Extensive Review of Raven Rising by Quickspin
Raven Rising is an exciting and atmospheric online slot game developed by Quickspin, a renowned game studio known for its high-quality and visually stunning slots. Released in 2021, this slot takes players on a mysterious journey through the wilderness, centered around the power and symbolism of ravens. With a rich mythological theme, dynamic visuals, and exciting gameplay features, Raven Rising delivers a highly immersive experience.
The game stands out not just for its striking graphics and theme but also for its innovative features and high volatility, which appeal to players looking for big wins. In this review, we will explore all the details about the game’s mechanics, features, payout potential, and overall experience.
Game Overview
- Developer: Quickspin
- Release Date: 2021
- Game Type: Video Slot
- Theme: Mythology, Fantasy, Ravens
- Reels: 5 reels
- Rows: 4 rows
- Paylines: 40 paylines
- RTP (Return to Player): 96.22%
- Volatility: High
- Min Bet: €0.20
- Max Bet: €100
- Max Win: 10,000x your stake
- Bonus Features: Free Spins, Wilds, Expanding Symbols, Randomly Triggered Features
Theme and Visuals
Theme: Ravens and Mythology
Raven Rising draws heavily from mythological themes, particularly focusing on the symbolism of ravens, which are often associated with mysticism, wisdom, and omens in various cultures. The game’s atmospheric theme is enhanced by a dark and eerie setting, evoking a sense of ancient myths and secrets waiting to be uncovered.
- Ravens as Symbols: In the game, the raven is the central figure, and its symbolism is represented through various symbols, such as raven feathers, raven skulls, and the raven itself as a high-paying symbol. Ravens, in many cultures, are seen as messengers between the realms, and this theme is carried throughout the game’s visuals and features.
- Background and Design: The reels are set against a mysterious forest backdrop, with dark skies and fog drifting through the trees. The environment has a gothic atmosphere, with intricate details and an almost otherworldly feel. The backdrop is further enhanced by whispering winds and the occasional call of a raven, setting the tone for an immersive adventure.
- Symbols and Animation: The high-paying symbols are raven-themed, including ravens themselves, ancient runes, and mystical feathers, each adding depth to the game’s mythology-based design. Lower-paying symbols consist of classic card symbols, but even these are presented with a twist, with each card symbol featuring intricate designs that match the game’s overall theme.
- Sound Design: The soundtrack in Raven Rising is hauntingly atmospheric, with whispering winds, cawing ravens, and deep, dark musical tones that intensify the sense of mystery. The sounds heighten the suspense, especially during bonus features, making the gameplay feel more engaging and immersive.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
Base Game Mechanics
Raven Rising is built on a traditional 5×4 reel setup with 40 paylines that pay from left to right. The aim of the game is to land matching symbols on these paylines, starting from the leftmost reel. The wild symbols help complete winning combinations by substituting for other symbols (except the scatter), while the scatter symbols trigger the main bonus features.
Wild Symbols
The wild symbols in Raven Rising are represented by the raven’s wings. Wilds can substitute for all symbols except scatters, helping to form winning combinations on the reels. Wilds can appear in both the base game and bonus features, boosting the chances of hitting significant wins, especially in the more volatile parts of the game.
Scatter Symbols and Free Spins
The scatter symbols are represented by ancient rune stones, which can trigger the Free Spins feature. To activate the free spins, players need to land three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. The number of scatters determines how many free spins you will receive, as outlined below:
- 3 Scatters: 10 Free Spins
- 4 Scatters: 12 Free Spins
- 5 Scatters: 15 Free Spins
During the Free Spins round, the game enters a higher variance state, where more significant wins can be achieved due to enhanced wilds and the potential for expanding symbols. The free spins feature also has the possibility of being re-triggered, adding to the excitement.
Expanding Symbols
One of the standout features of Raven Rising is the Expanding Symbols feature that is present during the Free Spins round. When the feature is activated, one of the regular symbols is chosen to become an Expanding Symbol. This symbol will expand to cover the entire reel, and if it lands in multiple positions, it can significantly increase the payout potential for that spin.
Expanding symbols can dramatically boost your chances of landing big wins, especially when high-paying symbols like ravens expand to cover the reels. This adds an element of strategy and excitement as you look out for the Expanding Symbol to increase your wins.
Randomly Triggered Features
Raven Rising also includes a set of randomly triggered features that can surprise players and add an extra layer of excitement to the base game. These features occur randomly and can result in various benefits, such as:
- Wild Multipliers: Wilds may appear with a multiplier, boosting the payout of winning combinations that they help form.
- Mystery Symbols: The mystery symbols can transform into matching symbols, giving the player a chance for a more significant win.
- Stacked Wilds: Wilds may appear stacked on the reels, significantly improving the chances of hitting multiple winning combinations in one spin.
These random features keep the game dynamic and engaging, as they can significantly increase win potential during regular spins and enhance the excitement during the Free Spins round.
Payouts and Paytable
- Low-Paying Symbols: The low-paying symbols in Raven Rising are represented by traditional card symbols (A, K, Q, J, and 10), though they are given a more mystical design to fit the theme. These symbols offer smaller payouts, but they can still contribute to winning combinations.
- High-Paying Symbols: The high-paying symbols are the raven-themed icons, including a raven symbol, raven feathers, and mystical runes. These symbols can deliver higher payouts when landed in winning combinations.
- Wilds: The wild symbol is one of the most valuable in the game, substituting for all other symbols (except scatter) to form winning combinations. Wilds also appear more frequently during the Free Spins feature.
- Scatters: The scatter symbols are crucial for unlocking the Free Spins feature, which is where the biggest rewards lie. Players need at least three scatters to trigger the bonus round.
The maximum win potential in Raven Rising is 10,000x your stake, which is a highly enticing payout for players willing to take on the game’s high volatility. This max win is achievable through the Expanding Symbols and wild multipliers in the Free Spins feature.
RTP and Volatility
- RTP (Return to Player): The RTP of 96.22% is standard for most online slots, though slightly on the lower end of the spectrum for high volatility games. This percentage reflects the expected payout over a large number of spins and ensures that the game is competitive compared to other slots in the market.
- Volatility: Raven Rising has high volatility, which means that while wins may not come as frequently, they have the potential to be large when they do. This high volatility makes the game appealing to players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay and are looking for those big, exciting wins.
Max Win Potential
The maximum win in Raven Rising is 10,000x your stake, which is the target for players chasing those monumental payouts. With expanding symbols, wild multipliers, and the high volatility of the game, this is an achievable goal during the Free Spins round.
Mobile Compatibility
Raven Rising is fully optimized for mobile play, offering a seamless experience on both iOS and Android devices. The visuals, animations, and gameplay are just as crisp and engaging on smaller screens as on desktop, making it accessible to players who prefer to play on the go. The touchscreen controls are intuitive, and the game adapts well to various mobile screen sizes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
Raven Rising by Quickspin is an incredibly engaging and visually striking online slot game that combines a mythological theme, dynamic features, and the potential for large wins. With its high volatility, expanding symbols, random features, and the opportunity to trigger free spins with sticky multipliers, the game offers both casual fun and big win potential.
The atmospheric graphics and haunting sound design immerse players in a dark, mythical world where ravens reign supreme. The max win potential of 10,000x your stake and the added excitement of random features and expanding symbols make Raven Rising a thrilling ride for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, mythology, or high-volatility slots, Raven Rising offers something for everyone, with an RTP of 96.22%, high win potential, and an immersive gameplay experience. If you enjoy exciting features and a captivating theme, Raven Rising is definitely worth checking out.