In the words of the Gothic classic, 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Scottish author Rober Louis Stevenson, "All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil: and Edward Hyde, alone, in the ranks of mankind, was pure evil." The Alter Ego by Pragmatic Play delves into this duality, presenting an online slot that shifts from a modest base game to a bonus round filled with expansive possibilities.
While The Alter Ego doesn't explicitly reference Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde, the thematic connections are evident. The game transports players to a moonlit, old-fashioned street reminiscent of Victorian or Edwardian London. The city's iconic clock tower looms beneath a colossal full moon, creating a mysterious ambiance complemented by an eerie soundtrack.
The Alter Ego slot features a highly volatile gameplay, offering a default RTP of 96.07% during regular play. The base game unfolds on a 5-reel grid with a layout of 3-4-4-4-3 symbols and 576 ways to win. However, the real excitement unfolds in the free spins round, where each reel can expand to a maximum of 10 positions, unleashing a multitude of ways to win. The betting range varies from 20 cents to $/€240 per spin, with three bonus buy options available.
Winning combinations occur when matching symbols land on 3 or more adjacent reels from the leftmost reel. The lower-paying symbols include intricately designed card ranks (9 to A), reminiscent of steampunk aesthetics. Higher-paying symbols include a hat, pocket watch, pistol, and a distinguished gentleman. Logo wilds on reels 2, 3, and 4 substitute for all symbols except scatters or mystery symbols.
The Alter Ego: Slot Features
In the base game, players encounter mystery symbols represented by a '?,' transforming into the same pay symbol when in view.
Free Spins
Triggered by landing 3 or more green serum scatters, the free spins round is dynamic and engaging. Scatters reset the free spins to 3, and the round introduces the highest-paying symbol, replacing the base game's top payer. The green serum scatter is replaced by a red serum scatter, and at the start of the round, reels with triggering scatters increase by +1 symbol position vertically. Each subsequent scatter hitting on a free spin increases the respective reel's height, with a maximum of 10 positions, resulting in 100,000 ways to win.
Buy Free Spins
Players have the option to purchase free spins from the base game, with costs varying based on the scatter trigger count. The RTP for the 3 scatter trigger is 96.05%, reducing to 96.01% for 4 or 5 scatter triggers.
The Alter Ego: Slot Verdict
Familiarity with the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde novella may enhance the experience, but it's not a prerequisite for enjoying The Alter Ego. The slot lives up to its name, offering an atmospheric base game with a seemingly low feature count, only to unleash chaos and excitement during the free spins round. Landing red serum scatter symbols becomes crucial in this round, as they prolong the bonus and contribute to creating a massive grid with the potential for 100,000 ways to win. The unpredictability of the bonus round, akin to the transformative journey of Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, adds an exhilarating dimension to the gameplay.
