Eye of Atum is a classic ancient Egypt-themed slot from Play’n GO that delivers a relaxed, steady gaming experience rather than heart-pounding action. With an RTP of 96.20% and high volatility, this slot is best suited for experienced players who appreciate strategic gameplay and don’t mind waiting for the big wins to arrive. The game’s main appeal lies in its expanding wild symbols and progressive free spins feature, where lower-value symbols continually upgrade as wilds land during bonus play.
Base Game and Gameplay Experience
Eye of Atum features 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines across a £0.10 to £100 per spin bet range. The game runs smoothly on both desktop and mobile devices, maintaining the classic presentation of the ancient Egypt genre whilst offering impactful mechanics that keep players engaged between feature triggers. The layout is clean and intuitive, making it easy for both new and experienced players to navigate.
The star of the base game is the expanding wild symbol (the god Atum), which lands on reels 2, 3, and 4 during both base and bonus play. When Atum appears, he expands to fill the entire reel and substitutes for regular symbols to complete winning combinations. This mechanic provides regular small to medium wins that help balance the overall volatility of the game, preventing the base game from feeling completely dry between bonus triggers. The frequency of these expanding wilds is well-calibrated to maintain player interest.
The base game is admittedly a grind for many players, as the expanding wilds are the primary source of entertainment when the free spins feature isn’t active. For thrill-seekers expecting constant action and rapid-fire features, this steady pace can feel monotonous and underwhelming. However, for players who prefer laid-back gaming and don’t mind a slower rhythm, the expanding wilds provide enough engagement to maintain interest throughout extended play sessions without becoming repetitive.
Bonus Features and Free Spins Mechanic
The main attraction of Eye of Atum is its free spins bonus round, triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols (represented by golden pyramids). Before entering free spins, scatter symbols pay out their own rewards: 3 scatters award 2x your stake, 4 scatters award 20x your stake, and 5 scatters award an impressive 500x your stake. This scatter payout mechanic adds an extra layer of value to the feature trigger, ensuring that even a small scatter win feels rewarding.
Players receive a base of 12 free spins when triggering the feature, but the real magic happens through retriggers. Landing 1, 2, or 3 wilds during free spins awards +1, +2, or +5 additional spins respectively. Retriggers can accumulate to a theoretical maximum of 150 free games, allowing for extended bonus play if the reels cooperate and wilds keep landing throughout the round.
What sets the free spins feature apart is the symbol upgrade mechanic. Each time a wild (Atum) lands during the bonus round, the current lowest-value premium symbol automatically upgrades to the next tier in the pay table hierarchy. This process continues with each additional wild, progressively upgrading symbols until all premium symbols eventually reach the highest-paying Eye symbol. This upgrade system creates genuinely exciting moments as your win potential grows with each spin, building anticipation as you progress towards complete symbol transformation.
RTP, Volatility, and Winning Potential
Eye of Atum comes with an RTP of 96.20%, which sits above the industry average of 96%. This translates to better long-term returns for players compared to the typical slot machine, making it mathematically favourable over extended play. The game is available in multiple RTP versions (94.20%, 91.20%, 87.20%, and 84.20%), though the default 96.20% is the most commonly offered in UK and European casinos.
With a 7/10 high volatility rating, Eye of Atum is designed for experienced players comfortable with larger swings between wins. You’ll experience extended dry spells in the base game, but the potential for substantial payouts arrives when free spins trigger and the symbol upgrade mechanic kicks in. However, the maximum win potential of 2,000x your stake is relatively modest for a high volatility slot, which some discerning players may find underwhelming given the long wait times between significant wins.
The maximum win of 2,000x is achievable when the symbol upgrade mechanic transforms all premium symbols into the highest-paying Eye symbol during an extended free spins round with multiple retriggers and perfect symbol progression. Realistically, most players will see payouts in the 100x to 500x range during bonus play, which aligns nicely with the game’s intended steady, deliberate pacing.
Visual Design and Aesthetic Presentation
Eye of Atum maintains Play’n GO’s classic presentation of the ancient Egypt theme. The graphics are solid and professional but not groundbreaking by modern standards, with well-rendered symbols and a clean layout that won’t overwhelm the senses or cause visual fatigue during extended play. The ancient Egypt genre is well-trodden territory in online slots, and whilst Eye of Atum executes it competently, it doesn’t push any visual boundaries or offer striking artistic innovation that would set it apart from established competitors.
The soundtrack is pleasant and unobtrusive, providing atmospheric support without becoming annoying during extended play sessions. The overall visual experience is polished and professional, suitable for both desktop and mobile play without performance issues, though players expecting cutting-edge graphics or immersive animations may find the presentation somewhat understated compared to newer releases from other providers.
Who Should Play Eye of Atum?
Eye of Atum is ideal for: Players who appreciate the Eye of Horus series and enjoy the ancient Egypt theme, experienced slot enthusiasts comfortable with high volatility and long dry spells, players seeking a relaxed gaming experience without rapid-fire bonuses, and anyone who values a solid 96.20% RTP over cutting-edge graphics.
Eye of Atum is NOT suitable for: Casual players seeking frequent wins and short bonus intervals, thrill-seekers who want constant action and excitement, players intimidated by high volatility dynamics, and those chasing maximum win potential above 5,000x on a regular basis.
Our Honest Verdict
Eye of Atum is a solid entry in Play’n GO’s diverse slot portfolio, though it doesn’t push creative boundaries or offer exceptional innovation compared to newer releases. The expanding wild mechanic and symbol upgrade feature during free spins are engaging and well-executed, creating moments of genuine excitement when they trigger. The 96.20% RTP is commendable and provides good value for players willing to stick with the game long-term.
However, the base game’s grind and the relatively low maximum win of 2,000x for a high volatility game may frustrate players seeking either action-packed gameplay or headline-grabbing win potential. The visual presentation, whilst perfectly adequate, feels somewhat conventional compared to other recent releases from Play’n GO. If you’re a fan of relaxed Egyptian-themed slots with solid mechanics and above-average RTP, Eye of Atum delivers consistent entertainment. If you’re chasing innovation or spectacular payouts, you may want to explore other options.
Rating: 7/10 – A competent, well-designed slot that does exactly what it sets out to do, offering reliable gameplay and good mathematics at a steady pace. Not revolutionary, but definitely worth playing if the relaxed pacing appeals to you.
Eye of Atum FAQs
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What is the RTP of Eye of Atum?
Eye of Atum has an RTP of 96.20%, which sits above the industry average of 96%. This means players can expect better long-term returns. The game is available in multiple RTP versions (94.20%, 91.20%, 87.20%, and 84.20%), though 96.20% is the most commonly offered. -
What is the maximum win in Eye of Atum?
The maximum win is 2,000x your bet, achieved when the symbol upgrade mechanic transforms all premium symbols into the highest-paying Eye symbol during an extended free spins round with retriggers. -
Is Eye of Atum high volatility?
Yes, Eye of Atum is rated as high volatility (7/10), meaning wins are infrequent but potentially large. You’ll experience extended dry spells in the base game, but the free spins feature with symbol upgrades offers exciting payout potential for patient players. -
What is the bet range for Eye of Atum?
Bets range from £0.10 to £100 per spin, accommodating both casual players and high rollers across the 10 paylines and 5-reel, 3-row grid. -
How do the free spins and symbol upgrades work?
Landing 3+ pyramids (scatter symbols) triggers 12 free spins. Each wild during free spins upgrades the lowest-value premium symbol to the next tier, progressively upgrading all symbols until they reach the highest Eye symbol. Wilds also award +1, +2, or +5 additional spins, with retriggers capping at 150 total games. -
Who developed Eye of Atum?
Eye of Atum was developed by Play’n GO, the Swedish gaming company known for producing reliable, well-designed slots with solid mathematics and polished gameplay. The game was released on March 24, 2022.
