Extensive Review: Chocolates Slot by Big Time Gaming
Chocolates is an indulgent and fun-filled online slot developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), the creators of some of the most innovative and high-profile slots in the industry. Released in 2020, Chocolates offers players a sweet combination of Megaways mechanics, chocolate-themed visuals, and enticing bonus features. The game brings a unique twist to the Megaways system and invites players to explore a vibrant, candy-coated world while pursuing big wins.
While it may initially appear to be a lighthearted, whimsical game about sweets, Chocolates is more than just eye-candy. The slot offers significant winning potential, especially through its free spins, multipliers, and Wilds, making it appealing to both casual players and high-rollers alike.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into the theme, game mechanics, symbols, features, and payout potential of Chocolates, offering a comprehensive look at what makes this slot stand out.
Theme and Visual Design
Chocolates is, as the name suggests, entirely themed around the concept of chocolate and sweet treats. It presents a mouthwatering visual style, using vibrant colors, playful animations, and a delightful candy-themed atmosphere.
Visuals:
- The reels are set against a colorful background of chocolate bars, candies, and chocolate-covered treats, with bright, pastel colors enhancing the game’s cheerful vibe.
- The symbols in Chocolates are cleverly designed to include an array of chocolate-based treats: various chocolate bars, lollipops, candies, and truffles. The aesthetic is not only appealing but also richly detailed, with realistic textures and delicious-looking designs that immerse players in a candy-coated world.
- Wilds are designed as pieces of gold-wrapped chocolates, adding a luxurious touch to the sweet theme. Meanwhile, the scatter symbol, which is critical to unlocking the game’s bonus features, is a glowing chocolate box that holds the key to unlocking the big rewards.
- The reel grid itself consists of 6 reels, each with between 2 to 7 symbols, and a distinctive layout that changes with every spin due to the Megaways mechanic, leading to a dynamic number of ways to win with each new round.
Animations and Sound Design:
- Animations are smooth and satisfying, with melting chocolate, popping candies, and wild symbols triggering delightful effects. Winning combinations are celebrated with playful, sugary animations, and the candy wrappers unravel when they’re part of a successful combination.
- The soundtrack is light-hearted, featuring a catchy and upbeat melody that complements the candy-filled theme. It’s not overly intrusive but creates an enjoyable atmosphere that’s pleasant to listen to.
- When wilds or bonus features are activated, the sound effects intensify, heightening the excitement. You’ll hear satisfying chocolate crunches when a big win is triggered, adding a tactile and sensory appeal to the slot.
Game Mechanics and Layout
Chocolates utilizes the Megaways mechanic, which was popularized by Big Time Gaming and offers a flexible and engaging way to win. The game’s 6-reel layout can generate between 2 and 7 symbols per reel, with the total number of ways to win fluctuating on every spin.
Megaways Mechanic:
- The Megaways mechanic is what truly sets Chocolates apart from other slots. It allows for up to 117,649 Megaways on each spin, as the number of symbols per reel changes randomly with every spin. This means that every spin offers a unique configuration of the reels, creating an exciting and dynamic playing experience.
- The Megaways system significantly enhances the winning potential, as it offers more chances to land matching symbols across the reels. The thrill of watching the number of potential Megaways change with each spin is one of the key draws of this game.
Paylines and Winning Combinations:
- With the Megaways system in place, the number of ways to win is constantly changing. Instead of fixed paylines, wins are awarded when matching symbols appear on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
- The game features up to 117,649 ways to win, meaning players have a wide range of opportunities to land significant payouts. The shifting number of symbols on each reel ensures that every spin feels different, and that each game session can offer fresh excitement.
Symbols and Payouts
Chocolates offers a variety of sweet symbols, each with its own payout potential. The game’s symbols are divided into low-value and high-value categories, along with special symbols like Wilds and Scatters.
Low-Value Symbols:
- The lower-value symbols are the classic A, K, Q, J, and 10 cards, each designed with a chocolate-inspired twist. While these symbols pay less than the higher-value symbols, they still offer the chance for decent payouts when combined across multiple Megaways.
High-Value Symbols:
- The higher-value symbols are represented by an assortment of delicious chocolates and sweets, such as:
- Chocolate Bars
- Lollipops
- Truffles
- Candy-wrapped Sweets
- These high-value symbols reward players with larger payouts, especially when they appear in large quantities across the reels.
Wild Symbol:
- The Wild symbol in Chocolates is a gold-wrapped chocolate, and it substitutes for all symbols except the scatter symbol. This helps to create winning combinations and increases the frequency of payout opportunities.
- Wilds are a crucial part of the gameplay, especially when they appear on multiple reels, significantly boosting your chances of triggering a win.
Scatter Symbol:
- The scatter symbol is represented by a chocolate box, and landing at least 3 scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the game’s free spins feature. The number of scatter symbols you land directly impacts the number of free spins you are awarded.
Bonus Features
One of the key highlights of Chocolates is its exciting range of bonus features, which add layers of excitement and greatly enhance the potential for big wins. These include free spins, multipliers, and the Chocolates feature, all of which are linked to the slot’s theme and mechanics.
Free Spins Feature:
- The Free Spins feature is triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols (the chocolate box) anywhere on the reels.
- Depending on how many scatters land, you’ll receive:
- 3 scatters = 12 Free Spins
- 4 scatters = 16 Free Spins
- 5 scatters = 20 Free Spins
- 6 scatters = 24 Free Spins
- During the free spins round, the game’s potential for big wins is amplified by multiplying multipliers, which can significantly boost payouts. Additionally, the wilds are more likely to appear, creating additional winning opportunities.
- The free spins can be re-triggered by landing more scatter symbols during the round, extending the potential for big wins even further.
Chocolates Feature:
- The Chocolates feature is a special bonus that activates when Wilds appear on the reels. In this feature, wild symbols have a multiplier attached, which increases with every consecutive wild that lands on the reels.
- As Wilds appear during the free spins or regular spins, their multipliers combine to boost the total payout, leading to larger and more exciting rewards.
Bonus Buy (If Available):
- In some regions or casinos, players may have access to the Bonus Buy feature, which allows them to purchase direct access to the free spins feature. This can be a great way for players to bypass the base game and go straight to the more rewarding rounds, adding a strategic layer for high-stakes players.
Volatility and RTP
Chocolates is a high volatility slot, which means that while the potential for large wins is high, they may come less frequently. The game is geared towards players who enjoy taking risks in exchange for the chance of landing significant payouts.
RTP (Return to Player):
- The RTP for Chocolates is set at 96.5%, which is a solid return for an online slot. Given the game’s high volatility, this percentage provides players with a good theoretical return over time, although actual outcomes will vary.
Strengths of Chocolates
- Megaways Mechanic: The Megaways system offers 117,649 ways to win, providing a high level of excitement and an ever-changing game dynamic.
- Engaging Bonus Features: The free spins, multipliers, and Chocolates feature all work together to create exciting opportunities for big wins.
- Visually Appealing: The chocolate and candy theme is beautifully designed, with vibrant colors and delicious-looking treats that immerse players in the game’s world.
- High Payout Potential: The wild multipliers and free spins with multipliers allow for massive payout potential, especially with the possibility
of re-triggering free spins.
Potential Drawbacks
- High Volatility: The high volatility means long dry spells between wins, which may not appeal to all players, particularly those who prefer more consistent payouts.
- Feature-Dependent: Much of the game’s excitement is tied to triggering the bonus features. If you don’t land free spins or wilds with multipliers, the base game might feel somewhat lackluster.
- Complexity: For players unfamiliar with Megaways slots or the Chocolates feature, there can be a learning curve in understanding the various mechanics.
Conclusion
Chocolates by Big Time Gaming is a visually delightful, feature-packed slot that blends the sweet allure of chocolate with high-reward gameplay mechanics. With its innovative Megaways system, exciting free spins, multipliers, and the unique Chocolates feature, the game delivers both excitement and big win potential.
The high volatility and thrilling bonus features make Chocolates a great option for players who enjoy a little risk with the possibility of huge rewards. While it might not be the game for everyone due to its reliance on bonus features, it is an excellent choice for those seeking an engaging, high-stakes slot with the potential for large payouts.
Overall, Chocolates is a sweet treat that deserves a spin, especially for players who love Megaways slots, whimsical themes, and the potential to win big!