By Clae 
Theme and Storyline
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead takes players on a thrilling adventure through the mysteries of ancient Egypt, featuring a main character who channels the spirit of Nathan Drake from the world of video games. Unlike previous slots inspired by Indiana Jones, this time Rich Wilde embarks on a quest involving hieroglyphics, sarcophaguses, and the legendary Book of Dead.
With a familiar backdrop of ancient tombs and treasures, the game stays true to the iconic formula of games like Book of Ra. The design is crisp and updated, with enhanced graphics that make it visually appealing, while keeping the atmosphere of ancient Egypt alive. If you’ve enjoyed similar slots, such as Book of Ra, you’ll find Book of Dead to be a polished yet familiar experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| High volatility | Standard animations and sound effects |
| Dual-function Book symbol (wild and scatter) | Lacks distinct adventure movie flair |
| Expanding symbol feature in free spins | Minimal features in the base game |
| High-quality graphics and polished design | High volatility may not suit all players |
| RTP of 96.21% | |
| Free spins can be retriggered | |
| Flexible betting range |
Graphics, Sounds, and Animations
The graphics in Book of Dead are a noticeable improvement over older games, with a higher resolution and more refined artwork. While the visual enhancements bring a fresh shine to the reels, the design remains faithful to the ancient Egyptian theme, offering a clean and classic feel.
Sound-wise, the music sets a fitting desert atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. The sound effects, though improved, are still quite standard for Play’n Go games, with little to distinguish them from their other slots. Unfortunately, the animations lack the flair of adventure films, which could have taken the game to another level.
Gameplay
The Book of Dead slot is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 10 configurable paylines. You can adjust the number of active paylines between 1 and all 10, allowing for flexible betting options. The base game is straightforward, with wins occurring when matching symbols land on active paylines. For added excitement, the gamble function lets players take a risk after each win, offering the chance to increase volatility and potentially hit larger payouts.
Wilds, Bonuses, and Free Spins
One of the standout features of Book of Dead is the Book symbol, which serves dual purposes as both a wild and a scatter. As a wild, the Book substitutes for other symbols to help complete winning combinations. As a scatter, it can appear anywhere on the reels and still trigger a payout.
When 3 or more Book symbols appear, the free spins round is triggered, giving players 10 free spins. Before the free spins begin, a special expanding symbol is randomly chosen. This symbol can expand to cover entire reels, creating more opportunities for wins. During the free spins, if 3 or more Book symbols land, the feature is retriggered, adding another 10 spins to your total.
Bet Sizes, RTP, and Variance
With a return to player (RTP) rate of 96.21%, Book of Dead falls within the standard range for most online slots. Betting starts as low as $/£/€0.01 per line, while the maximum bet reaches $/£/€100 per spin, allowing for a wide range of players to enjoy the game.
The game’s high volatility (rated 10/10 by Play’n Go) makes it a good fit for players who enjoy the thrill of big wins but understand the risks involved. High volatility means that wins are less frequent, but the potential payouts can be substantial, especially during free spins.
Conclusion
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead has solidified its place as one of the most popular slots in the online casino world. The combination of an exciting ancient Egyptian theme, high volatility, and a decent RTP makes it an appealing choice for many. The immersive free spins feature and expanding symbols add layers of excitement to the gameplay.
While it may not offer groundbreaking features, it certainly delivers in terms of solid gameplay, high stakes, and ample chances for big wins. Whether you’re a fan of ancient Egypt or just love high-volatility slots, Book of Dead is a must-try game that will keep you coming back for more!
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