Viking's Chess - Review, Demo Play, Payout, Free Spins & Bonuses

Introduction

The full title of this game is Viking’s Chess The Conqueror’s Game, but only time will tell if you will come out on top if you embark on this particular battle. Based on a historic army-themed board game, this 5x5 grid is bursting with Nordic excitement, from its dramatic soundtrack to its cascading symbols, wild action and free spinning bonuses.

Viking's Chess Theme and Storyline

This game has a unique theme, as it is based on a board game from Scandinavia known as Hnefatafl, or King’s Table. The games were popular in medieval times and are also known as Tafl games. They have their history in both Nordic and Celtic traditions and were strategy games that were played on latticed or chequered game boards using two armies which, slightly oddly, had uneven numbers. In the traditional game, the two armies compete and the king’s army starts from the board’s centre. The aim is to get the king to a corner of the board whilst the opposition attempts to capture the king.

The name of this slot gives you an indication of the slant this game takes when it comes to the traditional game, and from the outset, with the axe-adorned splash screen, there is no shortage of Viking-related symbolism on show. The soundtrack is also unapologetically Viking-inspired and certainly adds drama to the proceedings. If this is a good choice of theme for you, then you may also enjoy the Vikings Unleashed Megaways slot.

Viking's Chess RTP and Variance

The theoretical return to player rate of this game is 95.45 per cent. This is slightly below the average of 96 per cent that is often found with online slots. Viking’s Chess is also a high-volatility game, which may feel too risky for some players.

How to Play Viking's Chess

Get started playing this exciting slot with the following top tips in your mind:

1. Click on the coin stack next to the spin tab to choose your bet. You can then use the sliding scale to set your coin value from 2.50 to 0.01. These amounts are reflected in the Bet circle. Click on the Max button if you want to jump straight to the top stake per spin.
2. The forward arrow next to the spin button opens a range of settings. These include the sound options and the autospin settings.
3. Your playing balance is displayed beneath the reels, as is your chosen bet and the value of any wins that appear.
4. The three-line menu tab is a one-stop shop for all of the game’s settings. This is also where you go if you want to read the game rules and view the paytable.

Viking's Chess Bet Sizes & Paytable Wins

Bet from 0.20 to 50.00 per spin on this Viking-themed game. This is not one of the widest range of betting options available in the world of online slots, but there are quite a few choices and this should satisfy all but the seriously high-rolling players.

Wins are paid out for at least three matching symbols that are connected either horizontally or vertically. Any combination of a trio or more of the queen or king symbols will pay out a prize, and all wins are calculated as a multiplier of your chosen coin value.

All winning combinations will trigger what is known at the Gravalanche Feature. This is when the win amount is added to your balance and all of the matching symbols explode and disappear, allowing the icons above to fall down and replace those that have gone, This offers another chance of creating winning combinations.

The wins on offer for five matching symbols include:

Blue king - 120

Green queen - 120

Any king or queen combination - 60

Green stone - 40

Pink stone - 40

Blue stone - 40

Purple stone - 40

Max-win 3,443x

Volatility High

Top RTP 95.45%

Viking's Chess Bonus Features

This choice of Netgaming online slots has a nice selection of bonus features, including the avalanche or Gravalanche that follows each win. Wild symbols can also play a big part in the game and have a slightly more advanced role compared to many other online slots. As well as playing a traditional substituting role, wilds can land on one of four Home Hotspots in the corners of the grid. They could also land in the King’s Hotspot in the centre. These don’t explode and can stay in place to help create more wins as a result of the Gravalanche feature.

If one of the wilds lands on what is known as the King’s Hotspot, it will turn adjacent symbols wild, whilst the Home Hotspots offer a 2x multiplier to wins if a triggering wild lands there. It is possible to get a five-line winning combination with two separate Home Hotspot wilds, for example, and, in this case, the multipliers will multiply with each other, creating quadruple wins.

If you manage to land at least three wilds on hotspots, then you will trigger the Viking’s Chess free spins bonus. The number of free games you get will depend on how many wilds land. The choices are:

Three hotspot wilds - three free spins

Four hotspot wilds - four free spins

Five hotspot wilds - five free spins

Viking's Chess Review

We love something different, and that is what you get with the Viking’s Chess game. The historic theme is as interesting as it is exciting, and the game's features successfully add to the adrenalin-boosting entertainment on offer. The high volatility certainly gets the heart racing, almost as much as the slot’s soundtrack, whilst the Gravalanches extend the excitement with every round you play.
 

Disclaimer: Viking's Chess trademark / license is owned by NetGaming. This site is not endorsed by NetGaming.