Scales of Dead

Scales of Dead: Slot Overview

Fittingly in some ways, Scales of Dead, an online slot from developer Play'n GO was reviewed during a time in 2023 when a ferocious heat wave was baking parts of Southern Europe. It might not end up being the only heat wave of the year either, as the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that El Niño is back. The last big El Niño was in 2016, which was the hottest year on record, and the predictions for this El Niño are - high temperatures.

One part of the world used to getting high temperatures is the land of Egypt. It's to this country players are led when sampling the online slot Scales of Dead. As the name makes clear as day, Scales of Dead is a continuation of Play'n GO's 'Book of' range and part of a wider tradition that kick-started way back in, like, the Twelfth Dynasty with the release of Book of Ra. Scales of Dead cleaves to tradition by packing in classic imagery from the genre, such as ankhs, pyramids, and seas of sand. It's okay looking but not particularly hot by Play'n GO standards.

Burrowing beneath the surface like a frantic tomb raider, we come across Scales of Dead's highly volatile math model, which the provider has rated as 9 out of 10. Be sure to check the RTP before venturing forth, as it is available with a range of configurations - the default value being 96.21%. Scales of Dead is played on a 5-reel, 3-row reelset in combination with 10 fixed paylines, where bets of 10 p/c to $/€100 may be staked.

Nine regular pay symbols and a wild/scatter symbol land throughout the game. The 5 low pays are 10 to A card royals worth 8 to 15 times the bet for a 5 OAK hit, while the high pays are what look like a jackal, a bird, an ankh, and a hooded cobra. Landing a 5 premium symbol win awards 75 to 500 times the bet.

Scales of Dead: Slot Features

As mentioned, Scales of Dead features a symbol which is both wild and scatter, so it substitutes for any regular non-expanded pay symbol and is also the symbol needed to trigger free spins. This is the golden Tomb scatter symbol, present on all reels. Hitting 3 or more Tomb scatters awards 8 free spins.

Free Spins

When triggered, one regular pay symbol is randomly chosen to become the special Expanding symbol in free spins. When enough of the Expanding Symbols land, they expand to cover all positions on their reels. Expanding symbols pay all lines from any position on the grid. They do not have to be next to each other or anything like that.

Sandstorm Free Spins

During free spins, should 2 or more Tomb Scatters land, 3 Sandstorm Free Spins are triggered. More than one Sandstorm Free Spins can be triggered during free spins. The same Expanding symbol is used in Sandstrom Free Spins. What changes during them is that an x2, x3, or x4 multiplier is applied to each special Expanding symbol. The multiplier value is randomly picked after triggering a new Sandstrom Free Spins. Also, while Sandstorm Free Spins are active, landing 2 or more Tomb scatters awards +2 additional Sandstorm Free Spins up to a maximum of 30 for each Sandstorm Free Spins trigger.

Gamble Feature

In the main game, the Gamble feature gives players a chance to multiply the total prize. Correctly guessing the colour of a face-down card doubles the win, whereas correctly guessing the suit of a face-down card quadruples the win. The gamble round can be played up to 5 times in a row.

Scales of Dead: Slot Verdict

If any slot format has captured the imagination of both players and developers alike, it's the 'Book of' format. Like grains of sand in the Sahara Desert, there are a ton of these sorts of games on the market, for good or for ill. Knowing we're going into another review of a 'Book of' slot often produces mixed feelings. On the positive side, 'Book of' slots have proven their entertainment value for years as providers make adjustments to the core rules to create relatively new experiences. Case in point are examples like Book of Shadows and Book of Power. Not every time, but often enough to keep the concept chugging along. On the con side, well, there are just so many of these it's hard to shake off a feeling of 'shoot, here we go again' when another comes along.

Scales of Dead didn't start off on the greatest foot either, simply because it looked kinda plain. No doubt, Scales of Dead has the glossy appearance often associated with an accomplished outfit like Play'n GO, but the view of the desert with pyramids in the distance is a bit plain. Strangely realistic, actually, when compared to how stylised Ancient Egypt is often portrayed in online slots. From there, we come to the gameplay, and Scales of Dead is in possession of the requisite twist. Having a special free spins section embedded within normal free spins isn't a new device per se.

Play'n GO has busted this out before in a game like Cat Wilde and the Lost Chapter. The difference in Scales of Dead's Sandstorm Free Spins is that a multiplier of x2 to x4 becomes possible. Interestingly, Play'n GO has not axed symbol values to accommodate the additional multiplier, so a full non-modified screen of the top premium remains at 5,000x the bet. Combine that event with an x4 multiplier, if it's possible, and things could get rather interesting, reaching as high as 10,000x.

Scales of Dead might not be the most exciting looking 'Book of' slot the studio has ever made, but, from a technical perspective, at least, Scales of Dead has all the goods necessary to potentially thrill players enthused by this form of action.