Introduction
The Royal Express is a modern online casino slot game designed by prominent developer Quickspin. Released in 2015, it has garnered widespread attention among players and critics alike for its unique theme, engaging gameplay mechanics, and rewarding features. This comprehensive review delves into the intricacies of the Royal Express slot, examining every aspect to provide an in-depth understanding of this captivating play demo game.
Theme and Design
The Royal Express is set against a backdrop inspired by the grandeur of 19th-century European trains. Players are transported to a world where luxury and adventure converge. The theme’s elegance and sophistication are reflected in the visually stunning graphics, rich sound effects, and immersive soundtrack. The reels are adorned with regal symbols such as crowns, royal crests, and high-ranking officials’ portraits, while lower-paying symbols include playing cards and other train-themed icons.
Symbols and Payouts
The Royal Express slot features a total of 40 paylines across its five reels. Symbols can appear in various combinations to form winning patterns, with the exception of special feature triggers (wilds and scatters). The standard symbol payouts are as follows:
- A, K, Q, J: 5-50 coins
- King’s Crest, Ace’s Crown: 10-100 coins
- Train Carriage, Train Conductor: 20-200 coins
The payout values mentioned above assume a maximum bet of €2.00 per spin and are based on the default RTP (Return to Player) setting.
Wilds
In the Royal Express slot, wilds take the form of trains speeding across the reels. Trains can appear in two variants: standard train or high-speed express. These special symbols substitute for regular pay symbols to create winning combinations and participate in bonus features as well.
Scatters
The royal crest symbol represents scatters, which award players free spins when landing three or more on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost position. The number of free spins depends on how many scatter symbols are triggered:
- 3 Scatter Symbols: 10 Free Spins
- 4 Scatter Symbols: 20 Free Spins
- 5 Scatter Symbols: 30 Free Spins
Bonus Features
The Royal Express slot features several bonus mechanisms that players can unlock, including a progressive free spins system and an advanced train racing mechanism.
Free Spins
When triggering the scatter feature, players start with either 10, 20, or 30 free spins based on their initial scatter count. Each subsequent time they land three more scatters, their current number of free spins is increased by one for each new scatter added to the reel (e.g., from 5 Scatter Symbols: +1 Free Spin). This system rewards players with consistently better returns and progressive increases in winnings.
Train Racing Mechanism
When a player lands an extra-scatter spin on reels during their current round of free spins, it triggers the train racing mechanism. The game freezes time for exactly 15 seconds while displaying an animation that shows which train is faster – red or blue (if both appear). If there’s no clear winner within those exact 15 seconds and a re-played win happens but fails to exceed that specific threshold at least by only .00005ms over the opposing speed, then in this particular case we will see an additional bonus spin as well.
RTP and Volatility
The Royal Express slot offers a return-to-player rate (RTP) of 96.15% when using all paylines. While no specific volatility information is provided for Quickspin’s games generally; given it operates under similar framework settings like numerous other casino-based titles where an average ratio per bet often comes closer around ~80-90%, and if any were available they may potentially approach levels reaching almost as high as 99% depending upon which particular game parameters have chosen beforehand so naturally such isn’t reflected here though certainly within limits stated just now clearly understood thanks.
Betting Range
The betting range for the Royal Express slot extends from €0.20 to €50 per spin, offering flexibility for players with different bankrolls and playstyles. The minimum bet allows new players or those on tight budgets an opportunity to explore the game’s features without breaking the bank, while high rollers can enjoy maximum potential winnings.
Max Win
The max win in the Royal Express slot is capped at 6,000 times the player’s stake per spin.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players navigate the game by spinning reels or using autoplay functionality if preferred. Each symbol that lands on a winning combination will also pay out accordingly according to predefined payout structures displayed below:
- A: €5 – €25
- K: €10 – €50
- Q: €20 – €100
- J: €30 – €150
These amounts increase based upon the number and types of consecutive wins occurring in succession resulting up until they exceed these maximum caps which may reach as high above stated levels when such eventualities emerge.