Raptor 2

Raptor 2: Slot Overview

One of the most potent attributes a slot can have is the ability to multiply the values of winning symbols on the gaming area. As such, multipliers are a popular feature and software providers have conjured up numerous ways of injecting them into their games. One of the most visceral delivery methods, both visually and emotionally, is Yggdrasil Gaming's DoubleMax concept. This is a win multiplier that literally doubles on avalanching wins, which was used to devastating effect when it debuted in 2021's prehistorically themed Raptor DoubleMax. Since then, the mechanic has been used by both Yggdrasil Gaming and partners and even competitors, but few have been able to touch the original in sheer entertainment value. However, this could be about to change with the release of the sequel Raptor 2.

The sequel slings players back to an earlier era when lizards ruled the earth and Homo sapiens were but a twinkle in evolution's eye. The original release was a slot that instantly caught the attention through vibrant, glowing artwork, depicting a menagerie of dangerous beasts and dense, glowing jungle. Raptor 2 does much the same, though when the gaming area expands, symbols are smaller and slightly less impressive to look at. Nothing to complain about, though, as the graphical standard remains high, and it doesn't take huge scoops of imagination to pretend you're back in the distant past, dodging dinos long enough to survive.

Just as the win multiplier can grow, so can Raptor 2's gaming area. It begins at 5x3 in size, where there are 243 ways to win, and is able to reach 5x7 during free spins, where the ways to win mushroom to 16,807. One of the highlights is a top RTP of 97%, almost unheard of these days, though three lower return values are available, so they are something to look out for. Volatility is high, and players may stake $/€0.10 to $/€10 per spin.

Landing across the reels are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades, awarding players 0.3x to 0.4x their bet when 5 land in a way. Increasing in value from 1x to 3x the bet for 5 OAK are four higher-value dinosaur pay symbols. The wild symbol helps create wins by substituting for all paying symbols.

Raptor 2: Slot Features

The mighty DoubleMax Multiplier is back, and it is joined by free spins where the grid can expand and a trio of feature buys.

DoubleMax Multiplier

After each win, all winning symbols are removed, and a wild is added to one of the winning positions before symbols drop. New symbols fill the empty grid positions, providing another chance to win. Every avalanche win doubles the DoubleMax Multiplier. In the base game, the DoubleMax starts at x1, and the multiplier resets after a losing avalanche or spin. In the bonus round, the multiplier starts at x1 yet does not reset throughout the entire session. The max multiplier is x2,048.

Free Spins

Landing 3 scatters in the base game triggers 5 free spins on a 5x3 board, 4 scatters trigger 15 free spins on a 5x5 board, while 5 scatters award 15 free spins on a 5x7 board. Scatter wins are not multiplied by the DoubleMax. During the round, landing 3+ scatters triggers the Reel Expansion feature. If the row count is less than 7, then +2 additional rows are added to the grid each time the feature triggers up to 5x7. Should 5 scatters hit, +1 free spin is awarded, as well as any Reel Expansion. After any scatter prize is paid, scatters are destroyed, triggering an avalanche, but they do not double the multiplier or add a wild in the winning position.

Feature Buy

There are 3 feature buys in Raptor 2. Paying 80x, 240x, or 880x the bet triggers the bonus round using 3, 4, or 5 scatters.

Raptor 2: Slot Verdict

They say you just can't beat the original, and Raptor DoubleMax remains a strong game several years down the track. Raptor 2 might try to usurp it, but there are question marks over the attempt. For instance, some may view the appearance of an RTP range this time as a less desirable quality, and being faced with the 94% model (or lower) may make prospective users pause when deciding which Raptor game to load. Having said that, 97% is like gold dust in this day and age, if you can get it. In addition, certain players may prefer to try their luck with the previous Raptor slot since Raptor 2's winning potential is less than half of the original's. In a game where the win multiplier can technically grow to x2,048, winning potential is a big deal, especially with the vastly greater number of possible winning ways. Put both games side by side on the scales, and the original still manages to respectfully hold its own.

That aside, Raptor 2 is a solid game. Its artwork is handsome, and the prehistoric jungle background is as quietly dangerous as ever. More importantly, it's got the doubling up DoubleMax multiplier tucked away in its sleeve, ready for release, and when on a roll, it is able to produce quite the wild ride. But then, so could Raptor DoubleMax, so it's not until Raptor 2's grid expands during the bonus phase that it really steps out of its sibling's shadow and starts to excite in its own way. Having extra grid space is a welcome addition in a game which doubles its multiplier on every avalanche. What's nice is that grid expansion can occur from the lowest bonus round, so there is no need as such to buy the two higher bonus rounds, though starting with 15 free spins is a major advantage.

What's a little disappointing is that with all the extra room, all those extra ways to win, winning potential feels underdone at 9,493x the bet. Still, Raptor 2 is a playable game; the expanding grid idea works like a charm, but it could have hit harder, and the suspicion is that fans of the first will have been hoping for more.