We have seen slots inspired by pirates as well as slots that feature lobsters. How about bringing a lobster pirate to the reels? That’s exactly what NetEnt has done with its 2021 release called Reef Raider. The slot uses a 7x7 grid with Cluster Pays mechanics and takes you to a reef where you will join a pirate crab to win up to 8,500x the bet in a single spin. The game is packed with bonus features, including up to 50x multipliers and free spins with mystery symbols.
The action takes place underwater, where you will find the pirate lobster and plenty of treasure ready to be looted. The crab stands on the left-hand side of the paying area and resembles Captain Hook, with one of his claws replaced by a hook. The reels are home to high-paying symbols depicted as jewels and low-value icons represented by various shells. The game also features several special symbols, including two different Wilds we will explain later in the review.
The Reef Raider slot supports a wide betting range, starting at $0.20 only and going all the way up to $100 per spin. Spin the reels manually or simply activate up to 1,000 automatic spins and enjoy the show. You have to match at least 5 symbols in a cluster to get paid.
Whenever you create a win, the Avalanche feature comes into play and replaces winning icons with new ones. Besides, a winning cluster will create Clam Wild that can help you complete more winning clusters. There is also Coin Wild added to the grid when the Random Wilds or Cannon Blast feature trigger. On every spin, you can land a Multiplier symbol on an adjacent position to the winning cluster horizontally or vertically, and they will boost your win up to 50x.
Around the reel set, you will notice a trail. It is called the Treasure Trail Meter. To fill it, you have to land at least 3 avalanche wins in a row. So, after 3 avalanche wins, the Anchor Drop feature triggers to select up to 3 low-value symbols at random and remove them from the grid. You are granted another avalanche afterwards.
Land 6 avalanche wins in succession, and the Random Wilds feature unlocks, adding between 4 and 8 Coin Wilds to the reels. They can replace all symbols except for Multipliers. After 9 avalanche wins, you will unlock the Mystery Chest feature. Mystery symbols will replace up to 16 icons and reveal matching ones. Hit 12 avalanche wins in a row as the Cannon Blast feature will remove one symbol from the grid, along with all other icons on that row and column.
Finally, to trigger free spins, you have to land 15 consecutive avalanche wins and fill the Treasure Trail Meter. You are granted 9 free spins, and every 3 charged bars gaward 2 more free spins. The Mystery Overlay feature is in play during free games. One Mystery symbol will be placed in the central position of the grid with 4 more icons added vertically and/or horizontally. They will transform into matching symbols on each free spin to help you complete more wins and remain in their positions for the duration of the feature. You can benefit from base game extras during free spins, and if you fill 15 bars on the Treasure Train Meter, you will get 1 extra free spin.
A lot is going on in this NetEnt title, so an enjoyable gaming experience is granted. Reef Raider is a medium volatility slot machine with an RTP of 96.02% and 8,500x the bet up for grabs. Make sure to give it a try.
