Ice Fishing is a casino slot machine developed by the renowned game studio, NetEnt. Released in 2017, this captivating game has been gaining popularity among players worldwide for its unique theme and engaging gameplay mechanics. In this review, we will delve into the various aspects of Ice icefishing game Fishing to help readers understand what makes it an exciting experience.
Theme
Ice Fishing is a winter-themed slot machine that takes inspiration from the popular outdoor activity in Scandinavian countries. The game’s backdrop features a serene frozen lake surrounded by trees and snow-covered hills, creating a peaceful atmosphere. As players immerse themselves in this frosty world, they are introduced to various symbols related to ice fishing, such as lures, rods, fish, and even an angler’s net.
Design
The Ice Fishing game boasts a modern design that is both visually appealing and intuitive to navigate. The reels are arranged in a 5×3 grid format with nine paylines, providing players with plenty of opportunities for wins. Each reel contains a series of high-quality symbols that match the theme perfectly. Some notable symbols include:
- Low-value symbols: Ace (A), King (K), Queen (Q), Jack (J)
- High-value symbols:
- Red Lure
- Blue Lure
- Rod with Fish Hook
Symbols
In addition to the above-mentioned symbols, Ice Fishing introduces a unique Wild symbol. The Wild icon is represented by an image of a large fish and serves as a substitute for all regular symbols in winning combinations.
Payouts
The payouts in Ice Fishing are divided into three categories: Low-value wins (A-J), Medium-value wins (Red Lure, Blue Lure), and High-value wins (Rod with Fish Hook). The game’s paytable shows the potential earnings for each symbol combination. For example:
- Five of a kind Aces pays 100 coins
- Three Red Lures in a row pays 200 coins
Wilds
As mentioned earlier, the Wild icon replaces all regular symbols to form winning combinations. This feature can significantly boost players’ chances of winning.
Scatters
Ice Fishing features two types of scatters: Free Spins and Bonus Scatters.
- Free Spins Scatter : Three or more Free Spin Scatters anywhere on the reels triggers 7 free spins.
- Bonus Scatter : One Bonus Scatter symbol is enough to activate a bonus game. The player can choose one out of four options:
- Pick a Fish : Select from three lures and catch a fish worth up to x500, x1500 or x3000.
Bonus Features
Ice Fishing offers two main bonus features:
- Free Spins Bonus: After each round ends (not necessarily when you get the three Free Spin scatters), some reels become sticky. This might trigger more free spins and higher chances of winning.
- Pick-a-Fish Bonus : Choose one fish from four available options, with potential rewards up to 3000 times your initial stake.
Free Spins
Ice Fishing’s Free Spins feature awards players with a set number of rounds, during which the reels become sticky. This can result in substantial wins and creates an engaging experience for players.
RTP (Return-to-Player)
The Ice Fishing slot machine has a Return to Player (RTP) percentage of 96%. While this rate may vary depending on factors such as gaming jurisdiction and wager amounts, it gives players some idea about the potential long-term payback.
Volatility
Ice Fishing’s volatility level is categorized as high. This means that although large wins are possible, they occur less frequently compared to other slot machines with lower volatility ratings.
Betting Range
Players can bet between 0.01 and 100 coins per spin, providing a relatively wide betting range for various player preferences.
Max Win
The maximum potential payout in Ice Fishing is capped at x15000, which offers an attractive reward possibility but also signifies the game’s high-risk nature.
Gameplay
Ice Fishing features simple yet engaging gameplay. With each new round starting from a standard 9-payline configuration and no progressive multipliers or accumulator bonuses to boost payouts on subsequent plays within a bonus session (but does have an extra "bonus chance" feature), this can feel quite predictable compared to more complex machines with added mechanics.
Mobile Play
The Ice Fishing slot machine is fully compatible with mobile devices, including both iOS and Android platforms. Players can seamlessly transition between PC and handheld play without any loss of features or functionality.
Player Experience
Ice Fishing has the potential to provide a unique and captivating experience for players who enjoy theme-based games. The immersive winter atmosphere paired with an engaging game mechanic should keep players entertained throughout their gaming session.
Overall Analysis
In conclusion, Ice Fishing offers an intriguing blend of design elements, bonus features, and payouts that appeal to both casual and experienced gamblers alike. Despite some limitations on large prizes or extra rewards offered for certain bet selections in the Free Spins game mode compared with other slots which have higher potential progressive jackpot wins but this title’s clarity surrounding free play winnings remains high value as long-term paybacks tend toward average returns close enough to give players a clear idea of their probability rate without losing too much when you don’t score an overall win after a dozen rounds (with low variance rates at least)