Book of Fallen Slot Review
Pragmatic Play have built a recognisable catalogue within their John Hunter adventure series, and Book of Fallen continues this tradition while attempting to differentiate itself in an oversaturated Egyptian slot market. Released on 25 November 2021, the game presents a familiar 5-reel, 3-row setup with 10 fixed paylines and high volatility gameplay. What separates this release from other Book slots is the player-selected expanding symbol feature and the Super Spin Ante Bet, allowing players to choose their own risk-reward balance rather than relying purely on chance. The Egyptian theme itself offers little innovation, following the well-worn path of titles like Book of Ra and Book of Dead, but Pragmatic Play’s execution includes gold-tinted graphics that elevate the visual presentation beyond generic hieroglyphics.
Base Game & Features
Book of Fallen operates on a standard 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 fixed paylines running left to right. Wins form when matching symbols connect from the leftmost reel across adjacent positions, with premium symbols requiring just 2 matches while lower-paying card symbols need 3 or more. The betting range spans from £0.10 to £50 per spin at most operators, though some casinos extend the maximum to £100.
The symbol hierarchy places John Hunter at the top as the highest-paying regular symbol, followed by the Pharaoh, Anubis, and Ankh as premium Egyptian-themed icons. Lower-paying positions are filled by standard card symbols: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten. The Book symbol serves a dual function as both wild and scatter, substituting for all paying symbols while simultaneously triggering the bonus round.
The base game maintains a steady rhythm with a hit frequency of 1 in 3.25 spins, meaning wins land roughly 30.77% of the time. This regularity keeps gameplay active between bonus triggers, though the high volatility profile means payout sizes fluctuate significantly.
Super Spin Ante Bet
Super Spin Ante Bet multiplies the total spin cost by 10x but activates the expanding symbol mechanic in the base game, allowing the chosen symbol to expand and pay from any position on all reels. Before activating this feature, players select which symbol will expand when triggered. Premium symbols require just 2 instances on the reels to expand, while lower-paying symbols need 3 or more.
The critical detail: wins are calculated using the base stake amount, not the increased 10x ante bet. This means if you’re betting £1 on a regular spin and activate Super Spin at £10 per spin, any wins are still paid based on the £1 stake. The feature offers potential for significant wins through expanding symbols in base gameplay, though the 10x cost requires bankroll consideration.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Book of Fallen Free Spins
Landing 3 or more Book scatters on any reels triggers the free spins bonus round, awarding 10 free spins immediately. Before the round begins, players select which symbol becomes the expanding special symbol throughout the feature. This player choice mechanic distinguishes Book of Fallen from traditional Book slots where the expanding symbol is randomly assigned.
During free spins, when the chosen expanding symbol lands, it expands to cover entire reels and pays from any position across all reels, not restricted to left-to-right adjacent connections. Premium symbols still require 2 or more to trigger expansion, while card symbols need 3 or more. Landing 3 or more scatters during the bonus round retriggers the feature, awarding an additional 10 free spins with no limit to the number of retriggers possible.
The strategic element of symbol selection adds depth. Choosing premium symbols offers higher individual payouts but requires fewer symbols, while selecting card symbols provides more frequent triggers at lower values. This risk-reward balance gives players agency rather than leaving bonus potential entirely to chance.
Bonus Buy Feature
Players can purchase direct access to free spins for 100x the current stake, instantly triggering 10 free spins with player symbol selection. The RTP adjusts to 96.48% when using bonus buy, a minimal 0.02% reduction from the standard 96.50% rate. This makes the feature cost-effective for those seeking immediate bonus access without waiting for natural scatter triggers, which occur approximately once every 2.1 million spins at maximum win probability.
Our Honest Verdict
Book of Fallen sits comfortably within Pragmatic Play’s established portfolio as a competent Egyptian-themed slot that doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel. The 96.50% RTP places it above industry average, and the 5,000x maximum win potential provides genuine excitement for high volatility chasers. The player-selected expanding symbol and Super Spin Ante Bet are where the game differentiates itself, offering strategic choices within an otherwise familiar framework.
The Egyptian theme itself brings nothing new to the conversation. We’ve seen countless variations of pharaohs, ankhs, and golden hieroglyphics, and Book of Fallen doesn’t deviate from this formula. For players who welcome classical themes, the high-quality graphics and gold-tinted presentation will more than suffice. Those seeking innovation in aesthetics will find this release familiar to the point of predictability.
Where the game succeeds is in refining existing mechanics rather than introducing revolutionary features. The player choice element during free spins adds a layer of strategy that similar Book slots lack, and the Super Spin Ante Bet provides base game excitement for those willing to pay the premium. The 5,000x win cap positions this firmly in the medium-to-high volatility space, appealing to players comfortable with longer dry spells in exchange for significant win potential.
Book of Fallen will satisfy fans of the John Hunter series and those comfortable with high volatility Egyptian slots. It won’t surprise or challenge genre conventions, but it executes its formula competently with enough mechanical differentiation to justify its place in a crowded market. Casual players seeking consistent smaller wins should look elsewhere – this is built for those willing to weather variance for the possibility of expanded symbol wins up to 5,000x.
Book of Fallen FAQs
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What is the RTP of Book of Fallen?
Book of Fallen operates at 96.50% RTP in standard gameplay, with alternative variants at 95.50% and 94.50% depending on the operator. When using the bonus buy feature, the RTP adjusts slightly to 96.48%, a minimal 0.02% reduction. -
What is the maximum win on Book of Fallen?
The maximum win potential reaches 5,000x your stake. On a maximum £50 bet, this translates to £250,000. The win probability for maximum payout is approximately 1 in 2.1 million spins, reflecting the high volatility profile. -
Does Book of Fallen have free spins?
Yes. Landing 3 or more Book scatter symbols triggers 10 free spins. Before the round begins, you select which symbol expands during the feature. The bonus can retrigger unlimited times by landing 3+ scatters during free spins, awarding an additional 10 spins per retrigger. -
Can I play Book of Fallen on mobile?
Yes. Book of Fallen is fully optimised for mobile play across iOS and Android devices. Pragmatic Play’s HTML5 technology ensures the game performs consistently across desktop, tablet, and smartphone platforms without requiring separate app downloads. -
Does Book of Fallen have a bonus buy feature?
Yes. The bonus buy costs 100x your current stake and grants immediate access to 10 free spins with player symbol selection. The RTP when using bonus buy is 96.48%, marginally lower than the standard 96.50% rate. -
What is the volatility of Book of Fallen?
Book of Fallen is rated High volatility (5/5). This means wins are less frequent but potentially larger. The hit frequency is 1 in 3.25 spins (30.77%), providing regular small wins while reserving larger payouts for bonus features and expanding symbol combinations. -
What is the Super Spin Ante Bet feature?
Super Spin Ante Bet multiplies your spin cost by 10x to activate expanding symbols in the base game. You select which symbol expands before activation. Importantly, wins are calculated on your regular stake amount, not the 10x ante bet, so a £1 base bet at £10 Super Spin cost still pays based on the £1 stake. -
Is Book of Fallen part of a game series?
Yes. Book of Fallen is part of Pragmatic Play’s John Hunter adventure series, which includes titles like John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen, John Hunter and the Book of Tut, and John Hunter and the Aztec Treasure. The character appears as the highest-paying symbol across these themed releases.
