Book of Ra is probably the most popular slot by Novomatic. It produced a deluxe version, the 6-reel version, several other “Book of Ra” games with similar rules, and a countless number of copycats. All of it started in 2005 with the classic Book of Ra we’re about to review.
You may say that the game looks old by modern standards. That’s because it’s old. Seriously, give it a break, it’s been around for 12 years. The overall theme is as Egyptian as it can get - scarabs, sarcophaguses, The-Hatted-Dude-Who’s-Totally-Not-Indiana-Jones-For-Copyright-Reasons, and so on. There’s just one special symbol (the Book) that combines the function of the scatter and the wild.
One may say that the game looks old by modern standards. That’s because it’s old.
Gameplay
In the main games there’s not much action going on. With only 9 lines, the winning combinations are rather rare, although the payouts are rather high. The Book symbols helps, substituting other symbols and increasing the chances of a winning combination. The action starts when you get three or more Books on the reels.
Regardless of the number of Books, you get 10 free spins. Before they begin, one of the symbols becomes the Chosen One, wakes up in a cocoon, puts on a black trench coat and heads off to kick the agents’ asses. Nah, not really. It just becomes a special symbol that expands to cover the whole reel.
What’s even better, is that the symbol pays even on non-adjacent reels, and on all lines played. The free spins can be re-triggered if you get more Books symbols (3+).
Our Opinion
Book of Ra is a classic slot by Novomatic, that have not only stood the test of time, but influenced the whole slot industry. That being said, there are not many reasons to play it these days, when there’s the Book of Ra deluxe version (same stuff, but with updated graphics). The free spins with an expanding symbol are still great though.
Click here to play Book of Ra to know where it all began, if nothing else.
