Lucha Maniacs Slot Review

Intro

Yggdrasil Gaming aims to score another successful title launch with Lucha Maniacs, a video slot game themed on Mexican luchadores that will be available in casinos across the web starting with April 24th, 2018. Imagine a small Mexican pueblo and the lack of entertainment in such a settlement. Here come the luchadores to save the day! They’ll throw a show in the main square and have people cheering in no time. Mexican wrestling has been a major theme in several slot games over the years, but knowing Yggdrasil they are bound to introduce some creative aspects we’ve never had the chance to see before. Through a modern looking design and lively Mexican wrestler icons, Lucha Maniacs creates an atmosphere close to a real life show.

Game Symbols

The latest release coming from Yggdrasil features some real wrestling stars. They will set foot onto the arena which is portrayed in the background of the reels, complete with audience pumped for the show and the stage set in the main square of the village. The high paying symbols are the four wrestlers who can be distinguished by colour of their masks. We have a red wrestler, a purple wrestler, a blue wrestler and a green wrestler. Lower values are assigned to playing card symbols: clubs, hearts, spades and diamonds. The Wild takes the form of the game’s logo and the Bonus is represented by an image of the wrestling ring. The Lucha Maniacs Wild substitutes for all regular symbols and the Bonus acts as a Scatter, triggering two of the game’s bonus rounds.

Some new symbols appear during special features such as new Wilds in form of wrestlers and a Tag Team symbol (2 highest paying wrestlers merge into one symbol creating a tag team; when 2 wrestlers are tag teamed, every time those 2 symbols land on the reels they turn into the tag team symbol).

Gameplay

The 2018 release benefits from a standard 5×3 layout and features 20 paylines which are fixed on default. You can’t adjust the number of active lines; instead, you can adjust the coin value and make use of the Autoplay option. Once you select automatic spins you can choose several option from 10 spins up to 1000 and even ‘infinity’. You’ll notice a Golden Bet option on the side of the Spin button. If you click on it, you’ll activate the Golden Bet and add 5 extra coins to your bet per spin; in return, you’ll get one extra feature during Free Spins mode. Otherwise, the game plays out without any twists and turns – all win lines pay left to right. If three or more symbols are lined up in sequence on a line, a corresponding payout is credited to the player’s balance. Game rules can be found as an integrated part of the control panel, so each player can get to know the game before he/she starts betting real money.

Bonus Features

The Free Spins mode is the main feature in Lucha Maniacs. However, it is everything but a regular free spins round. It takes 3 or more Scatter Bonus symbols to activate the free plays mode with extra features. Depending on the number of Bonus symbols that trigger the round the player can win 7 free spins with 3 features (3 Bonus symbols), 15 free spins with 3 features (4 Bonus symbols) or 30 freebies with 3 extra features. The features are hidden, and the players choose them by picking out sets of tickets. The pickable tickets will reveal the following features: 2 extra free spins, 4 extra free spins, 1 Wild randomly placed each spin, 2 Wilds randomly placed each spin, 1 Sticky Wild in the middle position on the reels 2, 3 and 4, x3 multiplier on 1 wrestler, 1 wrestler acts as a Wild, 1 wrestler becomes stacked on the reels, the 2 highest paying wrestlers merge into a tag team and lastly, a feature where the next 2 highest paying wrestlers merge into a tag team. Only one wrestle can be chosen as Stacked and only one type can contain a multiplier, while others will have such features disabled.

There is another bonus available – the Poster Bonus. Landing 2 Bonus symbols in the base game triggers the Poster Bonus which rewards the player a free spin with 3 or 4 extra features or a cash prize of 20-80 coins.

Payouts

As for the payouts in Lucha Maniacs, this is a game with an RTP of 96.2% when playing with Golden Bet activated and 96.1% without Golden Bet. The Free Spins mode is the main source of huge wins, all features considered. The top payout in the base game is 200 coins for the red-purple tag team of wrestlers. The betting range is reasonable wide, accommodating both modest gamblers and players with a loose finger.

Verdict

All in all, Lucha Maniacs is a game that could never become boring, as it comes with so many various features and ways to win. There are quite a few details about the bonus that should be studied thoroughly, so that one can enjoy the game from start to finish. Some players might find that demanding. Lucha Maniacs is not a progressive slot, but it’s a game with some mesmerising graphics and amusing special features. It is a slot that truly allows you to sit back and enjoy the show.