Secrets of Memnon Slot Review
Light & Wonder continues their ancient world exploration with Secrets of Memnon, a uniquely structured slot that breaks away from the familiar Book of Ra format. Instead of the traditional expanding reel mechanics, this game embraces a more contemporary approach with an expanding grid system, pairing it with compelling wild expansion and jewel collection mechanics that deliver substance alongside the Ancient Egyptian theme.
Released on February 13, 2025, Secrets of Memnon represents a measured approach to the increasingly saturated Egyptian slot category. The game’s design is admittedly basic—harking back to earlier styling conventions rather than pushing visual boundaries—yet the mechanics carry enough modern sophistication to engage players who prioritise functionality over flashy aesthetics.
Base Game & Features
The game operates on a 5×3 grid with 10 paylines, though this expands during gameplay. When Horus wild symbols land (appearing doubled in height across any reel), they unlock the grid’s upper rows. This expansion mechanism reaches a maximum of 5×6 with 20 paylines, fundamentally altering win potential as more combinations become available.
Expanding Wilds & Jewel Mechanics
The Expanding Wilds (Horus symbols) form the mechanical core of Secrets of Memnon. When they land, they expand vertically to cover all available positions on their reel, simultaneously collecting Jewel symbols that appear on reels 2-5. These jewels carry random cash values ranging from 0.5x to 10x your bet, creating dynamic win potential across both base and bonus play. During free spins, wilds need only land partially in view to trigger their expansion—a thoughtful design choice that maintains feature consistency without requiring full symbol visibility.
The frequent mini-cycles created by this system—consistent acknowledgment of combinations across the reels—give the game a perpetual sense of motion. Many players describe this engagement as reassuring, knowing that the game is perpetually working even when larger wins remain elusive. This contradicts the official “High volatility” classification somewhat, though the distinction reflects the gap between mathematical volatility ratings and actual player experience.
Premium Play Enhancement
Premium Play represents an optional upgrade costing 1.5x your regular stake. When activated, it triggers the Golden Flame Bonus on any win of 2x stake or higher. This bonus wheel delivers multipliers ranging from 1x to 5x, or direct free spins segments—essentially functioning as a “no-lose gamble” that guarantees a minimum return regardless of outcome. For players seeking additional enhancement opportunities, this feature offers reasonable value, though the cost consideration requires individual bankroll assessment.
Gamble Feature
A traditional gamble feature sits available on any winning spin of 2.5x bet or higher (auto-triggering at 5x with Premium Play active). Players can attempt up to 5 consecutive gambles using a 100% RTP wheel, with the option to multiply wins or access free spins directly. The mechanics remain straightforward—no exotic twists, just straightforward red/green segment selection—though the feature does accommodate strategic players who prefer controlled feature access.
Secrets of Memnon Free Spins
Free spins trigger when 3 or more Scatter symbols (Nefertiti) land on reels 3-5, awarding a starting allocation of 8 free spins. The bonus round preserves all base game mechanics—expanding wilds collect jewels with full vigour, the grid remains expandable, and win potential mirrors or exceeds base play scenarios. The crucial mechanic twist: during free spins, wild symbols require only partial visibility to trigger expansion, substantially increasing activation frequency compared to base gameplay.
Retrigger potential exists throughout the bonus round—landing additional scatters (3 or more) awards a full reset to 8 spins rather than incremental additions. This mechanic allows substantial bonus extensions, though landing the required scatter frequency during what is already an enhanced feature round shouldn’t be expected as routine. The combination of expanded grid positioning, jewel collection mechanics, and retrigger potential creates the game’s genuine win ceiling, positioning free spins as the primary feature worth pursuing.
For players accustomed to extended free spin sequences—Megaways titles routinely award 15+ spins—the starting 8 may initially disappoint. However, the retrigger design and active wild/jewel mechanics provide engagement layers that prevent free spins from feeling truncated. Whether this balances against expectation depends entirely on individual player preferences and bankroll philosophy.
Our Honest Verdict
Secrets of Memnon represents a moderately executed slot that operates comfortably within established conventions rather than pushing boundaries. The 96.19% RTP sits above industry average, and the expanding grid system with jewel collection mechanics delivers modern feature design with tangible player value. The game’s genuine strength lies in its mechanical consistency—everything functions logically, transitions feel natural, and feature interactions create genuine engagement pathways.
The substantial limitation, however, is aesthetic. The visual presentation appears somewhat dated relative to contemporary releases, particularly within the saturated Egyptian category where established titles (Book of Ra Deluxe, Gold of Persia, Temple Strike) offer either more distinctive theming or more aggressive feature volatility. The arcade-like sound design—devoid of traditional soundtrack accompaniment—further distances the experience from immersion, though this design choice remains intentional rather than accidental.
The 2,064x maximum win provides reasonable long-term value for high volatility players, though it won’t satisfy those chasing multi-5000x multipliers. Light & Wonder have positioned this fairly squarely for players seeking reliable mechanics with decent win potential rather than innovative feature arrangements or astronomical multiplier chasers. Loyal Light & Wonder enthusiasts will find sufficient merit here; casual players should assess whether the mechanical execution justifies overlooking the visual presentation limitations. Not the worst game encountered, but unlikely to win gaming industry accolades.
Secrets of Memnon FAQs
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What is the RTP of Secrets of Memnon?
The RTP of Secrets of Memnon is 96.19% at the default setting, with additional options available: 96.19%, 94%, 92%, 90%, and 87%. The 96.19% RTP is above average for online slots. -
What is the maximum win in Secrets of Memnon?
The maximum win available in Secrets of Memnon is 2,064x your stake, verified from the official Light & Wonder website. This is achieved through combinations of expanding wilds, jewel collection, and feature multipliers including the Golden Flame Bonus. -
How volatile is Secrets of Memnon?
Secrets of Memnon has high volatility according to Light & Wonder’s official classification, meaning wins are less frequent but can be larger when they occur. This is paired with an above-average RTP of 96.19%, making it suitable for players with a reasonable bankroll. Note: The frequent small line outcomes during play may feel like lower volatility, but the official volatility rating is High. -
What are the main features in Secrets of Memnon?
The main features include Expanding Wilds (Horus symbol) that fill the entire reel and open the grid to 5×6, Jewel symbols that carry cash values (0.5x to 10x bet) collected by wilds, Free Spins triggered by 3+ Scatters (starting with 8 spins and retrigger potential), Premium Play enhancement (1.5x stake for Golden Flame Bonus), and a Gamble feature for win multiplication. -
How do Free Spins work in Secrets of Memnon?
Free Spins are triggered by landing 3 or more Scatter (Nefertiti) symbols on reels 3-5 and award a starting amount of 8 free spins. During free spins, the expanding wilds (Horus symbols) and jewel collection mechanics remain active, allowing players to accumulate large wins. Wilds only need to land partially in view to trigger expansion during free spins. Additional free spins can be fully retriggered by landing 3 or more additional scatter symbols. -
What is Premium Play in Secrets of Memnon?
Premium Play is an optional enhancement feature that costs 1.5x your regular stake. When activated, it triggers the Golden Flame Bonus on any win of 2x stake or higher, offering a ‘no-lose gamble’ with a bonus wheel that can award multipliers (x1-x5) or free spins segments, giving you a shot at bigger wins with guaranteed minimum return. -
What theme does Secrets of Memnon use?
Secrets of Memnon uses an Ancient Egyptian theme based on the Colossi of Memnon and the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, featuring hieroglyphic symbols, Egyptian mythology aesthetics, and a mystical atmosphere. The game grid expands during play to reveal more of the temple setting. -
Who developed Secrets of Memnon?
Secrets of Memnon was developed by Light & Wonder (formerly IGT), a leading provider of gaming content and platforms. The game was released on February 13, 2025, as part of their portfolio of premium slot offerings.
