Argonauts: Slot Overview
Editor’s note: This review is based on an early access version of the game. We may update the review after the full release if necessary.
In Greek mythology, the Argonauts was the name given to a group of heroes led by Jason who sailed across the sea on a quest to find the Golden Fleece, an adventure said to have taken place before the Trojan War. Argonauts is also the name given to an online slot developed by Pragmatic Play, which appears to be inspired by the myth, or at least, the time period Jason and the Golden Fleece came from. Theme use that’s not enormously original has been paired with features that aren’t enormously original either, but Money symbol collection enthusiasts might have their interest piqued by the way Collector symbols can gather and multiply prize values.
At first, Argonauts looked like it was a slot that dwelt beneath the sea, in a sunken city, where sunlight struggled to reach. On further inspection, the action appears to take place on solid, dry ground, just in a dim, eerily lit environment. Apart from the in-water, on-land puzzle, Argonauts is an obviously Greek myth-inspired game of columned structures, pointy Greek lettering, and heroic imagery.
Argonauts is a 5×4 slot that provides 1,024 ways to win. Starting from the leftmost side of the grid, winning combinations must land matching symbols on at least 3 adjacent reels. A wide range of betting requirements should be covered by the 20c to $/€240 stake range, though this is not a slot Pragmatic Play has included an ante bet with. The math model volatility setting is high, and a maximum available 96.47% RTP value isn’t a bad figure to go with it.
Ten pay symbols may be found in the game. They are 10-A card royals, awarding 0.6x to 0.8x the bet for 5 OAK, as well as swords, horns, skeletons, a female character, and a male character. Premium winning combinations 5 OAK in length award 1.5x to 5x the bet.
Argonauts: Slot Features
The name of the game is collecting Money symbols, which can be done in the base game and during the Respins bonus feature, which can be bought. Upping the ante is the way Collector symbols can also carry multiplier values.
Money Symbol Collection
Money symbols hit with a value of 0.5x to 50x the bet. When Wild Collector symbols land, they substitute for all symbols except the Money symbol. In addition, a landed Wild Collector collects the values of adjacent Money symbols vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Wild Collectors can also carry a random multiplier of x2 to x2,000, which is applied to the values of all Money symbols it collects. For each Money symbol collected, the multiplier increases by +1.
Respin Feature
Hitting 6 or more Money symbols in the base game awards the Respin feature. Triggering Money symbols remain in place, and only Money symbols, Wild Collectors, or blanks spin and stop. All Money symbols that hit stay in position till the end of the round. Any landed Wild Collector symbols collect the values of Money symbols around them and add the amount to the total win of the round. 3 respins are initially awarded, and every time a new Money symbol or Collector hits, the number of respins returns to 3. The feature ends when there are no respins remaining or the screen is filled with Money symbols. At the end of the round, the values of all Money symbols in view are added together and paid. If the screen is full, each Money symbol value is multiplied by x2.
Feature Buy
The Respin round can be bought from the base game for 60x the bet. When buying the feature, a random number of Money symbols (a minimum of 6) will trigger it.
Argonauts: Slot Verdict
Having co-authored some of the most successful Money symbol collection slots on the planet with partner Reel Kingdom, Pragmatic Play certainly knows a thing or two about making these sorts of games. While acknowledging that, Argonauts did not come across as the pinnacle of the studio’s combined design expertise and know-how. On the contrary, Argonauts felt closer to shelf filler than a collector slot expected to take down the champions of the genre. Sure, not every game is tasked with aiming for greatness, it’s just that Argonauts didn’t turn out to be as epic as the group of heroes which share the slot’s title.
When Argonauts is in the right mood, there’s no doubt it can technically pop, though. The way Collector symbols can only collect adjacent Money symbols injects a restrictive element, but one that is offset by the fact Collector symbols can come with multiplier values to boost payouts. Big ones too, climaxing at 2,000x. Even at baseline multiplier levels, each collected Money symbol increases the multiplier value, adding an extra thrill to the collection process. Argonauts does that thing, which teases out the main feature in the base game before building on it in the bonus round. The plus being, only Money symbols and Collectors may appear in the bonus in an attempt to build a chunky final total.
Achieving the Golden Fleece equivalent in this game would be hitting its maximum 10,000x the bet win cap. All things considered, Argonauts was an average Money symbol collection game, something for connoisseurs of the form to cross off their lists, but not one of Pragmatic Play’s first-rate examples.
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