Deposit Bonus
Free Spins
Supplier
Reels
Rows
Paylines
Released
RTP
Max Win
Volatility
Theme
Multipliers
Bonus Buy
Progressive
The thing I noticed first about this game was its fast pace despite the variance. Consecutive wins and the new mechanic complemented each other perfectly, so I enjoyed the game flow from frame one. While wins were not exceptional, they were enough to keep me invested.
Additionally, the audio-visual presentation was excellent, despite the fact I have seen better graphics. I have relished the fight between good and evil in an Asian fashion, reminding me of the martial arts films I enjoyed as a kid. The smile was on my face all the time, and I could not ask for anything more from a game.
Due to the volatility, the pokie did not take much to get going, and I had a blast when it did. Although the big bucks escaped me, I grabbed several excellent wins and consecutive payouts that showed me the game’s true potential. It pays both ways, so it is a great game for those who like dynamic and suspenseful pokies.
The retro electro vibe blends well with the arcade style of this game, producing a special feeling and an excellent atmosphere. I have never visited Asia, but PopRocks made me feel at home despite some non-traditional ingredients. AvatarUX did an outstanding job introducing the mechanics that conquered the market by storm.
Still, I need to point out a flaw or two, starting from the fact there are no Wilds before the Bonus Mode or Free Spins. The traditional bonus features are a big no-no here, and the game would have benefitted from one or two. Still, the developer gave me what I expected, which was a highly memorable experience.
The Oriental fight between good and evil occurs on a 5×4 grid, and it starts with 486 ways to win but can grow to 33,614. Once the PopWins mechanic is in motion, anything is possible, adding a sense of excitement and unpredictability.
The most lucrative symbols include gems clasped by golden, green, purple and blue, with 5 of them granting 100x the stake. Medium-pay icons are red, purple, blue and green gems, while 5 royals (10-A) are low-pay symbols. Wilds come too late, and Scatters do not at all, which left me wondering about the game’s possibilities if they were there all the time.
The volatility is low, promising small but common wins and keeping players on their toes all the time. Do not worry about the low variance; it was thrilling enough for me during the entire run. I started playing with only $0.17, while the highest potential bet was $34.97. If you are a high-roller, fret not; the maximum win is 72,188x the stake.
PopRocks has several features that are more than enough for a thrilling pokie, including PopWins, Multiplier, and Bonus Mode.
PopWins are cascading wins with a slightly different system, where the winning icons are popped off and replaced by two new symbols each. Since more symbols require more space, the game extends the reels for that purpose. Each reel can go up to 7 symbols high, reaching the number of 33,614. New symbols turn up until there are no winning combinations.
The Multiplier Bonus is triggered when players gather 7 pops in the vault. I liked the idea of increasing the multiplier by 1x every 7 wins. It could genuinely ramp up the wins, for it is possible to grab 72,188x the stake. The game shows one needs a bit of luck to do so, but the temptation is certainly there.
When the columns are seven high, the Bonus Mode activates, granting the players 3 extra modifiers. A Wild is added to the game, replacing a random symbol; the multiplier increases by 2x at the time, and every Pop brings a single symbol instead of two.
PopRocks is a game whose high tempo never stops and whose gameplay is always interesting. As an enthusiast who appreciates creativity, I can say the pokie was beaut, with PopWins and the Bonus Mode making everything more thrilling.
AvatarUX might have polished some things in later games, but PopRocks was an excellent start for the new engine, and I had a great time.
On the other hand, I have to mention some drawbacks, starting with the fact that Wild symbols appear only in the Bonus Mode. It is not easy to trigger it, and having Wilds there comes across as too little too late.
I think the Free Spins round would have also helped, as well as a broader betting scope. However, I had a fantastic time, and the game did not let me down.
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Cons