Introduction
Lion Gems: Hold and Win is an online slots game developed by Pragmatic Play, a popular gaming software provider in the iGaming industry. The game offers a unique blend of classic slot machine mechanics with modern features such as hold-and-win mechanics, free spins, and high-definition graphics. In this review, we will delve into every aspect of Lion Gems: Hold and Win to provide an in-depth analysis of its gameplay.
Theme, Setting, and Visual Design
The game is Lion Gems: Hold and Win set against the backdrop of a lush jungle filled with ancient temples and exotic wildlife. The visuals are stunning, featuring vibrant colors and detailed animations that bring the jungle atmosphere to life. The game’s logo, Lion Gems: Hold and Win, takes center stage on the reels, surrounded by golden frames adorned with gemstones.
The icons used in the game are inspired by African culture and feature various animal symbols such as lions, tigers, and leopards. Additionally, there are traditional gems like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires that add a touch of elegance to the gameplay experience. The animations and sound effects are equally impressive, creating an immersive environment for players.
Symbols, Animations, and Sound Design
The game features a mix of low-paying symbols such as 9s through Aces, along with high-paying icons like lions, tigers, leopards, and various gemstones. Each symbol has its own unique animation sequence when landing on the reels, which adds to the overall excitement.
The animations are smooth, well-choreographed, and visually appealing, creating a seamless gameplay experience. The game’s sound design is equally impressive, with realistic jungle sounds like chirping birds, buzzing insects, and gentle waterfalls in the background.
Reels, Paylines, or Grid Mechanics
Lion Gems: Hold and Win features 5 reels, each spinning independently of one another. The game has a fixed number of paylines set at 20 lines, which can be adjusted using the "Lines" control on the settings menu. Each reel is divided into four rows, resulting in a total of 40 symbols displayed per spin.
The grid-based mechanics allow for multiple combinations to form winning patterns across adjacent reels. The game features a unique cascading mechanic where consecutive wins trigger further free spins and rewards.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Flow
Players can start by adjusting the bet size using the "Bet" control, which allows for wagers ranging from €0.20 to €100 per spin. Each round is initiated when the player clicks on the ‘Spin’ button or uses an Autoplay feature up to 1,000 times.
The core gameplay revolves around matching symbols across adjacent reels in a standard winning combination of at least three icons appearing horizontally, diagonally, or vertically.
Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols, and Special Icons
Lion Gems: Hold and Win features two types of wild symbols:
- Golden Lion : This symbol replaces any icon on the reels to create winning combinations. It is also a high-paying symbol that pays out x40 when landing five in a row.
- Emerald Cat : As the only scatter, it triggers 15 free spins and expands vertically on reel one during this round.
Additionally, there are four special gems icons:
- Golden Diamond
- Red Ruby
- Blue Sapphire
- Emerald
These special symbols offer varying cash rewards depending on their presence in winning combinations or by triggering bonus features when landing multiple times within a single spin.
Bonus Features and Bonus Rounds
Lion Gems: Hold and Win offers two main bonus features:
- Free Spins : Triggered by three, four, or five Emerald Cat symbols anywhere on the reels, this feature awards between 10 and 50 free spins depending on the triggering symbol count.
- Hold & Win Bonus Game : This is triggered when four or more special gems icons are placed in one spin within a designated area of six rows by three columns across reels two to five.
The Hold & Win bonus game allows players to lock any icon(s) displayed on the corresponding row below, which can lead to wins worth up to €25,000 in cash and/or additional free spins with potential multiplier values between x1 and x20 during the feature.
