Scroll of Dead Slot Review
Play’n GO have established themselves as a developer who understands the value of refinement over reinvention. Scroll of Dead is their answer to the obvious question: what if we could improve upon the legendary Book of Dead formula? Released in May 2021, this Egyptian-themed sequel builds on proven foundations whilst introducing meaningful mechanical enhancements that genuinely increase win potential and feature engagement. Where Book of Dead set the standard for medium volatility Book-style slots, Scroll of Dead shifts the needle toward high volatility territory with a unique 6th reel unlock and expanded feature set.
Base Game & Features
The base game operates across a 5×3 reel grid with 10 paylines, creating a familiar layout that will feel instantly comfortable to anyone versed in Book of Dead-style slots. The visual presentation channels classic Ancient Egyptian aesthetics—think tomb raiding adventure rather than archaeological museum—with high-paying symbols featuring Cleopatra, the Snake, Ra, and ancient Relics alongside lower-paying card values. The Scarab symbol functions as both wild and scatter, centralising many of the game’s mechanics into a single icon.
Cleopatra serves as the premium symbol, delivering the highest payouts during base gameplay. Fill a payline with five Cleopatra symbols and you’ll land 5,000x your stake—respectable for standard play, though the real magic happens during bonus rounds.
Base Game Mechanics
Beyond the straightforward payline structure, Scroll of Dead includes a classic gamble feature that allows players to double or quadruple any winning spin by correctly guessing card colours or suits. This optional mechanic appeals to players comfortable with risk, though the double-or-nothing nature means losses revert your entire win. The volatility during base play sits at a manageable level—wins occur regularly enough to maintain engagement, though nothing particularly explosive until the bonus activates.
Scroll of Dead Free Spins
The free spins feature is where Scroll of Dead truly distinguishes itself from its predecessors. Landing 3 or more Scarab scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the bonus, awarding 8 free spins to start. From there, the feature unfolds with several compelling mechanics that separate this slot from standard Book of Dead implementations.
The 6th Reel Unlock
This is the headline feature. When free spins activate, the game automatically expands from a 5×3 grid to 6×3 grid, unlocking an additional reel that fundamentally alters winning possibilities. This seemingly simple mechanical change translates into a 50% increase in maximum win potential—from 5,000x (traditional Book of Dead) to 7,500x in Scroll of Dead. That additional reel isn’t cosmetic; it genuinely creates more payline combinations and widens opportunities for substantial wins.
Expanding Symbols During Free Spins
Play’n GO implemented an elegant mechanic here: during free spins, one random pay symbol (excluding Scarab) is selected to expand for the duration of the bonus round. Whenever this symbol lands and forms a winning combination, it expands to cover the entire reel and pays all ways—without requiring symbols to be adjacent. The random selection means the expanding symbol changes from session to session, creating mechanical variety that keeps the bonus round feeling fresh across multiple plays.
Unlimited Retrigger Potential
Additional Scarab symbols landing during free spins award 8 more spins with no retrigger limit. This is crucial information for high volatility players: you’re not capped at, say, 50 total spins. Instead, extended runs during particularly generous bonus rounds could theoretically extend indefinitely, compounding win multipliers and expanding symbol potential across an extended sequence.
Bonus Buy Feature (Regional Availability)
Scroll of Dead includes a bonus buy feature that allows players to purchase immediate access to free spins without waiting for natural scatter triggers. However, this feature faces significant regional restrictions. Bonus buy is not available at most UK-regulated casinos due to local gambling regulations. If you’re playing at a UKGC-licensed operator, you won’t see this option available. This is a regulatory requirement, not a casino choice—operators are prohibited from offering bonus buy in certain jurisdictions.
Our Honest Verdict
Scroll of Dead already has the makings of a game rich in potential thanks to the blueprints handed down by its Book of Dead ancestors, yet it meaningfully improves upon the formula. The 6th reel unlock provides genuine mechanical advantage—this isn’t marketing speak; it’s a verifiable 50% increase in maximum win potential. Combined with expanding symbols offering endless variety and unlimited retrigger capacity, the bonus round transforms into a compelling chase mechanic for high volatility enthusiasts.
Standout Strengths: The feature set is genuinely impressive. Expanding symbols keep free spins engaging through mechanical variety. The 7,500x maximum win is achievable, particularly when all reels populate with premium symbols or Cleopatra during an extended bonus run with the 6th reel active. Mobile compatibility is flawless across iOS, Android, and desktop platforms. The 96.28% RTP sits comfortably above industry averages.
Notable Drawbacks: The 9/10 volatility rating means this isn’t a game for patience-averse players. Expect significant dry spells during base gameplay; wins occur infrequently but arrive with weight when they do. Players seeking constant smaller wins will find this frustrating. The bonus buy feature unavailability at UK operators removes a potential playstyle option for players willing to pay for guaranteed bonus access.
Who This Suits: Scroll of Dead is purpose-built for high volatility chasers who understand that substantial win potential demands weathering dry spells. Fans of the Book of Dead series seeking mechanical refinement will find this upgrade worthwhile. Players comfortable with extended gameplay sessions targeting big bonus round payouts will appreciate the expanded feature mechanics. However, casual players preferring frequent smaller wins should consider lower volatility alternatives.
Final Assessment: Play’n GO have delivered a solid addition to the Book of Dead lineage that moves beyond mere iteration. The 6th reel unlock, expanding symbol mechanics, and unlimited retrigger potential create a feature-rich experience that justifies the higher volatility positioning. This is improvement through substantive mechanical innovation rather than cosmetic refinement.
Scroll of Dead FAQs
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What is the RTP of Scroll of Dead?
The RTP of Scroll of Dead is 96.28% as the primary setting. Alternative RTP values of 94.28% and 91.28% are available depending on operator configuration and local regulations. The 91.28% variant is not available at MGA-licensed casinos. -
What is the maximum win potential on Scroll of Dead?
The maximum win on Scroll of Dead is 7,500x your original bet, achievable during the free spins round with the 6th reel and expanding symbols active. This represents a 50% increase compared to the original Book of Dead slot which maxes at 5,000x. -
Is Scroll of Dead high or low volatility?
Scroll of Dead is a high volatility slot with a volatility rating of 9 out of 10. This means fewer wins occur during gameplay, but when wins do happen, they have the potential for higher payouts. Combined with the 7,500x maximum win potential, the game is suited for players who can tolerate extended periods between bonus features. -
Does Scroll of Dead have free spins?
Yes, Scroll of Dead has a free spins bonus feature triggered by landing 3 or more Scarab scatter symbols in any position. The bonus starts with 8 free spins and includes the unique 6th reel unlock (expanding the grid from 5×3 to 6×3), expanding symbols, and unlimited retrigger potential. Additional Scarab symbols during the bonus grant 8 more spins with no limit to retriggers. -
Can I play Scroll of Dead on mobile?
Yes, Scroll of Dead is fully optimised for mobile gaming and can be played on iOS, Android, tablets, and desktop devices using HTML5 technology. All features and bonuses are maintained across all devices with responsive layout perfect for smartphones and tablets. -
What are the expanding symbols in Scroll of Dead?
During free spins, Scroll of Dead randomly selects one pay symbol (any symbol except the Scarab) to act as the expanding symbol for the duration of the free spins round. When this symbol lands and forms a winning combination, it expands to cover the entire reel and pays all ways without requiring symbols to be adjacent. This dramatically increases win potential during the bonus round. -
How does the 6th reel unlock work in Scroll of Dead?
The Scarab symbol acts as both a wild and the scatter that triggers the unique 6th reel feature during free spins. When the free spins bonus starts (triggered by 3+ Scarabs), the 6th reel automatically unlocks, expanding the game grid from 5×3 to 6×3. This expansion significantly increases winning combinations and raises the maximum win potential from 5,000x (traditional Book of Dead) to 7,500x, representing a 50% increase in payout potential compared to predecessor games in the series. -
What is the minimum and maximum bet on Scroll of Dead?
Bets on Scroll of Dead range from £0.10 to £100 per spin, accommodating both casual players with smaller bankrolls and high-stakes players seeking maximum win potential. This flexible betting range ensures accessibility across different player bankroll levels.
