Lightning Megaways Slot Review
Blueprint Gaming built their reputation on crafting vibrant slots that let players experience the full game rather than fixate solely on bonus rounds. When Lightning Megaways arrived in February 2019, it established itself as a landmark release—the first Megaways slot to feature the innovative pay-both-ways mechanic. Set in a Norse mythology theme with striking Viking visuals, this 6-reel adventure quickly became a hit among gamblers thanks to its thrilling engine and high-quality artwork. The combination of 15,625 ways to win with dual-directional paylines created something genuinely fresh in the Megaways landscape, attracting both casual players and those chasing substantial volatility-driven payouts.
Base Game & Features
The 6×5 grid powers Lightning Megaways’ distinctive mechanics. Each reel can display 2 to 5 symbols, generating the dynamic 15,625 ways to win that defines modern Megaways gameplay. What sets this release apart is the pay-both-ways innovation: winning combinations count from left to right and right to left, effectively doubling your chances of landing paying spins without actually doubling the reel configuration.
Thor’s Hammer serves as the wild symbol, expanding to full reels on positions 2, 3, 4, and 5. When this symbol lands, it triggers a respin mechanic with a wild multiplier ranging from 1x to 3x. This feature can repeat up to four times consecutively, potentially creating multiplier stacks of up to 81x (3x to the power of 4). The expanding wild creates genuinely thrilling moments, as each successful respin keeps the momentum building.
Mystery symbols—represented by the gold Yggdrasil tree—add an extra layer of unpredictability by revealing random standard symbols. This increases your chances of completing winning combinations during any spin. The sound design and graphic effects deserve special mention: shaking screens, big bangs, and crashes as hammers land create an immensely exciting audio-visual experience that keeps the action engaging. The base game doesn’t deliver consistently large wins on its own, but when Thor’s Hammer lands, you can hit genuinely big payouts that make extended play sessions worthwhile.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Lightning Megaways ditches traditional free spins in favour of the Mega Spins Ladder, a gamble-style bonus triggered whenever you land a win worth 5x your stake or more. The feature presents a prize wheel connected to a ladder progression system. You have three options: take your current win, exchange it for Mega Spins, or gamble your win on the wheel.
The gamble mechanic carries significant risk that demands strategic thinking. If you fail on the wheel, you lose your initial win entirely. This mechanic has polarised the community—some appreciate the high-stakes tension, whilst others prefer traditional free spins without the loss potential. Those playing the Mega Spins see increased win frequency compared to the base game, with the potential to reach the maximum payout of 10,000x your stake through progressive ladder climbing. The high volatility means any single spin could explode into a massive payout if fortune favours you.
The Lightning Re-spin feature happens quite often when you land expanding wild symbols, keeping action flowing frequently during base play. However, some players find the features somewhat flat and not particularly engaging for extended sessions. Blueprint Gaming’s design philosophy emphasises mechanical innovation over narrative progression—you won’t find a traditional bonus game story arc here.
Our Honest Verdict
Lightning Megaways delivers near-perfect quality from a production standpoint, with impressive graphics, sound design, and mechanical implementation that clearly distinguishes it within Blueprint’s Megaways portfolio. The RTP of 95.96% (with some casinos offering a 96.5% variant) sits comfortably within industry standards. With high volatility gameplay, a generous maximum win of 10,000x through the Mega Spins feature, and a betting range from €0.10 to €50, the game accommodates all player types.
Blueprint Gaming accomplished an impressive feat finding innovative uses of the Megaways mechanic through the expanding multiplier wilds and the unconventional Mega Spins structure. However, some reviewers compare it less favourably to other Blueprint Megaways titles like Gods of Olympus Megaways. The absence of a traditional bonus game means some players find it gets boring after a while.
This game is particularly suited for high-volatility enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of big potential wins and don’t mind extended dry spells between payouts. Casual players seeking consistent base game action or those preferring traditional free spins mechanics may find the Mega Spins gamble approach frustrating. The pay-both-ways innovation appreciated as a genuine first for Megaways slots, offering creative variety to win combination formation. Lightning Megaways remains a highly regarded Megaways release with very good features and enormous win potential for the right player.
FAQs
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What is the RTP of Lightning Megaways?
The RTP of Lightning Megaways is 95.96%, though some casinos report 96.5% as a variant. With high volatility, the game features 6 reels with 15,625 ways to win and a maximum payout of 10,000x your stake through the Mega Spins gamble feature. -
What is the maximum win on Lightning Megaways?
Lightning Megaways has a maximum win of 10,000x your stake through the Mega Spins gamble feature. Base game wins are substantially lower, but the gamble wheel mechanism can multiply your initial win up to this significant ceiling. -
How volatile is Lightning Megaways?
Lightning Megaways has high volatility, meaning wins are less frequent but when they do occur they tend to be substantially larger. Players should adjust their bankroll, mindset and bet level to handle the fluctuations between dry spells and explosive payouts. -
When was Lightning Megaways released?
Lightning Megaways by Blueprint Gaming was released on February 14, 2019. The game became notable as the first Megaways slot to feature the innovative pay-both-ways mechanic. -
What are the main features of Lightning Megaways?
Lightning Megaways features Thor’s Hammer as the expanding wild symbol (on reels 2-5), Mystery symbols that reveal random standard symbols, and a Mega Spins bonus triggered on wins of 5x stake or more. The gamble wheel allows players to multiply their wins progressively up to 10,000x. -
Is Lightning Megaways worth playing?
Lightning Megaways offers near-perfect quality with impressive graphics and sound effects. However, some players compare it less favourably to other Blueprint Megaways titles. It’s best suited for high-volatility enthusiasts seeking large win potential and who appreciate the innovative gamble-based bonus structure. -
What is the betting range for Lightning Megaways?
Lightning Megaways offers a betting range from 0.10 to 50 EUR per spin, accommodating both casual players and high-stakes gamblers. The 15,625 ways to win apply across all bet levels. -
How does the Lightning Megaways Mega Spins bonus work?
The Mega Spins Ladder is triggered whenever you hit a win of 5x your stake or higher in the base game. A prize wheel appears with a ladder where you can take your win, gamble it on the wheel, or exchange it for Mega Spins. The wheel can multiply your win progressively up to 10,000x your stake.
