorations applied to the playing board as well as the ornate and elaborate keys that players collect throughout the game.

The background for Codex of Fortune is a deep blue patterned wallpaper that brings to mind the work of Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen or Gustav Klimt. The numerous but simple shapes that overlap and coalesce are classic features of the Art Nouveau style. However, NetEnt were intelligent in picking a darker and less ostentatious background. This means that the board and its brightly coloured symbols contrast excellently against the dark blue hues of their surroundings.

The playing board looks like an opulent and carefully sculpted mirror from the same period, continuing the gold theme used for the delicate detailing used on the frame. Inside the playing window, the designers have chosen to do away with the pattern and instead use a plain dark blue colour to make sure the symbols stand out clearly.

When it comes to the symbols you will find here; they are split between low-value, high-value and special symbols. The low-value symbols for this game are the A to J in card royals. Up from these are the more lucrative symbols; these are mostly comprised of animal-inspired symbols. These include the snail, the turtle, the lion, the owl and the fish, all of which have been designed to look like Nouveau Art ornaments. The most valuable of these is the red lion symbol, which pays 5x your stake for 5 on a pay line. Joining these symbols is the intricately decorated key, this is the wild symbol. Finally, the peacock broach is this game’s bonus scatter symbol.

Game Play

Codex of Fortune is played on a 5-reel, 4-row board with 40 fixed pay lines. To achieve wins on this slot, players must match a minimum of 3 of a kind on the pay line. Each combination made must start on reel 1. The betting range for Codex of Fortune is 20p and £100 per spin.

Players can toggle their stake up and down using the coin value adjuster tool underneath the reels. Information about the slot, including the paytable and the auto spins options, can be found via the information button to the left-hand side of the reels.

The volatility rating for Codex of Fortune is rated in the high end of the spectrum. The return to player percentage for Codex of Fortune is 96%, which is strictly average. The biggest payout that players can win on one spin is 10,000 x your total stake.

Features

As we mentioned in the introduction, there are 4 bonus features active in this exciting new slot.
The first feature is the Codex of Fortune Wins feature, which is essentially a cash reward feature. This bonus is activated when players enter either the re-spin or free spin round. The idea is that players collect special symbols when within these rounds to collect prizes. The special symbols are keys. As you collect these symbols, you will rise through the 7 levels, with each level having higher and higher prices. At level 7, players can earn that remarkable top payout of 10,000x your total stake.

Next on the feature list is the re-spin feature. This bonus is activated when players land 2 scatter symbols simultaneously as a standard winning combo. When this occurs, the normal symbol part of the triggering win will change into a collection symbol. After which, you will be granted one re-spin. On the re-spin, only blanks, the collect symbol and key symbols are available to land.

If you land a collect symbol in the re-spin, it is added to the meter to the left-hand side of the board, and you are granted yet another re-spin. Landing a key, on the other hand will unlock the next level of the wins feature. Re-spins continue until no key or collect symbols land. After the feature ends, the game will ask you if you want to save the keys for another feature.
The save the keys feature gives you the choice of either unlocking cash prizes immediately, or you can choose to reset the meter to level one but you are allowed to save the keys from the previous run and use them in the features. You can use up to 3 collected keys to advance to higher levels.

Lastly, we have the free spins feature triggered when players land 3 of the scatter symbols on the reels on the same spin. Following the activation of the feature, a mini wheel with 3 parts spins. This wheel determines the number of spins granted, the collect symbol for this round and how many extra keys you are awarded. You then play the game out as the wheel dictated.

Conclusion

There is something both novel and fun about playing an Art Nouveau game; however, it is not just the theme that keeps you engrossed. The features are superb, especially considering the Fortune Wins extra, that gives you the chance of winning multiple instant cash prizes. The only thing that players should be a little wary of is the very high variance, as things might take a while to get going feature-wise if you are unlucky.