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Kiwi players who enjoyed the original Buffalo King slot will look forward to seeing familiar territory. However, I have to point out that the Megaways game engine brings a playing experience of its own.
The plains of North America are home to majestic creatures, and you will see plenty of them populating the reels. On the other hand, the slot’s crisp visuals and picturesque backdrop will immediately transport you to the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
I have to say there is nothing special about the game’s low-value symbols. They are represented by playing cards, and I couldn’t find anything that separates them from the similar icons in other pokies.
However, premiums feature some of the most recognisable animals from the North American continent, like moose, wolves, cougars, eagles, and the titular star of this release, buffaloes. The remaining symbols I encountered while roaming the prairie were the Wild and the Scatter, each with its distinctive and vital role.
If you are familiar with how the Megaways mechanic works, then you will have a clear picture of the grid setup in play.
The game board has 6 reels, each holding up to 8 symbols. All symbols pay for landing at least 3 matching icons on adjacent reels, except buffaloes, which pay even for 2-of-a-kind. In terms of cash prizes, they pay from 0.6x to 20x the bet for winning combinations containing 6 matching symbols.
After a win is formed, the Tumble feature jumps into action, removing the triggering icons from the reels. New ones drop into the empty positions, repeating the process if another winning combination is created. This can go on until no more wins appear.
Volatility hasn’t changed, and it is still very high. The RTP has gone up to 96.52%, while the win potential drastically dropped to 5,000x, which is more reachable and realistic now. When it comes to betting, Kiwi players can wager anywhere from $0.20 to $100 on every spin.
Although wandering around the prairie doesn’t sound too eventful, developers at Pragmatic Play made sure you would remember this experience. You know me, I could always go for more, but sometimes, having too many extras can negatively impact the gameplay.
The Wild symbol can land only on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, replacing all other regular symbols. That way, they can help create more wins.
Bonus symbols are the way to the Free Spins feature. These icons can appear anywhere on the reels, with at least 4 needed to unlock the bonus round. Whenever this occurs, the game pays 5x, 20x, or 100x the bet for awards 12, 17, or 22 spins, depending on the number of triggering symbols. Like in the original Buffalo King game, the backdrop changes during Free Spins.
Multipliers of 2x, 3x, and 5x jump into action here, and are more than capable of producing bigger wins, even if they reset between spins.
Every time 3 Scatters appear during the feature, 5 additional spins are added to the tally. In theory, there’s no limit to the number of spins you can win, although in practice, it will be next to impossible.
As the name suggests, this is an excellent option for everyone willing to take more risks. Ante Bet increases the stake by 25% but in turn, doubles the odds of triggering Free Spins by providing more Scatters. Everything else, meaning regular payouts, stays the same.
Activating this option limits the maximum win amount during Free Spins. Reaching a win of 5,000x will immediately end the round and forfeit the remaining freebies.
This is another functionality that really doesn’t need an introduction. Everyone can use it to access Free Spins instantly for a price of 100x the bet. The number of triggering Scatters, and the number of spins, are determined at random. Unfortunately, using the Ante Bet disables the Buy Free Spins option.
As a fan of the original Buffalo King slot, I looked forward to seeing this Megaways makeover. With 200,704 winning ways, every spin promises a rollercoaster of excitement and hefty prizes. The Tumble feature does its job with flying colours, enabling multiple wins within a single spin.
Free Spins deliver more thrill, especially as multipliers of 2x, 3x, and 5x can significantly boost your winning during the round. Unlimited triggers further add to the fun, although retriggering the round more than a couple of times will be virtually impossible.
The Bonus Buy is another neat addition to the gameplay, as it allows unlocking Free Spins in a matter of seconds. A fee of 100x bet is a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.
One of the pokie’s pitfalls is high volatility, which can discourage less experienced players. The win potential of 5,000x the bet is not so poor, but compared to the original title, it makes you wonder whether the development team could have been more generous.
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