Rise of the Phoenix Slot
In mythology, the Phoenix was a powerful bird that would die in a shower of flames before being reborn. The image appears in a lot of mythologies – and a successful Harry Potter book, of course. Online slot gamblers always strive to find their bankrolls being reborn after a spectacular death, too. But hopefully in Blueprint Gaming's new slot, Rise of the Phoenix, the wins will be even more spectacular.
Available now on desktop or tablet, the Rise of the Phoenix video slot looks and feels like an old-school game. There are only three reels and three rows, like all the best classic slots. There are 27 paylines crisscrossing over the reels, too.
But look a little closer, and you will notice a fun unique feature: the set of reels can move back and forth across the screen, picking up new wilds and symbols on the way. With added multipliers, a Ladder Gamble feature, and some big jackpots, could Rise of the Phoenix be the shifting reel classic slot for you? Let's take a closer look.
Unique Slot Gameplay on 3x3 Reels
For a varied range of online slots, you needn't look any further than UK software developer Blueprint Gaming. Blueprint Gaming produces slots under its own banner as well as titles for other providers. Its range of games can be pretty diverse, too. Players can enjoy branded video slots like Bejeweled 2 and Casper's Mystery Mirror, or fun games with cute characters like Chuzzle and Harry Trotter the Pig Wizard.
What sets Blueprint apart is the bonus features you can find in its games. Bejeweled 2 has a bonus round based on the famous puzzle game app. Meanwhile, Chuzzle features a free spins round with cascading reels.
The free Rise of the Phoenix slot machine also has a special take on a tried-and-tested game feature. Where some games have shifting wilds that move across the reels after a spin, Rise of the Phoenix features an entire set of reels that does the same thing.
The first thing you’ll notice when you open Rise of the Phoenix is the booming music. Blueprint has really turned up the bass on this one, with moody sound effects pumping out of the speakers as you play. The game pays 27 ways across three reels and three rows. Coins begin at 0.25, but it is possible to gamble 200.00 on every spin. You can also pay 5x your total stake for an additional gamble feature.
Gamble Your Win and Earn Free Spins
Rise of the Phoenix plays 27 ways. That means you will earn real cash just by landing matching symbols on three adjacent reels in any position. The regular payouts in the game are pretty poor, but winnings can be improved upon via sticky wilds and the special bonus.
There are six gems to look out for. The green and orange precious stones both pay 0.2x your stake if you hit three of a kind. The wins improve slightly by hitting three purple gems (0.5x) and the green stone (1x). The blue rock (2x your stake) and red rock (5x) complete the base game wins. Also watch out for the Phoenix wild. Not only will the bird award players a prize worth 5x their stake, but it will remain sticky for the next spin.
It is possible to increase your winnings through the Ladder Gamble feature. After a winning spin, you can play the game. Spin the special pointer, and if it lands in the yellow or red areas, you can claim a win multiplier worth up to 40x. Alternatively, you can bag yourself 1 to 8 free spins if your pointer lands in the yellow or blue segments.
Any Win Triggers the Rise of the Phoenix
The base wins in Rise of the Phoenix are quite poor. However, you can improve them with a prize multiplier and a free respin.
After any winning spin, the whole 3x3 reel set will shift one reel to the right. You will also win a 2x multiplier on your win. If you hit more winning spins, the reels continue to move to the right, collecting multipliers as they go. It is possible to earn a top multiplier worth 5x on any win you make. Following a losing spin, the set of reels returns to its original place on the left side of the screen.
Hit the Shifting Wilds in NetEnt's Robin Hood
Reels and symbols moving are nothing new to online slots, of course. Plenty of game developers have slots now where symbols can shift to form new combinations.
NetEnt's excellent Robin Hood: Shifting Riches is a slot with where the reels shift. After any winning base game spin, the five reels will move one space to the right. A new reel slots in on the leftmost side and will respin. A prize multiplier is also attached to any wins the player receives. The multiplier for consecutive winners moves from 1x to 2x, 3x, and 5x.
It is also possible to collect money bag symbols and trigger a free spins bonus game. Like a lot of NetEnt slots, Robin Hood: Shifting Riches is volatile, but the shifting reels element makes it a fun game to play.
An Epic 3-Reel Slot With a Difference
If you are used to classic slots or 3-reel online gambling slots, you will know that there is often little in the way of bonus action. But just because the Rise of the Phoenix video slot only has three reels and 27 paylines, it doesn't mean it holds back on the added extras. The shifting reels feature is pretty unique, and we enjoyed the sticky wilds too. While the additional features in the game can make it volatile, it's worth persevering with. We also recommend making use of the Ladder Gamble feature to help boost your regular base wins.
Rise of the Phoenix can be played on mobile or desktop, but the tablet version seemed to work best for us. Give the game a play for free today, and see if your bankroll can be resurrected from the ashes.