Medusa Hot 1 Reimagines a Greek Icon
Published: mon 4 oct 2021
Medusa Hot 1 is the second slot to have been developed by Hot Rise Games in partnership with ReelPlay through the YG Masters program at Yggdrasil Gaming. The aim of the program is to encourage independent developers to bring something fresh and different to the online slot scene, and Medusa Hot 1 certainly does that by bringing us a game based on a reimagined presentation of one of the most famous – and feared – icons of Greek myth.
Medusa Hot 1: Format and Presentation
The terrifying icon we’re talking about here is the snake-haired Medusa. As the story goes, anyone who dared to look at her terrifying countenance was immediately turned to stone, and although there’s plenty of stone-turning shenanigans taking place in this game, players are thankfully immune to her granite-making glare.
This is a 5-reel slot with 15 pay lines. The reels are set within a simple granite frame that is reminiscent of a stone temple, and the background has a suitably dark, dungeon-like quality, with the only light coming from a few torches that hang from its walls.
Lower-value symbols in this game are the playing card ranks of J, Q, K, and A, while higher-value symbols are six different characters from Greek myth, including the Cyclops and the Minotaur. A green bonus symbol serves as a scatter, and Medusa herself is wild. Any win containing a wild symbol in the main game will be multiplied by two.
The visuals in this game are fairly simple and have a colourful, cartoon-like style that we think would work particularly well on smartphones and tablets. As far as audio is concerned, an ominous orchestral soundtrack does a great job of establishing a rich sense of atmosphere, so we would recommend that you wear headphones for the best effect.
Mystery Respin Feature
Get two bonus scatter symbols on the reels, and you’ll trigger a Mystery Respin feature. The two reels hosting those scatter symbols will stick in place, then the other reels will respin once.
It is possible for the bonus scatter symbols to transform into wilds before the respin takes place, in which case you’ll get what’s called a Medusa Wild Respin. Or the bonus symbols might transform into wilds and also give you a 5x multiplier, in which case it’s a Medusa Power Respin.
Free Spins Feature
When you get three or more bonus scatter symbols on the reels – either when playing normally or thanks to a Mystery Respin – you will trigger a Free Spins feature. This will give you seven free spins, and the scatters that triggered it will transform into the lowest value Greek myth figure and stick in place.
When a free spin adds another bonus symbol, that too will transform and stick in place, and one extra free spin will be awarded to you. However, when you take a free spin, and no new bonus symbol appears, all sticky figures will turn to stone and transform into the next highest Greek myth figure. This means that the sticky figures will transform into increasingly valuable symbols as the Free Spins feature plays out.
The last free spin is called the Hot 1. All sticky symbols will serve as wild symbols for this spin. If any additional bonus symbol appears, that too will become a sticky wild, and another Hot 1 spin will be awarded. The Hot 1 spin ends when no additional bonus symbols appear.
A Fresh Take
‘This latest addition to the YG Masters portfolio offers a fresh take on the proven Greek mythology theme,’ said Stuart McCarthy, who is Head of Product and Programs at Yggdrasil. ‘With thrilling features, high win potential and eye-catching tall symbols, Medusa Hot 1 fits perfectly into the YG Masters offering, which was introduced to deliver unique and innovative content from independent studios.’
Over at ReelPlay, CEO David Johnson said: ‘The latest in Hot Rise Games’ Hot 1 series, Medusa Hot 1 provides an intense, high volatility engine packaged with a proven theme and accompanying art and soundscape. The Hot 1 series of games offer incredible excitement at the peak of the bonus games with huge win potential and are infinitely re-playable.’
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