Dark Vortex

Players on the lookout for the best online slots will want to pay close attention to Dark Vortex, a demonic game from Yggdrasil.

The kingdom of evil has never looked so good as in this casino slot machine.

What’s more, this title boasts some of the most memorable bonus features in recent memory: Vortex Free Spins. These feature expanded reels with more ways to win, stacked wilds, more high-value symbols, and much more!

Theme

“Enter a realm full of all things dark and wretched…”

… so begins the designer’s description of this slot. A gorgeous animated sequence welcomes players to this foul region, where a glowing portal has been opened by the forces of evil!

The stone reels are framed by gargoyles, lit candles, human bones, and all other remnants of black magic.

Monsters and bonuses abound in equal measure here: players who dare to risk this perilous landscape may win serious prizes. The dreadful cast of characters includes a horned, flaming demon; a slimy, green creature; a cackling moth; a mutated dog with far too many teeth; and a purple elephant brute. Ugly spell books act as lower-value symbols.

Experienced slot players know, however, that the most interesting part of any Yggdrasil slot is its bonuses…

… and the design team has included a handsome array!

Golden Vortex symbols are the key to opening the way to Vortex Spins: it’s here that this game’s magnificent bonuses (explained in detail below) can be enjoyed.

Betting Options and Functions

Instead of along traditional paylines, wins are awarded for any set of identical symbols across three adjacent reels. This yields 243 ways to win in base play, and a staggering 3125 ways to win when all Vortex Reels are open.

Coin value is adjustable from 0.01–5.00 for an overall per-spin bet range of 0.10–50.00 times the betting currency. Autoplay is available for up to 1000 spins, or without limit, with optional win/loss limits available.

Player options, payline information, game rules, and more are available via an expanding menu at the lower left corner of the game screen. The overall theoretical return to player ratio is quite strong at 96.5%.

Features

• The appearance of Vortex symbols on two or more adjacent reels opens the Vortex.
• Landing two Vortex symbols on adjacent reels converts them into Vortex reels for three free Vortex Spins.
• The reels on which the Vortex symbols appeared will expand from a height of three symbols to one of five symbols, increasing the number of ways to win to staggering 3125.
• Vortex reels contain wilds, more high-paying symbols, and orbs.
• Pink Orbs add one additional wild to the sets of stacked wilds.
• Blue Orbs add one additional free spin to the feature.
• Wilds only appear on the middle three reels; orbs appear only on reels one and five.
• Each additional adjacent Vortex symbol awards an extra Vortex reel and two additional free spins.

• Should all five reels be converted to Vortex reels, the Vortex Free Spin feature is unlocked.
• One Free Spin is awarded for each Blue Orb in the collection.
• The center three reels all have stacked wilds, with the stack increased in size by one for each Pink Orb in the collection.

• For all coin values 0.01–1.00, players have the option to begin the free spin bonus at any time, for a cost of 80 times the total bet.
• In this case, 5–20 free spins are awarded with 2–10 tall wild stacked, depending on which cards are drawn.

Our Take

Yggdrasil again demonstrates their online gambling virtuosity in this title. With pristine design, features galore, and high RTP, this game is an instant classic.

For players charmed by the dark elements of this slot, the adventuresome Wolf Hunters offers a similar noir approach from the same designer.