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The Islamic golden age is a period of history people rarely discuss. And yet, it pushed scientific and literary thought in an era where Europe was too busy with its own affairs. It was thanks to this era of prosperity and knowledge that the caliphate was able to continue growing larger and stronger. And while its time has passed, NetEnt are still able to provide a gateway to this long-gone era through this slot.
This is an older game, so music only plays briefly after a winning combination happens. Arabian Nights’ RTP is 95.62%. This was great when it was released in 2013, but is beneath the current average. There aren’t many special features available in this NetEnt release. You have free spins with a 3x multiplier, and Wilds that double any wins that are part of it. But the best part about this slot is the fact it has a progressive jackpot.
With the rapid advancement in graphics, older games tend to look much worse than you remember them. Sadly, Arabian Nights fits this category to the T, with all the visuals looking quite basic. We could say the same thing about its gameplay, too. Nowadays, progressive jackpot slots will usually toss in bonus or two to spice things up, which is absent here. As such, we cannot recommend this NetEnt release.
Despite the progressive jackpot, this slot has a low-medium volatility. It pairs well with the simplistic bonuses that the game offers you. Both Wilds and free spins appear often, but their prizes are usually not fantastic. If you hope to land any kind of decent winning combination, you will have to get extremely lucky. But if you’re commandeering that kind of luck, you might as well go and hit the progressive jackpot!
The coin range for this NetEnt release is set between ₹1.00 up to ₹200.00 per spin. By changing their coin value and bet level, players are able to adjust their total bet. Your minimum stake is ₹10, while the maximum wager goes up to ₹2000 for each spin. This is a fantastic bet spread, one that will appeal to both casual gamblers and high rollers.
The symbols are somewhat stereotypically Arabian. There are a few playing card royals, that look like they’re made out of precious gemstones. Then you have camels, a fez, a tent, Arab shoes, and a scimitar. A suspiciously genie-like Arab person is a Wild, while the golden lamp is the Scatter. Keep an eye out for the Wild as much as possible, as it is the key to winning the progressive jackpot.
Free Spins: Collect three or more Scatters to win 15 free spins. During this bonus, all cash prizes are tripled, except for a progressive jackpot wins.
Wild Multiplier: If the Wild is part of a winning combination, the cash prize it rewards is doubled. This can be combined with the free spins for a 6x multiplier.
Progressive Jackpot: To win the progressive jackpot, players have to collect five Wilds in consecutive positions from left to right. This means you’ll be able to see the progressive jackpot coming – and feel the disappointment if you miss it.
Unfortunately, Arabian Nights just cannot compete with modern releases. The difference six years makes is too great, as mobile devices continue to become more powerful. The icons look nice and clean, but they don’t really stand out. There are no cool animations to woo gamblers, or an upbeat soundtrack to keep you invested. If you like pretty graphics, this slot will be tough to get into.
Gameplay wise, it will appeal to those who like their games simple and fast-paced. The low variance and frequent special features make it a blast to play. The progressive jackpot, as a result, is incredibly difficult to hit. We came close twice to winning, but never managed to get that all-important fifth Wild!
Our final verdict for this NetEnt release is that you should skip it. While the progressive jackpot is tempting, there are numerous other slots with the same gimmick. They offer better bonuses, a more enticing paytable, and great visuals to complete the package.
What it lacks in raw visual fidelity, it makes up for in charm and atmosphere. Everything is relaxed and chilled out, until the big wins start rolling in. Comparing it to modern releases, it holds up surprisingly well.
However, players looking to win that 2000x jackpot will have to do a bit of grinding. The high RTP is in your favour, as are the numerous bonuses. Low volatility may be a turn-off for some gamblers, but we do not see it as a negative. The large number of small prizes will keep people engaged as they chase after bigger wins!
It’s not perfect, but it was super fun to play. We hope to see more slots like Aloha! Cluster Pays from NetEnt down the line. It has our seal of approval, so go Wild! You might end up winning enough cash for an actual trip to a Pacific island with enough luck!