Review: Release the Bison by Pragmatic Play
Release the Bison, a slot by Pragmatic Play, takes players on a thrilling journey to the vast prairies of North America, where majestic bisons roam free. This visually stunning game combines a wilderness theme with engaging gameplay mechanics, offering a rich gaming experience with substantial winning potential. With its innovative features, captivating graphics, and immersive soundtrack, Release the Bison stands out as one of Pragmatic Play’s more adventurous and dynamic slots. Here’s an extensive review covering its design, gameplay, features, and overall appeal.
Theme and Visuals
The theme of Release the Bison revolves around the untamed beauty of the wild, emphasizing the strength and grandeur of the American bison. Pragmatic Play has gone the extra mile to create a slot that not only looks good but also fully immerses players in its wilderness theme.
- Backdrop and Graphics: The reels are set against a dramatic prairie landscape at sunset, with rolling plains, rugged mountains, and a fiery orange sky. The graphics are vivid and detailed, showcasing Pragmatic Play’s commitment to high-quality visuals. Subtle animations, like swaying grass and roaming animals in the background, add to the immersive experience.
- Symbols:
- High-value symbols: The bison is the highest-paying symbol, followed by a bald eagle, a wolf, a bear, and a wildcat.
- Low-value symbols: Playing card icons (10, J, Q, K, A) are designed with a rustic touch to complement the theme.
- Special symbols:
- The bison wild substitutes for all other symbols except the scatter.
- The golden prairie scatter triggers the Free Spins Round.
- Sound Design: The soundtrack features an atmospheric mix of tribal drum beats, pan flutes, and ambient sounds of nature. This immersive audio design enhances the wild, untamed vibe of the game, while celebratory fanfares punctuate big wins and feature triggers.
Gameplay Mechanics
Release the Bison utilizes a 6-reel, 4-row layout with 4,096 ways to win, offering players ample opportunities to land winning combinations. Pragmatic Play has ensured the gameplay remains accessible and engaging for all types of players.
Core Gameplay Elements:
- All Ways Pay:
- Instead of traditional paylines, wins are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of position.
- Betting Range:
- The game accommodates a wide range of players, with bets starting at a low minimum and scaling up significantly for high rollers.
- Volatility:
- Release the Bison is a high-volatility slot, meaning wins may be less frequent but are often larger when they occur.
- RTP (Return to Player):
- The slot offers an RTP of 96.54%, which is competitive and ensures fair returns over extended play sessions.
Bonus Features
The highlight of Release the Bison lies in its bonus features, which are designed to maximize winning potential and keep the gameplay exciting.
1. Bison Wild Multipliers:
- The bison wild can appear on any reel and substitutes for all symbols except the scatter.
- Wilds often come with attached multipliers ranging from 2x to 5x, which are applied to winning combinations.
- If multiple wild multipliers appear in a single spin, their values are multiplied together, leading to massive payouts.
2. Free Spins Round:
- Landing three or more golden prairie scatter symbols triggers the Free Spins Round:
- 3 scatters: 10 free spins
- 4 scatters: 15 free spins
- 5 scatters: 20 free spins
- 6 scatters: 25 free spins
- During the Free Spins Round:
- Wild multipliers appear more frequently.
- A progressive win multiplier is introduced, starting at 1x and increasing by 1x after every winning spin. This multiplier applies to all subsequent wins during the feature.
- Additional free spins can be retriggered by landing two or more scatters during the round.
3. Bison Stampede Feature:
- This randomly triggered feature occurs during the base game. A herd of bisons charges across the reels, adding multiple wilds or high-value symbols, significantly boosting the chances of a big win.
4. Bonus Buy Option:
- For players who want instant access to the Free Spins Round, the Bonus Buy Feature allows entry for 100x the current bet, bypassing the need to land scatter symbols naturally.
Payout Potential
Release the Bison offers a maximum win of 12,000x the player’s bet, making it one of Pragmatic Play’s higher-paying slots. The Free Spins Round, with its progressive win multiplier and frequent wild multipliers, provides the best opportunity for substantial payouts. The Bison Stampede feature also enhances the potential for significant wins in the base game.
User Experience
Pragmatic Play has ensured that Release the Bison is fully optimized for play on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. The user interface is intuitive, with clear controls for adjusting bets, enabling autoplay, and accessing the paytable.
The game’s fast loading times and seamless performance contribute to a smooth and enjoyable user experience. The combination of high-quality visuals, engaging features, and dynamic gameplay ensures players remain entertained throughout their session.
Strengths
- Immersive Theme and Graphics:
- The wild prairie theme is beautifully executed, with stunning visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack that transport players into the wilderness.
- Dynamic Bonus Features:
- The Free Spins Round with progressive multipliers and the Bison Stampede feature keep the gameplay exciting and rewarding.
- High Payout Potential:
- With a maximum win of 12,000x the bet, the slot offers substantial rewards for lucky players.
- Accessible Gameplay:
- The all-ways-pay mechanic and straightforward features make the game suitable for both beginners and seasoned slot enthusiasts.
- Broad Betting Range:
- The flexible betting options cater to a wide range of players, from casual gamers to high rollers.
Areas for Improvement
- High Volatility:
- The high volatility may not appeal to players who prefer frequent, smaller wins or those with limited bankrolls.
- Repetitive Base Game:
- Despite the Bison Stampede feature, the base game can feel repetitive between bonus feature triggers.
- Familiar Features:
- While well-executed, the features follow familiar patterns seen in other Pragmatic Play slots, potentially lacking innovation for seasoned players.
Final Verdict
Release the Bison by Pragmatic Play is an impressive slot that combines stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and rewarding bonus features. Its immersive theme, dynamic mechanics, and high payout potential make it a standout choice for fans of wildlife-themed slots and players seeking an adventure with substantial rewards. While its high volatility might not suit everyone, those willing to embrace the risk will find plenty of excitement and opportunities for big wins.
Whether you’re a fan of Pragmatic Play’s previous slots or simply looking for a game with thrilling features and a majestic theme, Release the Bison is well worth a spin.
Rating: 4.7/5