Syndicate is a casino-themed online slot game developed by Yggdrasil Gaming, a renowned provider of high-quality slots. The game transports players to a world of intrigue and deception as they infiltrate an underground crime syndicate. In this review, we will delve into the various aspects of the game, including its design, symbols, payouts, wilds, scatters, bonus gambling features, free spins, RTP, volatility, betting range, max win, gameplay, mobile play, player experience, and overall analysis.
Design and Theme
The game’s design is a key factor in its appeal. Syndicate Casino slot boasts an impressive and sophisticated interface that perfectly captures the essence of an underground crime syndicate. The background features a dimly lit alleyway with towering skyscrapers looming overhead. Players are surrounded by high-stakes poker games, secret meetings, and sly transactions taking place throughout the city.
The reels themselves are nestled in a wooden crate adorned with ornate details that reflect the luxurious lifestyle associated with organized crime. A bold red logo adorns the top-left corner of the screen, while subtle animations such as smoke billowing from cigars and cigarette butts burning away enhance the ambiance.
Symbols
Syndicate’s symbols include 5 low-paying playing card suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, and Jokers) accompanied by higher-value icons that are more intricately connected to the game’s theme:
- Poker Chips
- Briefcase (used for bribery)
- Cigars
- Money Stacks
Each symbol is well-designed with vivid colors that complement one another. They seamlessly blend into the background, which adds an extra layer of depth and visual appeal.
Payouts
In terms of payouts, players can expect to receive relatively standard returns for basic wins. The Poker Chips and Jokers symbols pay out 10-20x their stake value for five matches on a single line. More lucrative combinations yield:
- Briefcase (40-100x)
- Cigars (50-125x)
- Money Stacks (60-150x)
These values indicate an average RTP rate, which will be explored further in the analysis section.
Wilds
There are two wild symbols: a single wild and an expanded wild. The standard wild replaces all other icons except scatters to create new winning combinations. When three or more expanded wilds appear on the first three reels (starting from left), they unlock additional features:
- A high-paying combination of four-to-six wins
- Four bonus free spins
- Two extra wild symbols in place for subsequent rounds
Scatters
The scatter symbol, represented by a red and gold briefcase icon, triggers two types of bonuses. First is the Cash Trail Bonus that provides eight guaranteed cash rewards (ranging from 1:25 to 50x stakes). Additionally, hitting three scatters anywhere on the board initiates a Mystery Reel Bonus round with expanding wilds.
Bonus Features
There are several bonus features in Syndicate:
- The Expanding Wild feature
- Cash Trail and Mystery Reels Bonuses
- A free spins mechanism that starts after landing four-to-six high-paying combinations of expanded wild symbols
During the bonus rounds, a separate screen displays specific goals or parameters for players. To further enhance user experience, a detailed breakdown of game progress is displayed above the reels.
Free Spins
The main feature driving Syndicate’s excitement lies in its free spins mode:
- 12-15 additional free spins are activated through landing at least four high-paying combinations
- An extra wild symbol appears on each round for two rounds after initial activation
These features give players numerous chances to win big with high-stakes rewards. Keep an eye out for mystery reels, which come with guaranteed wins.
RTP and Volatility
Syndicate’s RTP value stands at 96%. The game is categorized as medium-volatility due to:
- Frequent base game payouts (approximately every two-to-three spins)
- Large returns when high-paying combinations are landed
Given the average payout frequencies, this slot leans towards a balanced gameplay experience. Players may not hit jackpots frequently but will reap regular rewards.
Betting Range
The bet range spans from 0.10€ to 100€ per spin. With two paylines offering different win amounts for each game round, players can choose their preferred betting strategy according to available funds or stake capacity. High-stake players seeking large payouts are encouraged by the maximum possible return: x3,000 times initial investment.
Max Win
Syndicate offers an impressive max payout potential of 500x stakes, which makes it ideal for players who bet high limits. It is worth mentioning that actual wins can reach higher if more scatters activate the Mystery Reels feature with bonus games within a row or near consecutive matches appear during base play.
Gameplay
Syndicate features 5 reels and ten symbols (10 standard icons + two wilds). During gameplay, users will be confronted by subtle animations adding realism to their gaming experience. Each new spin begins with the animation sequence from a briefcase being opened, followed by brief periods of smoke rising, players lighting cigars, or cash piling up.
Mobile Play
Syndicate is fully optimized for mobile devices and can run on iOS 9+ and Android v4+ systems without compatibility issues.
Player Experience
Players often comment that Syndicate provides a smooth gaming experience. As discussed earlier:
- Visual effects add an immersive atmosphere
- Realistic animation complements gameplay’s action-driven aspect
Syndicate also maintains a consistent release of winnings through free spins, wild expansions, and combinations across multiple levels, resulting in varied game sessions.
Overall Analysis
After reviewing Syndicate Casino slot thoroughly, we can conclude that the following are its key strengths:
- Engaging theme: richly detailed environments transport players to an intriguing underworld of crime
- A balanced blend of payouts with average base wins
- High-potential winnings through Mystery Reels activations and bonus features
Considering RTP, volatility levels, betting range options for diverse gameplay preferences, mobile accessibility, and appealing graphics quality – Syndicate should be considered a high-rewarding slot experience.
Some limitations include:
- Lower returns compared to some other titles in the market
- The absence of more immersive sound design (though it doesn’t detract from player engagement)
However, considering its all-round balance between entertainment value, wins distribution frequency and potential maximum payouts – we can confidently rate this title 7/10.
