Power Paws Slot Review
Team up with the world’s most courageous kitty crusaders in Push Gaming’s latest release, Power Paws!
Usually, it’s the humans rescuing cats from trees or burning buildings, but it seems the roles have reversed in Push Gaming’s latest inspirational animal/superhero video slot, Power Paws.
Push Gaming are exploring untouched territory, creating a unique release for their growing portfolio. Players will familiarise themselves with the game mechanics, which are similar to ZapLab and the Reactoonz series.
Push Gaming certainly had an opening for a game of this nature, which will undoubtedly delight players upon its release date. In terms of design, Push Gaming found inspiration from comic books and popular movies, while giving a variety of felines all the glory.
With a fixed RTP of 96.25% and a medium volatility score, Power Paws has the potential to achieve up to 6,500x in max wins. Feline lovers will rejoice as we get stuck into the nitty-gritty of Power Paws.
Base Game & Features
Power Paws is the latest 7×7 Video Slot from Push Gaming, which utilises the Cluster Pays mechanic rather than pay lines or ways to win. Winning combinations react when 5-30 identical symbols land horizontally or vertically on the grid.
There are 10 high and low-paying symbols available, representing characters, weapons, and card suits. Depending on the type of symbol, a fixed payout between 0.1x and 250x your bet is applied, where possible.
In addition, Wild symbols appear on all grid positions, substituting for all paytable symbols except Mystery, Meter Charge, Expander, Multiplier, and Instant Prize symbols.
Due to the nature of the Cluster Pays mechanic, winning clusters are subject to removal via an Avalanche Feature. This enables new symbols to appear from above, filling all empty grid positions, and potentially creating additional winning clusters.
Progression Meter & Feature Levels
During gameplay, whenever a winning cluster is formed, the winning symbols are collected into the Progression Meter to the left of the grid.
The Progression Meter is made up of 4 Levels, each needing a certain number of winning symbols to unlock. Each winning symbol acts as 1 Point when filling the meter. Failing to fill the meter will result in a reset at the start of the next spin.
When a Level is achieved on the meter, its respective Feature will trigger. If more than 1 level is achieved, the Features will play one after another until complete. During levels 0-3, a special Meter Charge symbol can appear on the grid.
Once in view, the Meter Charge symbol will award +5 Points to the progression meter, after which, a random paytable symbol is revealed in its place. When a Feature Level is unlocked, it will award the following outcome:
- Power Mysteries (level 1): Triggers when 25 symbols are collected. Once active, between 5 and 10 Mystery symbols are added to the grid, revealing Paytable or Wild symbols.
- Power Wilds (level 2): Triggers when 50 symbols are collected. Once active, between 5 and 10 Wild symbols are randomly positioned on the grid.
- Power Colossals (level 3): Triggers when 75 symbols are collected. Once active, 1-2 Colossal symbols are added to the grid in sizes 2×2, 3×3, or 4×4.
- Power Nudge (level 4): Triggers when 100 symbols are collected. Once active, a 2×2 Colossal Mystery symbol is added to the top of the grid. As long as this symbol remains in view, the Respins feature is granted. The colossal mystery symbol will drop 1 position with each Respin, increasing the Multiplier by +x1. This symbol may reveal High-paying symbols, Wilds, or colossal instant prizes.
In addition, up to 3 Special Symbols can land during the above Feature Levels:
- Expander: Appears during Level 4 of the Progression Meter. When in view, it causes the colossal nudging symbol to increase in size by 1×1, up to a maximum of 7×7.
- Increaser: Appears during Level 4 of the Progression Meter. Once in view, this symbol will cause the Global Multiplier to increment by its revealed value. The maximum value of the Increaser symbol is +x5.
- Instant Prizes: Reveal cash prizes between 10x and 1,000x your bet. Instant Prizes that are under the influence of the Expander symbol will reveal bigger cash prizes, up to a maximum of 1,000x your bet.
Random Wilds Feature
During Level 0 of the progression meter, the Random Wilds feature can trigger, so long as no winning clusters are present on the grid. Once active, between 5 & 10 Wild symbols are positioned on random grid positions.
Push Bet
Players within acceptable regions can access up to 3 Push Bet Features from the following:
- Power Mysteries: Guarantees 25+ symbols are collected to activate level 1 for 5x your bet
- Power Wilds: Guarantees 50+ symbols are collected to activate level 2 for 20x your bet
- Power Colossals: Guarantees 75+ symbols are collected to activate level 3 for 50x your bet
Each of the above Push Bet options facilitates a theoretical RTP between 96.30% and 96.39%.
Furthermore, Power Paws includes a fixed max win potential of 6,500x your bet. If a game round exceeds this figure, the current mode will end, and the player will return to the base game with the full amount.
Our Honest Verdict
If, like us, you’ve spent hours upon hours grinding for a ‘Gargi’ on Reactoonz, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for in Power Paws by Push Gaming. We’ll admit, this game does have its benefits, such as the Random Wilds feature, whereas Reactoonz sucked the life out of you and your balance over many, many failed spins.
During gameplay, the number of winning symbols needed for each Feature Level seems about average, which is made somewhat easier and more achievable via the Cluster Pays mechanic.
Of course, certain players can skip the grind entirely by activating up to 3 Push Bet options, fitted with a reasonable price tag. However, this option only gets you so far and does not facilitate a Level 4 buy option (the hard work falls to you).
The grind for each Feature Level can take some time, so patience and persistence are key in this game. It can be particularly frustrating when you’re one good cluster win away from activating a level, for it to miss at the last hurdle.
With this in mind, the Random Wilds Feature becomes a ‘saving grace’ during spins, keeping players engaged and focused throughout gameplay, whilst topping up the balance and aiding the accumulation of winning clusters.
In terms of the maths model, Power Paws looks good. The medium volatility rating and theoretical RTP of 96.25% are average in a slot of this nature, whilst the 6,500x max win potential could have been better.
All in all, Power Paws revives timeless features and mechanics, making it a standout choice for players and a first for Push Gaming’s portfolio.
*The images found in this slot review are currently from Demo Play. On average, our reviews are written prior to the initial release date and before real play is available.
