The first game from Buck Stakes Entertainment, one of the several independent developers that have partnered with Microgaming, is called 8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger Megaways, which is quite a mouthful. There is currently very little information available online regarding Buck Stake Entertainment. A trademark diary entry is the only additional piece of information available for this Megaways-driven slot game with free spins, multipliers, and a Firepot prize.
The fact that 8 Golden Skulls Megaways is staffed completely by women is one of its most distinctive features. Neither do we locate the five of them on a ship. Instead, a beautiful tropical backdrop can be seen through the translucent 6-reel Megaways-powered gaming grid. As the sun sets, players catch a glimpse of the ocean, some hilly islands, and perhaps St. Lucia, all bathed in a lavender purple. The score adds to the mood by merging a pirating jig with a Lord of the Dance Celtic tune, which at first seems overly simplistic but grows on you after a while. It makes one think of assembling a fresh crew, stocking up on supplies, and setting sail for uncharted treasure. In any case, it’s close enough.
You may play 8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger Megaways on any device with a betting range of 20 pence to £/€20. The game has a high RTP (Return to Player) setup of 96.86% and strong volatility. Approximately 32.4 percent of spins result in a win, making the hit rate fairly high. When these numbers and features are added together, gamers have enough to do while out on the open seas.
The lower-paying symbols are the standard playing card values from 10 to A, while the higher-paying symbols are five swashbuckling heroines. The reward for a winning combination of six premium symbols ranges from 1.5 times the bet to 60 times the wager. While there is no wild in this game, there are a number of unique symbols that can help players win more often.
Slot Functions: 8 Skulls of Gold from the Jolly Roger Megaways
Each spin can result in anywhere from 64 to 117,649 different possibilities to win, depending on how many identical symbols appear on the six reels. The Rolling Reels feature is activated when at least three identical symbols appear in order from the leftmost reel. With Rolling Reels, won symbols are rolled off the screen and replaced by others that fall into empty slots below. This procedure repeats itself until no fresh winning streaks can be generated.
Treasure chests are hidden mystery symbols that can occur on any reel. When they fall to the ground, they all change into a single matching symbol—anything but the scatter.
The Firepot is a patented bonus round that operates similarly to the scatter pays jackpot in 9 Masks of Fire. The Punk Rocker dance performed by the skull emblems upon landing is the main attraction. The values of these cards, which are shown on the screen’s right, increase in proportion to the amount at risk. If you get 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 skulls, you win 1,500, 3,000, 6,000, 9,000, or 15,000 times your initial bet. It’s important to remember that Rolling Reels do not clear the grid of skulls.
When at least four scatters appear during a single game, the free spins bonus is activated (any more scatters provide an additional two free spins). However, the final tally is dependent on the outcome of a bonus wheel spin. 10-30 free spins with a multiplier of x1-3 are up for grabs here. Once the bonus is activated, all free spins winnings, including Firepot winners, will be multiplied by this amount. Last but not least, getting 3 scatters during the round awards 4 more free spins, plus 2 more for every subsequent scatter on the retrigger.
The Slots Have Spoken: 8 Skulls of Gold and a Million Ways
Holly Skulls, 8 of Gold Buck Stake’s debut album, Roger Megaways, is a respectable offering that successfully covers all the necessary ground. Rolling Reels, a scatter jackpot, and a bonus wheel that awards free spins all make an appearance. There is a plethora of functionality at your disposal if that’s what you seek. While none of the components are very novel, they are cohesively presented here.
Even the little things, such the cool animations on winning symbols, coin splashes, and Firepot dispersion motions, have been executed beautifully. The role of sound is significant, and a catchy melody may serve as a motivating factor to keep the wheel turning. 8 Golden Skull is a game that might challenge your patience, so you may need some extra encouragement to keep going. It’s very uncommon to land two or even three diamond scatters, but it’s a Herculean effort to get any of them to fall in a tumble. It’s hardly shocking, considering the high hit rate and the large proportion of extras to the return to player.
Then, hopefully, you’ll enjoy the Firepot feature, as it’s featured far more prominently than free spins. The maximum payoff in 8 Golden Skull is not advertised, although it is theoretically possible to win 6,000x by getting 8 skull scatters during a free spin with a multiplier of x3.
While not essential to your Megaways experience, “8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger” is nevertheless fun and exciting. 8 Golden Skulls of Holly Roger has all you need for a 9 Masks of Fire-like experience, only with pirate garb and a more elaborate reel setup. If the pirate girls aren’t in a giving mood, don’t expect to see everything.