MonkeyPop 2

MonkeyPop 2: Slot Overview

It's been a surprisingly long while since the last one, relatively speaking, but software provider AvatarUX is back to its popping antics in the online slot MonkeyPop 2, a sequel to the first MonkeyPop slot released in 2022. The original was a breath of fresh air, marrying a well-oiled set of pop-powered features with eye-catching Asian flavoured artwork to create an all-around solid PopWins slot. Apparently, it was ripe for a sequel, because AvatarUX has returned its simians to the reels, played around with the features and produced MonkeyPop 2, which, for those who enjoyed the first one, carries a weight of expectations on its shoulders.

The original was quite a looker, packing a distinctive appearance that leapt off the screen. MonkeyPop 2 does as well, though, since the graphical style is similar, it is less eyeball-grabbing a second time around. That's not to say this is a game which will burn retinas, and the artsy Asian background, and personable monkey symbols work together to make MonkeyPop 2 another handsome slot. Both phases of play, base and bonus, are easy on the eyes, as they lay out attractive Asian style scenery for fans of the first, or newcomers, to immerse themselves in.

MonkeyPop 2 runs on a 5x3 layout with 243 ways to win, paying strictly left to right from the first reel - no pay-both-ways this time, which some players will notice right away. Volatility is dialed up to high, paired with a standard 96% RTP. As for stakes, you can spin from $/€0.10 up to $/€300 per spin. Switch on the ante bet and your wager jumps by 50%, but in return you get double the odds of triggering the bonus.

Pay symbols in MonkeyPop 2 are 9-A for the lows and a selection of monkey characters as the higher pays. Lows are worth 0.5x to 0.6x the bet for a 5 OAK hit, while highs pay 1.25x to 2.5x for 5 matching winning symbols. Wilds are used to substitute regular paying symbols to help create winning ways.

MonkeyPop 2: Slot Features

The features in MonkeyPop 2 are, of course, the integral PopWins mechanics, Monkey's Blessings, free spins with a bonus collector, and Xpress feature buys.

PopWins

Each winning symbol pops and is replaced by 2 new symbols, increasing the reel height. This process repeats as long as there are new wins. In the base game, reels can reach 6 positions high, while in free spins, they can expand to 9 positions.

Monkey's Blessings

In the base game, at random at the start of any spin, the Monkey may expand the gaming grid to its maximum size. This also activates the Global Multiplier for that spin. The Global Multiplier increments by +1 for each following hit on that spin. In the bonus game, the Monkey can randomly fill the Free Spins Collector and award +1 free spin or throw wilds on random positions.

Free Spins

Landing 3 scatters in the base game triggers free spins. At the start of the bonus round, a random selection of starting ways, number of free spins, and starting multiplier is awarded. The number of possible free spins is 7, 9, or 12, the multiplier can start on x3, x5, or x10, while the starting grid height can be 4, 5, or 7, corresponding to 1,024, 3,125, or 16,807 ways. Each individual reward can be gambled once for a possible upgrade, unless it is maxed already. Losing any gamble loses the entire bonus round.

During the bonus round, a newly landed scatter symbol increases the Bonus Collector by +1. When reaching 3, the Collector awards +1 free spin and resets the counter. The Bonus Collector can also randomly be filled by the Monkey's Blessing.

XPress Feature Buys

Players have access to two feature buys. One is the Fortune Bonus, costing 60x and awarding random starting ways, multiplier, and free spins (from the set range above). The second is Bonus Max, costing 500x, to start with 12 free spins, an x10 multiplier, and max ways.

MonkeyPop 2: Slot Verdict

Apologies for starting the verdict off with a moan, but MonkeyPop 2 didn't feel like a superior game to the first MonkeyPop slot. It actually felt like a diminution of the two. The features are similar, but reduced, if anything, with less to offer, or get excited about. What MonkeyPop 2 has that the original doesn't is the chance to gamble the random rewards when free spins trigger or are bought. This could be a fit for players who are willing to risk everything for the chance to increase free spins attributes, but it is risky too, since an unsuccessful gamble forfeits the entire bonus round, leaving unlucky players out in the cold. The gamble part of the game is optional, and probably won't be to all players' risk tolerance levels.

Putting that part of the game to the side, the rest of MonkeyPop 2 is pretty predictable stuff. Not bad stuff, but since a sizable chunk of it was already available in the first release, unless you're willing to risk it all at the optional gamble, there aren't many reasons to choose this version over the last. It certainly won't be winning potential that'll convince players sitting on the fence to give MonkeyPop 2 a try, since its 10,000x the bet top prize is half of what MonkeyPop boasted. Giving a sequel half the potential is an unconventional move, and it doesn't exactly magnify MonkeyPop 2's desirability.

All in all, MonkeyPop 2 feels more like a cautious reimagining than a bold sequel, leaving fans of the first to decide if the gamble feature alone is enough to justify the sideways steps and downgrades. There really isn't much about MonkeyPop 2 that makes it stand out as an obvious improvement. Unless the thought of risking it all to boost individual rewards in the bonus round gets your blood running, then players are probably better off sticking with the original.