Ice Cave Slot Machine
The ice world is something else. While it’s easy to get distracted by the cute animals it provides, you shouldn’t forget just how magnificent the setting is in itself. And you know, how cold it is over there. So is Ice Cave by Playtech as cool it gets or will it leave you out in the cold?
Ice to See You, to See You Ice
It begins not with a short video but a fixed screen. It explains the difference between its ordinary Wildcard and its special Wildcard. It also gives instructions on what the Bet Feature does.
All this information is available within the game, but it will be useful to some people to see it before you start. Especially as they can read it on their own terms, and with a non-distracting black background. You can remove the intro too if you like.
The music carries over from the introduction. It’s certainly fitting for the game’s theme. Its crystal sounding echo is quite chilling. It’s easy to mute or reduce the volume on screen.
The background image is a neat one of the cave, with the icicles different shades of blue. The 5 reels are opaque and relatively small so you can see the detail in the icicles. The name of the game is in capital letters in ice blocks with the differing numbers of pay lines you are playing on either side.
Norse Code
Rather oddly, the way to change the setting for game play is actually on the left of the screen through a small arrow button. There aren’t too many different options though. Not least on the pay lines, as you can only play for either 10 or 20. Per line, you can bet 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50 or 1.00, which is less than plenty of games offer.
You can play on a Turbo speed, which is an advantage for the speedier player. Holding down on the spin button gives you the opportunity to play on automatic. The options go up in 10s up to 90, as well as 99 or Until Feature. Although the Feature Bonus will not involve any input or decision making, it is nice to be able to see it properly.
The symbols are based on Nordic theology, so you may be curious to look some of them up. It would have been nice to have that theme reflected in the title. Rather unusually, the Pay table only shows the most valuable symbols, though admittedly their values aren’t too high. The Norse god is worth a maximum of 250 credits for 5 of a kind, with a Valkyrie (a female god who decides who lives or dies on the battlefield) and the sinister-looking wolf Fenrir share a highest value of 175. A raven and a Viking ship pay up to 75. There are 4 other letter symbols but you won’t know what they offer.
It Does FEATURE a Bonus
This game is unusual in that it has two wildcards. As referenced in the introduction (and again explained in the Help section), there are two Wildcards.
The Ice Wildcard multiplies any line wins which it is involved in by x3. Above the spin button you’ll have noticed a Feature Bet button which can either be on or off. If you do tap it on, it increases the total bet by x1.5, as well as making the ice Wildcard appear on reel 5, to go along with reels 3 and 4. It is important to note that this does not increase pay outs from symbol wins, as the line bet does not change.
These Ice Wildcards will freeze in the position unless you turn the Feature Bet on/off, increase the line bet or change the bet amount. You are warned of what will happen if you decide to make a change and asked to confirm. The other way it unfreezes is a bit more spectacular.
The Hammer Wild, presumably Thor’s, comes along on reel 2. Any line wins are multiplied x3. While there aren’t any other Scatters or Free Games, it does mean that Wildcards replace everything.
Be a Cave Dweller
The lack of free spins and a bonus game where you can actively participate will disappoint some purists but this game still has plenty to offer.
As well as having a cool Nordic mythology theme, the game play is different and Wildcard bonuses unique. Being a cave dweller here wouldn’t be so bad.
