Pragmatic Play
Gates of Olympus
About Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus is a flagship title from industry giants Pragmatic Play that transports players directly to the summit of Mount Olympus. Released in February 2021, this online casino slot quickly became a fan favourite. It frequently draws comparisons to the studio's other hit, Sweet Bonanza, due to its shared mechanics. However, Gates of Olympus trades the sugary aesthetics for a more serious and high-voltage theme centred around Zeus, the Father of Gods. The game is built on a 6x5 grid and utilizes a ""Pay Anywhere"" mechanic. This means standard paylines are a thing of the past. Instead, wins are generated by landing matching symbols anywhere on the screen provided there are enough of them.
The theme is steeped in Ancient Greek mythology and features marble pillars, flames, and the imposing figure of Zeus floating beside the reels ready to strike with lightning bolts. It is a high-volatility game rated 5/5 on Pragmatic Play’s variance scale. This appeals to players looking for significant payout potential rather than frequent small wins. With an RTP of 96.50% and a maximum win capped at 5,000x the stake, the game offers a thrilling balance of risk and reward. It stands out in the crowded genre of Greek mythology slots by focusing heavily on multipliers and cascading wins to create dynamic gameplay where a single spin can lead to a long chain reaction of payouts.
How to Play to Gates of Olympus
Playing Gates of Olympus is straightforward despite the unconventional grid. The game does away with traditional left-to-right paylines. To form a winning combination, you simply need to land eight or more matching symbols anywhere on the 6x5 grid. The position does not matter as long as the requisite number of symbols are present. Once a winning combination is paid out, the Tumble Feature kicks in. The winning symbols vanish from the screen and the remaining symbols drop to the bottom. This allows new symbols to fall from above to fill the empty spaces. This tumbling process continues until no new winning combinations appear.
Before you begin spinning, you can adjust your wager using the plus and minus buttons on the interface. The betting range is generally flexible and accommodates both casual players and high rollers. Players also have the option to toggle the ""Ante Bet"" feature on the side of the screen. By increasing the bet multiplier by 25% you double your chances of triggering the Free Spins round because more Scatter symbols are added to the reel strips. Note that the paytable values for symbol wins remain the same even when the Ante Bet is active.
Gates of Olympus Symbols and special features
The paytable in Gates of Olympus is divided into lower-paying and higher-paying categories designed to fit the divine aesthetic. The lower-value symbols are represented by various gems in different shapes and colours including blue, green, yellow, purple, and red. The red gem is the most valuable of this lot. The higher-paying symbols are specific artefacts belonging to the gods. These include a Golden Chalice, a Ring with a Ruby, an Hourglass, and a Golden Crown. The Crown is the premium standard symbol and pays out significantly more for clusters of 12 or more.
The most exciting aspect of the base game is the Multiplier Feature. Zeus hovers on the right side of the screen and may randomly activate at any time to throw a winged orb onto the reels. These orbs come in four colours which are Green, Blue, Purple, and Red. They carry a random multiplier value ranging from 2x up to a mighty 500x. If a multiplier orb lands during a tumble sequence, its value is held until the end of the tumble. If multiple orbs land, their values are added together and applied to the total win of that spin sequence.
Gates of Olympus Bonus Rounds
The base game is action-packed thanks to the Tumble and Multiplier features, but the core excitement lies in how these mechanics interact. Technically, the ""bonus"" in the base game is the random appearance of the multiplier orbs. Unlike many other slots where multipliers are restricted to specific reels or bonus rounds, Gates of Olympus allows these massive boosters to drop on any spin.
When a Tumble sequence concludes, all multiplier values present on the screen are summed up. For example, if you land a 10x orb and a 5x orb during a cascade of wins, the total win for that sequence is multiplied by 15x. This mechanic ensures that even smaller symbol wins can transform into substantial payouts if Zeus decides to be generous with his lightning bolts. This unpredictability keeps the base game engaging while you hunt for the main event which is the Free Spins.
Gates of Olympus Free Spins
The Free Spins feature is the crown jewel of Gates of Olympus. It is triggered by landing four or more Zeus Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. This awards an initial payout of 3x, 5x, or 100x your stake depending on the number of Scatters and grants you 15 Free Spins.
The mechanics change slightly but significantly during this round. The game introduces a Total Multiplier concept. Whenever a multiplier symbol lands and results in a win, the value of that multiplier is added to the Total Multiplier counter displayed on the left side of the screen. This global multiplier does not reset between spins. For the duration of the round, any new winning spin that includes a multiplier symbol will be boosted by the current Total Multiplier plus the value of the new symbol. This escalating multiplier mechanic is the key to hitting the game's 5,000x max win. Furthermore, landing three or more Scatters during the round retriggers the feature and awards an extra 5 free spins.
Gates of Olympus Theme and Graphics
Visually, Gates of Olympus is a masterpiece of digital slot design. Pragmatic Play has opted for a vibrant and comic-book aesthetic that feels energetic and powerful. The backdrop depicts the entrance to the realm of the gods with purple skies, white marble floors, and burning braziers. Zeus is animated beautifully. His eyes glow blue and he actively participates in the game by raising his thunderbolt to summon multipliers.
The sound design complements the visuals perfectly. The soundtrack is an orchestral and epic composition that builds tension as the reels spin. Sound effects for winning combinations are crisp, and the thunderous crash when a multiplier orb hits the reels adds a tactile sense of weight to the gameplay. The combination of high-definition graphics and immersive audio creates an engaging atmosphere that captures the grandeur of Greek mythology.
Gates of Olympus Mobile experience
Pragmatic Play is known for its mobile-first approach and Gates of Olympus is no exception. Built using HTML5 technology, the game is fully optimized for mobile devices including smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android.
The 6x5 grid scales perfectly to smaller screens to ensure that symbols remain distinct and easy to read. The user interface is intuitive with spin buttons and bet settings repositioned for touch controls. Players can choose to play in portrait or landscape mode with no loss of functionality or graphical fidelity. Whether you are playing on a desktop at home or on a mobile device on the go, the gameplay remains smooth provided you have a stable internet connection.
Gates of Olympus Real money
When playing Gates of Olympus for real money, it is vital to remember the game's high volatility. High variance means that the game may go through dry spells where wins are infrequent followed by short bursts of high-value wins. This math model requires careful bankroll management.
Players should set a budget before they begin and utilize the adjustable bet sizes to ensure they can sustain gameplay long enough to potentially trigger the bonus features. The Ante Bet is a real money feature that increases the cost per spin, so players should calculate if the increased cost aligns with their budget. Always gamble responsibly and use the tools provided by the casino to manage your time and spending.
Three FAQs for Gates of Olympus
What is the RTP of Gates of Olympus?
The theoretical Return to Player (RTP) for Gates of Olympus is 96.50%. This is slightly above the industry average for online slots, which makes it a favourable choice for players over the long term, though individual sessions can vary greatly due to volatility.
What is the maximum win in Gates of Olympus?
The maximum win is capped at 5,000x your total stake. If the total win of a free spins round or a base game spin reaches this amount, the round ends immediately. The win is awarded and any remaining spins are forfeited.
Is Gates of Olympus a high volatility slot?
Yes, Gates of Olympus is rated as very high volatility. This means wins are less frequent on average but have a higher chance of being large when they do occur. This is largely due to the multiplier mechanics.