ELK Studios sets sail with gulls overhead and mermaids below: Fish and Bird Description

Fish And Bird welcomes you to a windswept patch of ocean where a lone fisherman rows beneath circling seabirds and a distant lighthouse keeps watch. The scene splits the world in two: above the waterline a boat glides past bobbing buoys, while below a compact grid churns with jellyfish and fish of all sizes. The mood is charmingly weathered, like a sea postcard left out in the sun, and it frames a collector-style experience that’s equal parts whimsical and finely tuned. This is a Video Slot by ELK Studios with a distinctive compact layout and a focus on collection mechanics rather than traditional line counting. The 4x4 layout and 256 ways to win make every spin dense with possibility, and the game’s personality springs from how elements above and below the surface interact. The fisherman acts as a Collector on a separate bar, seagulls swoop in with Multipliers, and a mermaid beckons you into the Bonus Game when the timing clicks. On the numbers side, the package is clear and to the point: RTP 94%, medium volatility, and a headline max win of x10,000. Stakes are flexible, with a minimum bet of €0.20 and a maximum bet of €100, keeping the 4x4 action accessible. The release is slated for 21/08/2025, and the feature list is robust: Big Symbols (up to 4x4), Spreading Wilds, Prize Fish & Multipliers, Collectors in three flavors, a two-tiered Bonus Game/Super Bonus Game, and the signature X-iter feature buy options for those who want to jump straight into the highlights.

Graphics and Symbols with a salty breeze and a split-screen seascape

Design and Atmosphere

The visual style leans into retro-cartoon charm with a deliberately worn palette. In the distance, a rocky island rises from the sea, crowned by a lighthouse; closer to frame, two large buoys sway as the fisherman’s boat traverses the surface. Above, gulls patrol the skies with multipliers in tow; below, the 4x4 grid sits in clear water, an aquarium pane where symbols shimmer against a subdued blue-green. The overall mood is quirky yet restrained, with clean animations that give personality to the boat, birds, and sea creatures without cluttering the view. It’s a setup that feels instantly readable on any device and perfectly suits the collector-forward gameplay.

Symbols

• Main symbols
  • Fish (blue, green, purple, red) — high-paying set following a color hierarchy; 4-of-a-kind awards from 0.5x up to 2x the bet.
• Secondary symbols
  • Jellyfish (blue, green, purple, red) — low-paying set; 4-of-a-kind pays 0.2x the bet.
• Special symbols
  • Spreading Wild (yellow fish) — lands facing left or upward and sweeps in that direction, transforming every symbol in its path (even Big Symbols) into Wilds.
  • Prize Fish — fish that carry an instant prize shown as a multiplier of the current bet.
  • Multipliers (seagulls above the grid) — extra multipliers that enhance fish payouts when collected.
  • Collectors (fisherman on the top bar) — three types: Collector, Super Collector, and Diver; each gathers Prize Fish/Multipliers/Bonus symbols under specific rules.
  • Bonus/Super Bonus (mermaid) — collected to trigger the respective Bonus Game mode.

Sound Effects and Soundtrack

The soundtrack swings with a jaunty, busker-like flair, pairing toe-tapping melodies with soft aquatic ambience. Chirps from the seabirds, the gentle wash of the tide, and upbeat loops underscore spins and feature triggers, lending the game an affable, retro tone that fits its pared-back art direction. It’s catchy, distinctive, and easy on the ears over longer sessions.

Features and Bonuses where birds boost fish and the boat does the collecting

Fish And Bird pivots around collection, enlargement, and transformation. Wins come from symbol connections on adjacent reels, but the real fireworks spark when the surface action aligns with the underwater grid.

Big Symbols up to 4x4

All paying symbols except the Wild can land enlarged as 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4. These hulking icons span multiple reels and rows, making it easier to rack up combinations. They also interact brilliantly with other features: a Spreading Wild can convert an oversized symbol into a massive Wild block, and Collectors love when big prizes are concentrated.

Spreading Wilds that sweep left or up

Spreading Wilds land oriented either leftward or upward. When they hit, they travel in that direction until they reach the grid’s edge, turning every symbol in their path into Wilds. Because they affect Big Symbols too, a single sweep can fill sizeable portions of the 4x4 with Wilds, lighting up the 256 ways engine.

Prize Fish & Multipliers from the flock

Any fish can arrive as a Prize Fish with an instant award displayed as a multiplier of your active stake. Overhead, seagulls may carry additional Multipliers that boost those fish values. Both these prizes must be collected by the fisherman to count, tying the below-surface and above-surface layers into one system.

Collectors on the top bar: Collector, Super Collector, Diver

The fisherman appears above the grid as three functional variants: - Collector: gathers any Multipliers, Prize Fish, and Bonus symbols on the same reel. - Super Collector: gathers Multipliers on its reel and all Prize Fish and Bonus symbols from the entire grid. - Diver: appears only if Prize Fish or Bonus symbols are present but no Collector is; gathers any on the same reel. When a Collector or Super Collector grabs Prize Fish, a free spin is awarded and the boat shifts one column to the left, creating a satisfying “trawl” rhythm as it sweeps across the grid.

Bonus Game with guaranteed Collector

Collect a Bonus symbol via any Collector to start the Bonus Game. The round begins with one guaranteed Collector on the top bar; additional ones can arrive during play. The bonus continues as long as at least one Collector remains. This mode heightens the tension: each movement of the boat to the left is a chance to scoop more Prize Fish and multipliers before the last Collector sails off the grid.

Super Bonus Game with only Super Collectors

Collect a Super Bonus symbol to activate the elevated mode where only Super Collectors are present. With collection power that spans the entire grid for Prize Fish and Bonus symbols, this is the high-octane version of the feature, built to capitalize on clustered values and Big Symbols.

X-iter feature buys for instant action

The game supports ELK’s signature X-iter menu with several predefined modes: - Spreading Wild spin (10x bet) — guarantees a Spreading Wild. - Big Fish spin (25x bet) — guarantees a Big Fish. - Bonus Game (50x bet) — direct entry into the regular bonus. - Super Bonus Game (250x bet) — direct entry into the Super mode with only Super Collectors. - Bonus Hunt — an option that increases the chance to trigger the Bonus Game.

Statistics and Math for a compact grid with 256 ways

RTP

RTP: 94%. This sits below the genre’s common ~96% benchmark, which means a slightly leaner long-term return on average. In practice, that’s balanced by features that can string together strong sequences, particularly when Collectors align with Big Symbols and multipliers.

Volatility

Volatility: Medium. Expect a cadence that sits between steady tick-overs and occasional spikes, with the surface-level Collector bar adding suspense as it feeds the grid in pulses. Bonus rounds hold much of the game’s punch, but the base can pop thanks to Spreading Wilds and enlarged symbols.

Paylines and Win Mechanics

Ways to win: 256 on a 4x4 layout. Wins register for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the leftmost side, no traditional paylines required. The compact format makes every symbol feel consequential, and features like Spreading Wilds and Big Symbols up to 4x4 can dominate the grid in an instant.

Bet Limits and Accessibility

Bet range: €0.20–€100. The flexible spread keeps it friendly for casual sessions while offering room for those who prefer larger stakes. Add in x10,000 max win, and there’s plenty of headroom for dramatic moments when the collectors align.

Conclusion: a breezy, characterful collector slot with bite

Fish And Bird wins you over with its personality first and its mechanics soon after. The split-screen sea-and-sky setup is both elegant and readable, while the retro-cartoon finish gives everything a gently timeworn charm. On the gameplay side, the 4x4, 256-ways engine meshes beautifully with Big Symbols and Spreading Wilds, and the Collectors on the top bar provide a compelling heartbeat as they sweep left and gather Prize Fish & Multipliers. The two-tiered Bonus Game/Super Bonus Game pair adds a satisfying escalation, especially when Super Collectors are on deck. Strengths: - Distinctive collector system on a compact 4x4 grid that keeps spins snappy. - Big Symbols up to 4x4 and Spreading Wilds that can take over the board. - Super Bonus Game with only Super Collectors for a focused high-thrill mode. - x10,000 max win for headline potential. Weaknesses: - RTP at 94% is on the low side. - The compact grid may feel intense for those who prefer sprawling reel sets. Recommended for fans of collector-style gameplay, compact ways-to-win setups, and slots where surface mechanics feed into the reels below. If this blend of quirky art and layered features appeals, consider exploring titles with overlapping vibes: Nitropolis 4 (ELK Studios) for maximalist systems and X-iter variety, Cluster Slide (ELK Studios) for characterful creatures and power-up interplay, Big Fin Bay (Thunderkick) for ocean-facing adventure, or Golden Catch (Big Time Gaming) for another smart twist on boats and collecting.