Deep Blue Slot
If there is one thing you could not argue with for this slot, it is the ‘blue’ part. I’m not sure there are any online slots which have managed to be any bluer than Deep Blue HD from Viaden Gaming. The theme is underwater - a tried and trusted setting – and the game has detailed and beautifully drawn symbols compared to others by this up and coming software house. The key reasons to play are the potential big line win (you can win up to 9000 coins on a line during regular play), and the free spins bonus game which triples those wins –including the top prize.
The frame of this slot looks amazing, only the fact that it is static and not animated stop it from being up there with the best underwater titles. The top of the reels is the underneath of the surface of the sea, with light beams shining through and jellyfish floating by. The reels are transparent, with bubbles behind, and the symbols a mix of sea creatures. You’ll find dolphins, pearls, sea horses, crabs and different coloured fish. Just in case things were looking like they were about to stray away from blue too much, there are plenty of blue playing card symbols too.
In the background a chilled tune plays, which reminds me of a 1980’s power ballad without any lyrics. This is not too bad, though it did get a bit much after a while. There are computer beeps and tunes layered on top while you play.
With only the one free spins bonus feature, it is just as well that you’ll get a 3x multiplier on all wins.
Setup and Play for Deep Blue
This game uses the standard Viaden 9 line setup, and you can choose how many of those win-lines you wish to play. Stakes start at 10c per line or 90c per spin for the full set, with a max spin amount of $4.50c. You can choose auto spin, gamble your wins on the turn of a card (a bubble appears next to the spin button when you get a win which says ‘gamble’), you can also speed up the game and adjust the music and sounds via the settings tab.
Like all Viaden slots, there is one combination of symbols which pays a win way bigger than the rest. This keeps the game interesting – even when nothing much is happening you never know when a big win will hit. In this game you’ll want to land 5 dolphins, this pays a large 9000 coins (remember this is 3x during the free spins). You get paid from just 2 of these symbols, 10 coins for 2, 250 coins for 3 and 2500 coins for 4 on a line. Dolphin symbols have one more quality, they are wild – substituting for any of the regular (non-scatter) symbols and any win that they become a part of is doubled.
Regular symbol prizes are topped by the crab and sea horse. These are both worth 750 coins for 5 on a line, and pay from just 2. Next comes the purple jellyfish, which is worth 400 for 5, followed by the tropical fish at 250. The playing cards are in their usual supporting role, paying up to 125 for 5 on a line.
Pearls are the scatter and bonus symbol for this game. This symbol is worth a lot of money when you get 5 on the reels – up to 500x your total bet. You’ll get 20x that bet for 4, 5x for 3 and 2x for 2. With 3+ of the pearls, you will also trigger the free spins game.
Deep Blue – Free Spins Round
If you are playing on auto-play, it can be hard to notice that the free spins got started. The only change is that the logo on top of the reels turns into a count-down for your spins. You get 15 to start. And these can be retriggered. The best thing about this bonus round is that all wins are tripled; this can make a big difference – especially if you are lucky enough to hit the biggest prizes.
Deep Blue – Conclusion
There is no denying that this slot is blue – and that the graphics are a cut above many of the other underwater themed slots you will find online. I enjoyed the smooth game play and tolerated the background music. Like many Viaden slots, it could benefit from 1 more feature on top of the free spins round. A pick-em game or maybe an expanding wild would add a lot to an otherwise attractive but ordinary game. That big win potential should ensure that this slot has its fans – one to check out for yourself soon!