John Hunter and the Book of Tut: Overview
Hearing the words “Book of” in relation to slot games inevitably brings to mind the iconic Novomatic game, Book of Ra, which started the trend. Pragmatic Play’s team has clearly drawn inspiration from this classic, as seen in the fourth installment of their John Hunter series, John Hunter and the Book of Tut. This isn’t their first foray into Book of Ra-inspired slots, as evidenced by Ancient Egypt Classic. Let’s delve into another Book of Ra-inspired slot and see what it offers.
Visual Appeal and Setting
The visuals are a significant improvement over the original. With more than a decade of technological advancements, it’s expected to be more visually appealing, and John Hunter and the Book of Tut does not disappoint. The 5-reel, 3-row grid is set in a bright, sunny desert with pyramids in the distance, creating an immersive Egyptian-themed backdrop. John Hunter returns from his adventures in South America and Italy, looking like a modern Indiana Jones, ready for a Hallmark Channel movie. Players can choose bets ranging from 10 p/c to P100 per spin, adding to the pesowin excitement of pesowin exploring the treasures of Tut.
Classic Reel Action with a Modern Twist
While the background image has been upgraded, the reel action maintains a classic feel. The 10 paylines light up whenever a win occurs, which happens with at least two premium or three low-pay symbols. A Ra-like jingle plays with each spin, adding a humorous touch when the game is in turbo mode. This blend of old and new enhances the player experience, making each spin a mix of nostalgia and modern gaming excitement.
Symbol Values and Game Mechanics
The base game offers little more than occasional wins while waiting for the book symbol to appear, a hallmark of the Book of Ra formula. Symbol values remain the same, featuring low-pay 10-A royals adorned with small icons and high pays including a scarab, a cat, Tut, and John Hunter, who is the most valuable at 500 times the stake for five of a kind. The pesowin factor is heightened by the anticipation of landing these symbols in optimal combinations.
High Volatility and RTP
The math model is highly volatile, earning a full 5/5 rating on Pragmatic’s volatility meter. The RTP of 96.5% is one of the most generous among Book slots, though this can vary depending on where you play. For comparison, Book of Dead offers a 96.21% RTP, while Book of Ra Deluxe is lower at 95.10%. For those seeking a high RTP Book slot, Book of Atem by All41Studios is a solid choice with an RTP of 96.45%. This high RTP ensures that players have a fair chance at pesowin payouts.
The Book Symbol: Wild and Scatter
Another aspect that remains unchanged is the features, where the book symbol reigns supreme. It serves dual purposes as both the wild and scatter symbol. As a wild, the book can substitute for any symbol on the paytable to create winning combinations. As a scatter, landing 3 or more book symbols on the reels awards players with 10 free spins. Additionally, these 3, 4, or 5 book symbols also provide payouts of 2x, 20x, or 200x the stake, respectively, to kick off the bonus game. This dual function adds a layer of strategic gameplay, increasing the pesowin potential.
Free Spins and Special Symbols
Before the Free Spins begin, a book opens, and one of the regular pay symbols is selected at random. During free spins, when this special symbol appears on the reels, it expands to cover an entire reel. While 3 low-pay symbols are required to trigger a payout, only 2 premium symbols are needed. The best part is that this happens even if the symbols are not adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the bonus game can be extended since the book symbols remain active, awarding 10 additional free spins for landing 3 or more, with no limit. This feature enhances the pesowin experience, offering players multiple opportunities to win big.
Potential Payouts and Game Dynamics
John Hunter and the Book of Tut offers a solid dose of Egyptian-themed gaming with the potential for significant payouts. The game’s high volatility and the inclusion of expanding symbols during free spins contribute to a maximum win potential of 5,000 times the stake. This might seem modest by Pragmatic Play’s standards, but it is achievable by landing five expanding John Hunter symbols on a free spin. This feature keeps players engaged and adds to the pesowin thrill.
Verdict: A Worthy Successor to a Classic
At the end of the day, John Hunter and the Book of Tut is essentially another clone of Book of Ra, albeit with some slight mathematical tweaks to ensure it’s not an exact replica. One notable difference is the slightly higher RTP, which reduces the house edge—a welcome improvement. Fans of the original Book of Ra will be pleased to know that its key features have been successfully transferred to John Hunter and the Book of Tut. While the base game remains fairly standard, the brilliance of the bonus game persists, particularly with the pay-anywhere expanding special symbols that can dramatically change the game. Although this feature exists in other slots, the properties of the special symbols in this game enhance the likelihood of such occurrences, making it as thrilling as ever when it happens. The pesowin potential, combined with improved visuals and gameplay mechanics, makes this slot a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
