Castaway Online Slot Machine Review
Yes, this is a slot that features a castaway (with the compulsory long beard set upon a somewhat skinny frame). However, this is not the most striking feature of the game. This is the playing cards that cover all of the reels. This Leander slot is actually something of a slot and poker hybrid, with the standard wins paid when landing the same symbol a number of times in a row, as well as a poker based side bet and feature.
As you might imagine at a slot with playing cards making up all of the symbols, the graphics at this game are not much to write home about, however stunning graphics are not a necessity here. The playing cards do actually fit the theme of the slot as they are slightly faded, looking like they have been washed up to shore after a ship wreck. The castaway himself sits to the left of the reels, with his big hair, red nose and green underpants, occasionally scratching – this giving the slot an element of humour. All the while the game is accompanied by a suitable steel-drums background sound.
You can choose to turn on the side bet at this slot which will accompany each spin and there are two main features – one where you’ll gain free spins and the other where you’ll play poker.
Set up and Play for Castaway
Although looking very different to a standard slot, this is basically a 5 reel slot with 30 win lines. You can choose to play as many or as few of the win lines as you’d like, however you’ll need to play all 30 lines if you want to enjoy the side bet option alongside the slot (the side bet costs 10x your coin amount).
The Castaway himself is the wild in the game. He appears on the reels looking slightly manic with a ring around his neck.
Wins are paid when landing three or more of any symbol from left to right on a win line starting with the leftmost reel, although you’ll also receive a win for landing just two Kings, Queens or Jacks. The King pays a top prize of 500x your coin amount if gaining 5 in a row, the Queen 400x and the Jack 300x. The prizes continue to decrease as the values of the cards lessen.
The standard symbols comprise of the King all the way down to a two, whilst an Ace acts as the scatter symbol in the game. When you land this scatter symbol between 3 and 7 times on the reels (it can be stacked) you’ll be taken to the bonus features.
Castaway Features
The ‘Spin n’ poker’ side bet feature sees two cards appear in a window at the top of the slot before the spin takes place and are joined by a further three cards after the spin. If you have a pair of Jacks or better you’ll win, with the biggest wins reserved for hands like royal flushes (5000x) and four of a kind (1000x).
Landing the Ace scatter symbol takes you to a screen where you’ll choose one of two bottles (each containing a message). One will take you to the free spins round, the other to the ‘Multi-hand Infinite Bonus round’.
The free spins round sees you given a minimum of 10 free spins (you’ll gain more the greater amount of scatter symbols you land, up to a maximum of 30 free spins). After each spin a number of fish will leap out of the water and each will turn a symbol wild (on reels 2 ,3 and 4 only), making for more wins.
The Multi-hand Infinite bonus round sees you being given between 3 and 7 two-card hands (once again depending on the number of scatter symbols hit). These hands will be joined by five other cards and you’ll win a prize if you gain a pair or more, with the prizes increasing based upon the value of the hand. Each time a hand hits two pairs or more, that hand will continue to another round where you’ll be dealt another five cards. Keep hitting two pairs or more and you’ll continue in this round.
Castaway Slot – Conclusion
It has to be said that this is a very original slot by Leander. It’s a great mix of slots and poker and fans of both will enjoy the game. At first sight this slot may not immediately grab your attention, but after playing for a while you’ll like it, especially if playing the side bet too, which keeps you busier than usual! Overall this is a slot I particularly enjoyed, so if you want something a little different to the norm, the Castaway slot is highly recommended.
