Avalon 3  (Bigwinboard.com)

Avalon 3: Slot Overview

Way back in the mists of time, we're talking way back, like 2006, software provider Microgaming released the Arthurian Legend-themed slot Avalon that found a warm, cosy space in many a gambler's affections. Eight years later came Avalon 2, and more than a decade after that, we arrived at Avalon 3. Since the original was released, its maker has had a name change and passed the duties for designing the third slot off to its partner Stormcraft Studios, which has chosen to fill the game with features such as Magic Orb prizes, Jackpots, and free spins.

The setting for this is a gothic space of arches, columns, and coins. Literally, coins lie all about the floor, while a majestic character, Arthur presumably, presides over the riches. The game screen clearly advertises features to look out for, with a free spins and a Magic Orb chest sitting above the reels, and Jackpot prizes displayed over to the side acting as a helpful way players can decide whether this is the slot for them or not. The visuals are a lot more high-def than the original, which is to be expected given the passage of time, and the soundtrack is rather stirring, too.

Powered by a highly volatile math model, Avalon 3 is played on a 5x4 grid with 20 paylines built in for assessing winning combinations. Clicking the coins button opens up the stake menu, where the options go as low as 20 c or as high as $/€50 per spin. The highest RTP possible of the three configurations is 96.3%, and at that return level, players can theoretically expect a hit rate of 18.11%.

Avalon 3's hierarchy of symbols is made up of 9-A royals, a room, some scenery, a castle, a throne, a dragon sculpture holding an orb, and Merlin. Five-of-a-kind royal wins pay 1x to 1.8x the bet, while the remaining symbols are worth 2x to 10x the bet for a 5 OAK combination. Wild symbols substitute any of the regular paying symbols and may land stacked in the base game or free spins.

Avalon 3: Slot Features

Keep an eye out for Orbs, as they are linked to the features, such as a Magic Orb Bonus, a Jackpot Bonus, free spins and a bonus buy option.

Magic Orb Bonus

Magic Orb symbols are present on the middle reel. When a Magic Orb hits, the Magic Orb Count which starts at 5, increases by +1, up to a maximum of 50. The Magic Orb Bonus may randomly trigger when a Magic Orb is collected. A number of prizes equal to the Magic Orb Count is added to the reels before the next spin starts. Prizes may include the Mini, Minor, or Midi Jackpots and Coin values of up to 6x the bet. A Magic Orb Multiplier of x2 or x3 may randomly be applied to all awarded prizes, and the Magic Orb Count resets to 5 after prizes have been awarded.

Ways Wins

When 3 or more Magic Orbs land on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel and no feature triggers, a Ways Win awards Orb prizes. Free Spins and Jackpot Orbs act as wilds, helping to connect Ways Wins.

Jackpot Bonus

Collecting Jackpot Orbs from reels 2, 3, or 4 increases the Mega or the Maxi Jackpots. Collecting Jackpot Orbs can also randomly trigger the Jackpot Bonus. When triggered, players click coins until 3 matching Jackpot symbols are revealed, and the corresponding prize is awarded. Possible prizes are the 8x Mini, 15x Minor, 40x Midi, 100x to 1,000x Maxi, or the 1,000x to 5,000x Mega. An x3 multiplier may apply to the Midi, Minor, and Mini prize.

Free Spins

Collecting free spins Orbs from reels 2, 3, or 4 may randomly trigger the free spins feature. The round begins with 8 free spins and a Magic Orb Count of 5. During free spins, if the Magic Orb Bonus triggers, the Magic Orb Count remains persistent for the duration of the feature. Landing a Free SPins Orb grants +3 free spins.

Bonus Buy

Avalon 3 lets gamblers buy its free spins bonus round where the cost for doing so is 100 times the bet.

Avalon 3: Slot Verdict

In Internet terms, the original Avalon slot is practically ancient history, which may have influenced why, despite the passing of nearly two decades, Avalon 3 also felt a little old-fashioned. It doesn't help that the game relies heavily on local Jackpot features, which continually gush forth from the Games Global stable of studios like a smashed fire hydrant. Enough gamblers must be lapping this stuff up to justify the repeated use of things like the rising jackpot prize element. Clearly, some like the idea of having to grow jackpots to their maximum values rather than just having access to the top prize from the very first spin. Ah well, the GG team has found a niche and is set on flooding it with choices like Avalon 3.

Running alongside Jackpots is the Magic Orb Bonus, which is something. It is able to deal out wins in the base game, and watching Orbs float around, in and out of chests, and back onto the board provides visual theatrics. The Magic Orb Bonus gets more interesting in free spins since the Magic Orb Count does not reset while the round is active, plus there's also the Magic Orb Multiplier to consider in the deal. The game has a lot fewer features than Avalon 2 did, though, which might be a letdown for those who liked the previous game; less winning potential, too, at 5,000x the bet at best.

And so, Avalon 3 was a bit of a disappointment, but not a hugely surprising one given this group of studios' reliance on local Jackpots in slots. Avalon 3 might scratch veteran gamblers' nostalgia itch, and a third release in a series that's been running for so long has a certain novelty factor. But without the recognisable name and long history, it's possible Avalon 3 wouldn't have even shown up on the radar.