Spirit of the Beast Slot Review
Relax Gaming have built a recognisable portfolio featuring nature-themed slots, and Spirit of the Beast continues that tradition with North American wilderness aesthetics. Released on 22nd June 2021, this title leans into indigenous cultural imagery with animal spirits and totem pole mechanics. The game targets players seeking measured volatility with decent RTP rather than those chasing massive multiplier mechanics found elsewhere in Relax Gaming’s catalogue.
The game operates on a 5×3 grid with 15 fixed paylines and presents animal spirits as the premium symbols. Nature lovers will appreciate the high standard of realism and serene aesthetic with still lakes and tepees – graphics show top-level artistry expected from Relax Gaming. The peaceful music complements the wilderness theme without overwhelming the gameplay.
Base Game & Features
Spirit of the Beast features a 5×3 reel configuration with 15 fixed paylines paying left to right. The symbols follow a traditional hierarchy with playing card values (10 through Ace) serving as lower-paying options, whilst animal spirits deliver the premium payouts. The five animal symbols – wolf, horse, eagle, bear, and bison – represent the game’s spiritual theme, with the golden totem wild completing the lineup.
Betting accommodates a broad range of budgets, with stakes from £0.10 to £80 per spin. The RTP sits at 96.52%, which is genuinely great and well above what players consider decent. However, this sits in the context of high volatility (5/5 on Relax Gaming’s scale) with a hit frequency of 23.65% – approximately one in four spins results in a winning combination. Base game wins reach a maximum of 300x stake through the Spirit Summoner feature, positioning this firmly as a bonus-focused slot.
Spirit Summoner Feature
The Spirit Summoner is a random base game modifier that awards at the start of any spin. When triggered, the slot machine selects one of the five animal symbols – all other animal symbols are then removed from the reels, and the chosen beast expands to fill any reel it lands on, resembling a totem pole formation.
Spirit Summoner shows up surprisingly often with good results, triggering player excitement every time the feature appears. The expanded symbols create full reel coverage, increasing win potential across multiple paylines. However, the Spirit Summoner modifier is not common in base game plays – it’s the only real thing to look forward to in base spins, making the game feel dreary at times. Outside free spins, the base game isn’t exactly bursting with life – low paylines and low-value symbols don’t add up to a thrill fest.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Spirit of the Beast centres its entire feature set around the Mighty Multiplier Free Spins bonus, with an optional bonus buy route for jurisdictions where this is permitted.
Mighty Multiplier Free Spins
The free spins feature triggers when 3 scatter symbols land on the middle reels (reels 2, 3, and 4). The scatter restriction to these three reels means bonus dreams end quickly if you’re hoping for a feature trigger – you won’t find scatters on reels 1 or 5.
Once triggered, you receive 12 free spins with a unique multiplier collection mechanic. Each of the six symbol types (wolf, horse, eagle, bear, bison, and wild) has a meter positioned above the reels. Landing five full stacks of any single symbol collects that symbol’s assigned multiplier value and applies it to your total win:
- Wolf: x20 multiplier
- Horse: x50 multiplier
- Eagle: x100 multiplier
- Bear: x300 multiplier
- Bison: x1,000 multiplier
- Golden Totem Wild: x10,000 multiplier
Each additional scatter that lands during free spins awards +1 extra spin, providing retrigger potential. The maximum win reaches 10,000x stake, achievable through collecting the wild symbol multiplier during the bonus round.
The free spins feature is genuinely nice with the multiplier meters – it’s genuinely fascinating gameplay when the bonus triggers. However, everything hangs on winning the big 10,000x multiplier prize in the bonus round – other wins come across as consolation prizes. The 10,000x maximum payout sounds intriguing on paper but, in our assessment, achieving anywhere close to that headline figure is very unlikely in practice. The bonus is often unreliable due to dependence on collecting five stacks of a single symbol, creating significant variance even within the feature itself.
Bonus Buy Feature
For players in eligible jurisdictions, the bonus buy option allows direct access to the 12 free spins feature for 70x your total stake. This is pretty reasonable compared to other games where bonus buy costs can reach 100x or higher. Purchasing the feature increases the RTP to 96.71% from the standard 96.52%.
Availability depends on your country of residence – UK players cannot access this feature due to regulatory restrictions on bonus buy mechanics.
Our Honest Verdict
Spirit of the Beast delivers a solid nature-themed offering with high volatility gameplay and above-average RTP. The 96.52% return rate is genuinely attractive for those seeking player-friendly numbers, whilst the high volatility rating (5/5) positions this squarely in the realm of big win chasers willing to weather dry spells.
The Mighty Multiplier Free Spins feature provides the game’s core appeal, with the collection mechanic adding strategic interest during bonus rounds. However, the base game struggles to maintain momentum between features – with only 15 paylines and the occasional Spirit Summoner modifier, regular spins can feel repetitive. The 10,000x maximum win headline is theoretically possible but practically distant for most sessions.
Spirit of the Beast is a good game, but nothing exceptional by any means. Relax Gaming could have cranked up the excitement with more diverse free spins variants or additional base game features. The game will more than suffice for players who appreciate wilderness aesthetics and don’t mind slower-paced gameplay, though those seeking consistent base game action should look elsewhere. High volatility enthusiasts who prioritise RTP over feature frequency may find value here, but the limited mechanical diversity means this won’t satisfy players familiar with more innovative entries in Relax Gaming’s portfolio.
Rating: 6.5/10 – Decent execution with strong RTP, let down by limited feature variety and base game pacing issues.
Spirit of the Beast FAQs
-
What is the RTP of Spirit of the Beast?
The RTP of Spirit of the Beast is 96.52%. That can jump up to 96.71% when you use the Buy feature that takes you straight to the free spins round. -
What is the maximum win on Spirit of the Beast?
The maximum win in Spirit of the Beast is 10,000x your stake, available through collecting wild stacks in the Mighty Multiplier Free Spins feature. The regular single spin max win is 300x your stake. -
Is Spirit of the Beast a high volatility slot?
Yes, Spirit of the Beast has high volatility, rated 5/5 on Relax Gaming’s own volatility scale. The hit frequency is 23.65%, which is to be expected from a high volatility slot. Wins are less frequent but with higher potential. -
How many free spins does Spirit of the Beast have?
Spirit of the Beast awards 12 free spins when you land 3 scatter symbols on the middle reels (reels 2, 3, and 4). Each additional scatter that lands during the feature awards +1 spin. -
What is the bonus buy cost for Spirit of the Beast?
The bonus buy feature for Spirit of the Beast costs 70x your total stake and allows you to trigger the 12 free spins feature on the next spin. Availability depends on your country of residence. -
Can I play Spirit of the Beast on mobile?
Yes, Spirit of the Beast is available on both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. The game is optimised for smaller screens and runs smoothly without requiring any downloads of third-party software. -
What are the multiplier values in Spirit of the Beast free spins?
The multiplier values are x20, x50, x100, x300, x1,000, or x10,000 for collecting 5 stacks of wolves, horses, eagles, bears, bison, or wild symbols respectively during the Mighty Multiplier Free Spins feature. -
What is the Spirit Summoner feature in Spirit of the Beast?
The Spirit Summoner is a random feature where the slot machine selects an animal symbol at the start of a spin. All other animal symbols are removed and the chosen beast expands to fill any reel it lands on, resembling a totem pole formation.
