Lava Coins

Lava Coins Slot Review

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of Lava Coins. This little firecracker comes to us from the clever folks over at 3 Oaks Gaming, and they’re planning to unleash it in December 2024. Now, I know, that feels like ages away, but good things come to those who wait, eh? And from what I’ve seen, this one’s shaping up to be a proper sizzler. It’s not just about spinning reels; it’s about the whole Hold & Win shebang, chasing after not one, not two, but four jackpots, and a rather intriguing "Volcano Metro" that sounds like it keeps the excitement bubbling. Honestly, it’s the kind of game that makes you lean in a little closer to your screen, you know?

Let's Talk Theme, Style, and Stats

What’s the actual story with Lava Coins? Well, it’s pretty straightforward but in a good way, I reckon.

The Story: Classic Fruits Meet Volcanic Fury!

Basically, you’re spinning away on what feels like a classic 3-reel setup, with your cherries and your sevens – all very comforting. But then, there’s this whole volcanic eruption theme going on in the background, with lava bubbling and everything looking a bit, well, hot! It’s like your favourite local pub’s fruit jack slot decided to go on an adventure holiday to Mount Doom. The idea is that amongst all this fiery chaos, there are some seriously valuable coins and jackpots just waiting to be unearthed. It’s a simple premise, sure, but it’s one that gets you right into the action, looking for those molten wins.

Looks Hot, Sounds Hotter: The Sights & Sounds

Visually, it’s quite striking, actually. The game boasts these brilliant graphics, with the reels set against a backdrop of bubbling lava – it’s all very dynamic and keeps you on your toes. The symbols themselves are pretty sharp, a mix of classic fruit icons and these special fiery coins that just scream "pick me!" And the sound? They’re promising "electrifying guitar riffs" and "high-energy features," so I’m expecting something that really gets the heart pumping. You know, the kind of soundtrack that makes every spin feel like a mini event.

The All-Important Stats

For the bits that, let's be honest, we all want to know. Here’s a little table of what we’ve got so far:

It's worth remembering that the paytable is dynamic, so what you see in terms of payouts will adjust depending on your selected bet, which is always handy, isn't it?

Demystifying the Gameplay

Let's talk about how this fiery beast actually plays. It’s not just about pretty pictures, is it?

The Setup: Reels, Rows, and Fiery Ways to Win

At its heart, Lava Coins is a 3-reel, 3-row slot with 5 fixed paylines. So, it’s got that classic, compact feel, which I personally quite like. Wins pay from left to right, and if you get wins on different paylines at the same time, they all get added up – lovely! Only the highest win per line is paid, standard stuff, really.

The Symbols That Make It Sizzle

This is where things start to heat up, literally!

• Wild Symbol (Red Sevens): These lucky sevens are your best mates, appearing on all reels and substituting for all other symbols except the special ones. So, pretty useful for cobbling together a win.

• Bonus Symbol (Gold Coin): These shiny gold discs pop up on reels 1 and 3 only. They don’t pay out in the main game, but they’re your ticket to the Bonus Game, so keep an eye out! Some of these just have cash values from 1x to 15x.

• Collect Symbol (Fiery Lava Coin): Now this one’s a bit special. It only lands on reel 2 and its job is to gather up all the Bonus symbols currently on the board. Very important, this fella.

• Jackpot Symbols: These are the big daddies! You’ve got Mini (25x), Minor (50x), Major (150x), and the absolutely massive Grand (2000x) Jackpot symbols. These are what you’re really hoping to see, I imagine!

Beyond Basic Spins: What Makes It Special?

The game isn't just about matching symbols; there are a few more layers to it. The Hold & Win game is clearly the star attraction. Then there’s the Collect feature, where that special Collect symbol scoops up values. And let's not forget the Volcano Metro – this feature apparently tracks all the Bonus and Collect symbols you land, and it seems to be a way to help trigger or perhaps even enhance the Hold & Win Bonus, with chances to land more of those precious Bonus, Jackpot, and Collect symbols. It sounds like a kind of progress meter, which can be quite engaging.

Turning Up the Heat: The Lava Coins Bonus Features!

This is where the temperature really cranks up! You're looking at a proper Hold & Win experience, which, if you ask me, is always a bit of a thrill.

The Main Event: Let's Talk Hold & Win!

To get into this much-anticipated Bonus Game, you need to land two Bonus symbols (on reels 1 and 3, remember) and one Collect symbol (on reel 2) all at the same time. Once you’re in, you get 3 respins to start with. During this round, only Bonus symbols, those exciting Jackpot symbols, and Collect symbols will appear on the reels. And here’s a nice touch: any new Bonus symbol that lands resets your respins back to 3. Plus, any Collect symbols that got you into the bonus, or land during it, will stick around for the duration of the feature, which is just brilliant because their job is to gather all the values from the Bonus and Jackpot symbols on the board. You can even land several Collect symbols, each doing their gathering job!

Did Someone Say Jackpots? Oh Yes, They Did!

Now, those Jackpots! We've got the Mini at 25x your bet, the Minor at 50x, the Major at 150x, and the absolutely scorching Grand Jackpot which is a whopping 2000x your bet! These can appear during the Hold & Win Bonus Game. And get this, there's a mention of an "ultimate twist" where landing all three Collect symbols (which implies filling reel 2 with them in the bonus, perhaps?) along with the Grand Jackpot symbol could potentially triple that Grand Prize up to an eye-watering 6,000x! Now that’s what I call a proper payout potential.

What's This "Volcano Metro"?

As I touched on earlier, the Volcano Metro sounds like a neat little persistent feature in the main game. It keeps track of the Bonus and Collect symbols you land. The idea is that this tracking helps to trigger the Hold & Win Bonus game, and it also gives you more chances to land more Bonus, Jackpot, and Collect symbols. It adds a nice layer of anticipation to the base game spins, knowing you're building towards something.

The "Extra Bonus Game" Whisper

There's also mention of an "Extra Bonus Game." Apparently, every bonus symbol of any type that lands on the reels during the main game increases the chance of triggering this. It can only be triggered during the main game. What this Extra Bonus Game actually is or what it does, well, the details are a bit sparse on that front from what I've seen so far, but just knowing there's another bonus lurking adds a bit of mystery, doesn't it?

How You Can Activate All of Those Bonuses?

Activating these features is pretty much all about those special symbols, isn't it? For the main Hold & Win, you’re gunning for those two Bonus symbols on reels 1 and 3, plus the Collect on reel 2. For the Extra Bonus Game, it seems like patience and consistently landing any type of bonus symbol will eventually get you there. The Volcano Metro is your friend here, too, as it seems to actively help build up to the main feature.

The Winning Potential

The winning potential here really revolves around those jackpots, especially that Grand one. Getting 2,000x your stake is a pretty hefty sum, and that potential (though likely very rare) triple to 6,000x is the sort of thing that makes you sit up and take notice. Even the smaller jackpots and the regular bonus symbol values collected during the Hold & Win can add up to something rather nice, I'd imagine.

What’s the Final Word on This?

So, what's the final word on Lava Coins, then? Well, from what I've gathered, it’s looking like a pretty exciting addition to the 3 Oaks Gaming lineup. It takes a classic, almost comfortingly familiar 3-reel fruit machine setup and injects it with a whole load of fiery Hold & Win action and jackpot chasing. I think it’s got a good balance.

For players who love a straightforward slot but still want the thrill of a big bonus feature and the chance to hit some juicy jackpots, this one could be right up your alley. It’s probably not for those who want thousands of paylines or super complex mechanics, but for a good, solid, potentially very rewarding spin, it seems to tick a lot of boxes. Newbies might find the 3-reel setup easy to get into, while seasoned players will appreciate the Hold & Win and jackpot chase. And if you fancy another engaging spin, you might also want to give the Big Bamboo slot a go.