Poseidon Ancient Fortunes Megaways is an underwater adventure developed by Triple Edge Studios in collaboration with Microgaming. Approximately two years after the events of Ancient Fortunes: Zeus, the game continues the story. Triple Edge has, for the first time, employed Big Time Gaming’s famous engine Megaways to power the program, which is the biggest difference except the introduction of a new Ancient Greek deity. Rolling Reels are still present, which is par for the course for this type of slot machine, but Triple Edge has added a few jackpots and turned them into a selling point.
Four jackpots are shown at once, making for a busy screen that isn’t overly obtrusive. Prize levels are shown to the left of the reels and range in value based on the player’s wager. A 6-reel Megaways grid and a 4-position horizontal reel take up the majority of the display area. There are up to 117,649 possible combinations of symbols on each spin, with anywhere from 2 to 7 appearing on each reel. While the reels spin, the realm of Poseidon can be seen in the distance, adding a splash of color to an already vibrant game.
Bets range from 40p/c to £/€40 each spin, however it’s not clear if this impacts a player’s chances of winning the jackpots. In testing, the game’s mathematical aspects came off as uncomfortable. Not the hit rate, which, at 33.10%, indicated a win around one every three spins. Medium volatility, no reel modifications, and infrequent major features can lead to base game monotony, especially when paired with low symbol values. The numbers aren’t awful however, with an RTP of 96.02% and a strong possibility for gambling.
Various animals, such as octopi, bulls, horses, clams, crabs, dolphins, and bulls, make up the lower value symbols. Triple Edge has done an excellent job recreating the appearance of Minoan and Ancient Greek armor. Three diamonds and a golden mask (perhaps of Poseidon) make up the four higher paying symbols, which pay out anywhere from 2 to 50 times the wager for 6 of a kind. Except for the golden face premium, which pays on 2 or more of a symbol, all other symbols require 3 of a kind to payoff.
Poseidon’s Megaways Slot Machine, Featuring Ancient Fortunes
Although the jackpots are the main attraction, a progressive win multiplier is available during free spins, allowing for even bigger payouts. In addition to these two components, Rolling Reels is the other gadget used to provide depth to the main game and bonus rounds.
The Rolling Reels response feature is a staple of the Megaways gameplay mechanic, clearing the board of winning symbols after a win. New symbols fall into the empty spaces, which might result in more winnings. When no new winning combination is formed, the reels will cease rolling.
Wild trident icons appear exclusively on the fifth reel. One way they help you win is by standing in for other symbols on a payline. Second, wild symbols that do not contribute to a victory are added to a chest in the lower left corner. There is a chance of activating the Jackpot Pick Game after Rolling Reels concludes. The greater the number of wilds amassed, the greater the likelihood of triggering.
Twelve tokens are shown anonymously in the Jackpot Pick Game. When a player reveals three identical tokens, they win the associated reward. Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega jackpots are each worth 15, 50, and 5,000 times the wager, respectively.
Scatter symbols (‘G’, ‘O’, ‘L’, and ‘D’) can appear on any reel. Seeing all four scatters triggers 12 free games, and seeing more than one anywhere on the reels gives an extra 5. During free spins, the win multiplier starts at x1 and increases by 1. Scatter symbols appear exclusively on the bonus reel, and getting three or four of them in view triggers an additional five or ten free games, respectively.
Review of the Slot Machine Poseidon’s Ancient Fortunes Megaways
While Poseidon Ancient Fortunes Megaways is an upgrade over Zeus: Ancient Fortunes, it still only offers tried-and-true elements. There is nothing inherently bad about the game, but it also fails to inspire any enthusiasm or creativity. While Triple Edge does an outstanding job of evoking the world of the Greek god of the sea, the game’s initial fascination is swiftly dampened by the game’s repetitive nature.
The lower than average value of the symbols is a major problem, making it typical to roll a series of six symbols in a row and receive an unusually low payoff. The hit frequency is fine, but without any of the add-ons, the game consists primarily of many one-cent victories. If anything, after plowing through hundreds of featureless base game spins, players may wish Triple Edge had included a ‘Hyper’ feature to provide a splash of creativity. When it comes down to it, technically speaking, Megaways gaming is pretty standard fare.
When your luck is on your side, however, you can count on the two main attractions. Of course, there’s the 5,000x immediate win from the Mega Jackpot, and the free spins are as exciting as they come with a Megaways progressive multiplier. When rolls and multipliers come together in large amounts during free spins, winnings as high as 10,000x the stake are conceivable even outside of the Jackpot.
Even yet, there aren’t many compelling reasons to choose Poseidon Ancient Fortunes Megaways above the plethora of other Megaways games. There aren’t many reasons to play Poseidon Ancient Fortunes Megaways unless you’re desperate for a second jackpot feature or just want a less erratic mathematical model.