Babylon Riches

Base Game & Features

The base game presents 20 fixed pay lines across the middle 3 rows of reels. Players can bet from £.€0.10 per spin up to a max bet size of £.€10 per spin, with the RTP set at a respectable 96.13%. Symbol payouts range from 1.5x to 50x for landing 5 matching standard or high-paying icons. 

Some notable symbols include a snake, bird, goat, lion and bull on the higher-paying end. Low-paying cards like spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs round out the reel options. Overall, the hit frequency is a moderate 21.02% with potential max wins reaching an impressive 7,250x your bet.

The backdrop faithfully recreates the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon above marble pillars flanking either side. This historical setting provides an immersive gaming experience for players to feel like they’ve stepped back in time. 

The base game is also where one of the key features, the Cycle Rounds, is initiated through special symbol placement. We’ll explore this transformative mechanic in more detail later.

Wild Symbol

The only Wild in the base game is the “W” icon. It substitutes for all symbols except Scatter and Special symbols to form winning combinations. Completing a pay line with 5 Wilds delivers a substantial direct 50x payout. Wilds are exclusively obtained through landing Illuminated Frames during cycle rounds.

This creates an element of mystery and anticipation for players as to what symbols may transform on the next spin. It also provides a consistently upgrading Wild function throughout gameplay as frames progress round after round.

Cycle Rounds

Now we get to the crux of what sets this slot apart – the Cycle Rounds feature. Initiated by landing any special symbol, it leaves a Framed Position on that reel to be transformed on the final 8th spin. 

There are 3 possible outcomes for these illuminated frames: Regular Wild, Multiplier Wild, or Symbol Multiplier. Regular wilds substitute as expected while multiplier wilds can boost wins 2x, 3x or a massive 8x. Symbol multipliers apply 4x, 6x or 16x to whole pay lines containing that matching icon.

Perhaps most intriguing is how frames persist onto subsequent rounds, building rising stakes for what icons may convert. Players can chain multiple special symbols consecutively to establish a field of frames leading up to that climactic 8th Spin transformation. Large symbol multipliers in particular present colossal upside potential under the right alignments.

Bonus Buy

A 60x bet cost is required to immediately access Free Spins without naturally triggering it first. While a hefty price tag, it does allow players wanting instant gratification the chance to participate in the enhanced mechanics right away.

Free Spins

Triggering Free Spins is fairly standard, requiring 2 Scatter symbols to appear on the 1st and 5th reels. This awards the player with an initial 8 Free Spins. Another 2 Scatters will re-trigger an additional +8 Free Spins during this feature.

Unlike some bonus rounds that continue the base game mechanics, Babylon Riches adds an extra-dimensional element with frames. Specifically, 2 to 8 Frames are applied randomly to the reels on every free spin rather than carrying over-positioned frames. 

Not only do these illuminated frames offer a chance to reveal highly valuable Cash Prizes up to 20x the bet, but symbols contained within can fulfil winning combinations as well. This elevates the volatility and excitement during free spins.

Pros and Cons of Babylon Riches

Pros:

• Above average 96.13% RTP
• Potential max win of 7,250x bet
• Authentic ancient Babylon theme and visuals
• Engaging cycle rounds feature with building frames and high volatility transformations
• Free spins add cash prizes and extra wild opportunities

Cons:

• No traditional bonus games for selection
• The base game itself can feel low volatility at times
• Variance swings can produce dry spins or minimal wins

Conclusion

The authentic retro slot atmosphere coupled with intense multiplier rounds gives Babylon Riches plenty of appeal straight out of the gate. It feels modern while paying homage to history through production quality. Playing the slow building frame sessions with big reveals reminds us of other “fill the board” style features like Buffalo Hunter.

Initial testing showed the volatility rating swinging both ways as expected. Some quiet rounds contrasted with sudden big wins materializing from stacked multipliers. Overall, the balancing of persistent risk/reward mechanics seems fair for the high variance cycle concept. RTP remains above average too.

A minor complaint could be the lack of bonus games to break up standard spinning. However, getting straight into high-stakes symbol multipliers more than makes up for it in excitement. On the whole, Babylon Riches makes for an engaging adventure worth returning to overtime in pursuit of impressive payouts. Its build-up of frames from special symbols landing adds tangible strategy too versus blind luck alone.

In conclusion, NetEnt brought the splendour and lore of Babylon to life through creative multi-round gameplay. Between historic authenticity, above-average volatility management, and consistent high upside potential, this slot maintains fun and engaging content throughout extended sessions. It makes for a must-try experience combining education and thrill for classic slot fans!