Fortunium

The game’s design draws inspiration from the ‘Steampunk’ genre, science-fiction substrata. Serving as a meeting point between the ultramodern, zany, and highly technological, it also takes inspiration from the mechanical splendour of the nineteenth-century industrialisation era. A curious blend for some, but fans of the weird and wonderful, Microgaming’s title offers a degree of imagination, intrigue, and an absorbing, if not always compelling, uniqueness. Slap, bang in the middle of the absurdity is Victoria and Maximillian, who assume the roles of explorer and inventor, respectively.

Fortinium encompasses several special features, which include a ‘Mystery Symbols’ bonus and a free spins round. The pay-out potential for each is sizeable, although both features are rather simplistic in nature.

The ‘win booster’ button adds an interesting dynamic to proceedings, with players able to trade in a sum 1.5x their current stake to set the function in motion. The booster strips out all low-value reel icons, with only wilds and the more lucrative symbols remaining, adding an interesting dimension to the risk/reward decision-making process.

Free spins are triggered when three or more scatter symbols descend on the pay table, which materialises in the form of a vivid green crystal ball. Upon allocation, players will receive ten free spins, with additional spins earned each time the scatter symbol re-appears. A number of ‘mystery’ reels, contingent on the number of scatters produced to activate the bonus, will be present for the duration of the free spins round. In similarity to the ‘win booster’ initiative, these specific reels exclusively contain wilds and the highest-value symbols.

The ‘Mystery Symbols’ special feature involves a question-marked box, which opens up to showcase a randomly generated symbol that, in turn, adapts to support any suitable combination on the pay grid.

This slot, produced by software firm Microgaming, certainly isn’t one of the developer’s most exemplary efforts. Released earlier this year with much fan fair, the game flatters to deceive, with its emporium-style branding little more than a gimmick.

A lack of accompanying music creates a deafening silence, with players expecting to be greeted with the whirrs and thuds of the mechanisms that appear. Furthermore, a hazy, polluted background landscape, complete with non-descript skyscrapers, adds to this sense of a low-key, counter-productive atmosphere.

The characters at least offer some jovial respite, with Victoria looking like a promiscuous time-traveller and Maximillian a cross between a mad-cap scientist and an eccentric art dealer.

For those keen to further indulge in slot games from Microgaming, why not try 11 Enchanting Reels or Links of Ra

If you’re keen to spin the reels of more slots with a sci-fi or zombie theme, why not try xWays Hoarder Split? Or, if you’re looking for something different, why not spin the reels of Clash of the Seraphim

The pay table contains 25 separate boxes organised in a five-by-five reel matrix. Per standard slots protocol, playing card icons carry modest worth, whilst ‘picture’ symbols are given premium values. Fortinium has five top-end symbols, represented by a bronzed zeppelin, an over-flowing treasure chest, Victoria’s prized nerf gun, the roaming explorer herself, and of course, the maverick Maximillian.

The two distinctive character symbols can extend across the length of any given reel and therefore act as auxiliary multipliers in both base game and bonus play – not that these two individuals need any other reason to stand out. Victoria, a corset-clad, weapon-wielding temptress with an alluring glare, and Maximillian, a bearded cape enthusiast sporting a leg brace and bowler hat, aren’t exactly the most discreet of individuals.

A fairly uninspiring wilds symbol occasionally enters the fray, recognisable by a simple ‘W’ mounted on a metal plate. At least returns are ample when they land, with an 800x line wager amount as a possible outcome.

Users are able to stake incremental amounts up to the £125 threshold, with the lowest bet option at £0.20 per spin. Wagers are calculated via a coin size and coins per line system, which enhances the number of stake options accordingly. The ‘win booster’ button brings an element of complexity, but the feature is fairly easy to master once a player begins to find their feet.

In truth, the cogs, bells and whistles suggest the game might be a little more challenging to navigate than an average slot. Still, the reality is the complicated-looking décor is largely incorporated to enhance the Steampunk theme merely.