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Translating a wicked piece of cinema into a pokie machine is a demanding job, and not many providers take it. However, Playtech is an industry trailblazer that knows how to respect iconography and do the film justice.
The gameplay flows smoothly, and we had a swell time playing the slot game that took us back to 2000. While nostalgia did kick in, it had nothing to do with the game’s quality. All the positive impressions are objective, and it was great to have fun with the famous characters.
Large icons dominate the playing field, and the entire audio-visual presentation is masterful. The characters react when they form winning combinations, making the game interactive and engaging. While the base game is pretty engrossing, the real fun begins once the features are active, including the Gladiator Jackpot Bonus.
Moreover, the action is fast-paced, although some would expect a more hectic tempo from the game where people fight to the death. You can’t lose large amounts too quickly, which is always commendable.
There is a lot to be enthusiastic about, but the progressive jackpot is the most appealing part of the game. The enormous potential wins make entering the arena worth considering, although the base game payouts are decent, too.
However, Gladiator Jackpot is not a perfect game, primarily due to technical problems. Besides the ridiculously low RTP, not having Russell Crowe in this game is another large drawback. He is the most recognisable face of the film, so his absence is virtually unforgivable.
The action in Gladiator Jackpot takes place on a standard 5×3 grid with 25 adjustable paylines. It is a medium volatility pokie, which means solid payouts land at decent intervals but without too many thrilling moments.
Furthermore, the most lucrative symbol is Commodus, granting 5,000 coins for five icons, which is the maximum non-jackpot win. Lucilla is significantly less generous with 1,000 coins, Gracchus grants 350, while Juba and Proximo award 250 coins each. The betting scope ranges between $0.25 to $25 per spin with all paylines active.
Unfortunately, the game quality is hampered by the measly RTP value of 91.46%, which is far below the industry standard. It manages to make up for it with elegant features and hefty payouts, but some people cannot look past Maximus not being there.
The game offers two bonus rounds, including the Coliseum Bonus feature and the Gladiator Jackpot Bonus. Each has its own set of assets, bringing fantastic news to the players.
Land three Coliseum Scatter symbols to trigger the feature and start the fun. We clicked the Start button, and the game took us to a 5×4 playing field. One should pick a stone, starting from the bottom row.
You receive 3 extra spins if the Emperor symbol appears on the middle reel. Up to 24 free spins with up to 3x multiplier are available in this feature. How many free spins and how high multipliers you will get is all about luck.
The previous feature might seem tempting, but Gladiator Jackpot Bonus is the biggest attraction of the game. The feature is triggered when three Helmet Wilds appear on reels 2, 3 and 4. It can happen during the base game or the Coliseum Bonus. You will encounter nine helmets in three variants – gold, silver and bronze. They hide cash prizes.
Players have 9 picks and can’t win the jackpot if the feature is activated within free spins. However, if you trigger Gladiator Jackpot Bonus in the base games and reveal 9 Gold Helmets, the top prize will be yours.
The progressive jackpot in this Playtech 2012 release typically goes over $2m, so there is plenty to hope for. Unfortunately, Lady Luck hasn’t smiled upon us.
Gladiator Jackpot is a medium volatility progressive pokie that delivers fantastic entertainment and potentially enormous payouts. It has dynamic gameplay, thrilling features and a decent cap win.
If you like historical adventures as we do, it will be your cup of tea, with or without the main hero.
Gladiator is a famous film that deserves to have its own series of slot games. The second of three games is the most attractive if you can look past the half-pie RTP value and a few other drawbacks.
It is a game that has the ammo to attract large audiences and retain its appeal for many years since its release.
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