In the world of online slots, few games have managed to capture the attention and imagination of players quite like Microgaming’s "Aviator" bonus game. This thrilling slot has been a staple in many online casinos since its release, drawing in players with its unique theme, captivating design, and lucrative bonus features.
Theme and Design
At first glance, "Aviator" may seem like any other classic here slot machine, but as you delve deeper into the game’s mechanics and features, it reveals itself to be much more than that. The game is centered around a vintage plane, evoking images of adventure and exploration in the skies. The design is sleek and modern, with vibrant colors and intricate details that transport players to a bygone era.
Symbols
The game’s symbols are neatly divided into high-paying, low-paying, and special icons. High-paying symbols include the Aviator himself, the Plane, and several other thematic characters, while lower-paying icons feature standard playing cards (9-A). The special icon is the Scatter, represented by a map with an airplane on it.
Payouts
The payouts in "Aviator" are based on combinations of matching symbols, both horizontally and vertically. As you move up the paytable ladder, rewards become increasingly substantial, making each spin feel more like a mini-adventure than just another chance at winning.
Wilds
In most slots games, Wild icons have one primary function: to substitute for other symbols in forming wins. "Aviator" follows this standard procedure but takes it to new heights by allowing the Aviator himself (the game’s top-paying icon) to replace all symbols except the Scatter when part of a winning combination.
Scatters
While the low-paying card icons can only be triggered by landing multiple instances, the map with an airplane symbol activates the special feature we are here to explore: the bonus round itself! Landing at least three maps anywhere on the screen (even in adjacent reels) is enough to enter this thrilling world of infinite possibilities and big potential wins.
Bonus Features
Here lies one of "Aviator’s" most beloved aspects – its unique "multiplier-accumulation" style bonus feature, which takes place after players hit at least three Maps to trigger the Bonus Game. With each spin following this initial entry point into this bonus round, you see multiple planes take off from an airstrip below; however your task remains constant: merely predict when each respective aircraft is about to reach its target landing altitude (simulated using a randomly generated value displayed above them), as long as it manages higher altitudes than what players had set their wagering expectations beforehand there’s no loss incurred by way of deduction off actual returns – quite fascinating!
In short, during bonus round itself; when you initiate bets on any spin here that involves landing planes onto such platforms at varying heights (each corresponding value associated), should those selected values equate higher than or equal the respective target displayed above them players’ current stakes get immediately increased with probability determined exclusively by result percentage based upon given variables – it truly feels as if time stopped, only this game can continue to progress without end until either all potential altitudes have been used up fully otherwise capped by winning combination limit applied hereunder…
Free Spins
This game, unfortunately, does not offer the traditional free spins feature many of its peers provide; however ‘Aviator’ compensates for it through numerous combinations involving wilds or multipliers resulting within regular paytable wins which naturally enhance rewards – more detailed elaboration will follow below on this matter further down.
RTP and Volatility
According to Microgaming’s official documentation, "Aviator" boasts a respectable RTP (Return To Player) percentage of 96.47%, although given numerous reports suggesting otherwise actual results differ significantly across casinos involved, indicating potential house edge bias present depending service provider selected – still this relatively high rate compares favorably with other competing titles within industry right now; conversely we find Medium-Volatility here offering plenty action throughout session at stake while keeping wins somewhat frequent too without resulting excessive losses commonly seen mid-variance games.
Betting Range
The betting range, unlike some competitors focusing only upon extremes, finds its sweet spot – "Aviator" accommodates users requiring an incredibly low minimum bet of 0.10 (which still gets rewarded for) to extreme enthusiasts betting up towards the ceiling; set maximum is 1 credit with no restriction imposed here on amount spent overall making gameplay enjoyable regardless individual player bankroll management skills level maintained.
Max Win
Each plane passing safely through bonus round carries its potential value as previously mentioned – once reached a player’s stake at any point will see it reflected across final payout made by game – capped officially Microgaming’s documentations indicates 40,000 credit sum total possible with this upper cap placed due technical limitations surrounding random number generation process used hereunder.
Gameplay
Now let us turn towards the core – actual gameplay: Aviator’s innovative mechanics and user-friendly interface blend seamlessly together providing both old-timers and newcomers alike an effortless experience navigating menus, settings options, even features themselves. You get accustomed rather fast, engaging further within its world each round passing by almost as swift breeze above those planes taking flight down runways shown here…