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If you’re anything like me, something going bump in the night is hair-raising enough. Ending up in a vampire hideout would have me gapping it before you could say Jack Robinson. For those with a braver soul, marching into the undead pit to loot their treasure might be just what the doctor ordered!
Sneaking through the streets, you’ll come across plenty of vampires and vampire-hunting tools. Count Dracula and his bloody bride assume the role of Wilds and Scatters. Meanwhile, bloody hammers and wooden stakes are the Bonus symbol.
Blood Suckers put vampire pokies on the map for many New Zealanders. While many other titles attempted to recreate its success, none were able to dethrone NetEnt’s release.
That’s a shame because the game is starting to show its age visually. Red Tiger Gaming tried their best with Blood Suckers Megaways, which was meant to be a graphical and gameplay refresh of this classic. However, players decided to stick with the claustrophobic alleyway and the thick fog masking untold horrors.
Despite the dated visuals, the backdrop still retains its incredible atmosphere. Unfortunately, I cannot extend the same praise for the icons. The vampires were clearly designed to be scary, menacing creatures. However, their dated appearance makes them look a little goofy instead. The less valuable icons aged better, offsetting the half-pie ghouls.
While some elements still look good, I can’t say the same for every part of the Blood Suckers slot. However, the title’s strong side was never in the visuals. It lies in the approachable and lucrative math model that’ll have Kiwis coming back for more.
The game uses a 5×3 grid with 25 fixed paylines. It has a low variance, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced players.
Keep an eye out for vampires, as they’ll net you the best payouts. The ashen-faced man with long hair and a moustache will award up to 20x your total stake. Meanwhile, the noble and bald vampires will both pay up to 10x.
The pokie’s minimum bet is $0.25, while the maximum wager is $50. The betting range should suit most players, with high rollers being the sole exception.
With an RTP of 98%, Blood Suckers is streets ahead of the competition. The game’s jackpot is 1,014.6x the bet, and you have a reasonable chance to hit it. However, don’t expect it to be easy. During my test run, I couldn’t land prizes above 150x the stake.
The title has straightforward bonus features, which is to be expected given it launched in 2013. Their simplicity is counteracted by their frequency and the winning potential they provide.
Wilds are the unsung hero of this slot. They can substitute for any symbol except for Scatters and Bonus icons. They helped me form a winning combo more times than I can count, earning Count Dracula a spot close to my heart. Not too close, though – I like the blood inside my body, thank you very much! Wilds can also create winning combinations independently, awarding up to 300x.
You can unlock the Free Spins feature by landing 3 or more Scatters. Cash prizes are tripled while the bonus feature is active, resulting in better rewards. I didn’t have much of a chance to try free spins, as they proved elusive during my playtime. However, the few times I got lucky, I scored my best payouts during this feature.
The Bonus Game feature is the most thematically fitting of the three, triggered by getting 3 or more Bonus symbols. You’re transported to a burial chamber, where you click or tap on coffins to slay the vampires inside. I never managed to win more than 100x on this feature, though its theoretical maximum payout is 812.8x your wager.
The fact Blood Suckers remained so popular over the years shows NetEnt struck gold with its design. Its high RTP and simple features make it ideal for new players just starting out.
The pokie’s low volatility ensures the bonus features activate often. It gives you more chances to land big payouts and breaks up the monotony of base game spins. Don’t expect the low variance to make it easy on you, though. Big jackpots remain as elusive as ever.
If the review stopped here, I could stamp my seal of approval and call it a day. Unfortunately, I’d be leaving out a crucial detail: the dated visuals. The title was released in 2013, and the graphics did not age gracefully.
If you can look past the visuals, you’ll find an exhilarating game still worth playing. Otherwise, I’d suggest trying Red Tiger Gaming’s Blood Suckers Megaways, which offers updated graphics and new features. Because of that, my final rating of Blood Suckers is 7.9 out of 10.
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