Introduction
Released in 2020 by a well-established developer, Wild Ape is an online slot machine that combines elements of jungle adventures with ancient myths to create a unique gaming experience. This review delves into every aspect of the game, including its theme, mechanics, and design choices.
Gameplay Mechanics
The first thing players notice about Wild Ape is its unorthodox 3×5 grid layout with 243 ways to win. Instead of traditional paylines, this setup allows for numerous Wild Ape combinations across a relatively compact reel set. The machine features medium-high volatility, indicating that the frequency and size of wins can fluctuate greatly.
Wilds are a crucial part of Wild Ape’s core mechanics. They act as both substitutes and multipliers when appearing in winning combinations. However, what makes them truly special is their ability to trigger a range of bonus features outlined below.
Symbols & Animations
The visuals in Wild Ape showcase the developers’ attention to detail, with lush jungle foliage serving as the background for an assortment of primordial creatures. Standard symbols include ancient stones, masks, and other artifacts unearthed from forgotten civilizations.
Animations are equally engaging, with the game’s logo – a stylized ape’s head surrounded by vines and flowers – performing an impressive entrance at the start of each spin. Creatures like the Komodo dragon, Sabertooth tiger, and Woolly mammoth provide the main character cast, while higher-paying icons feature various ancient humans.
Wild Symbols & Scatter Icons
The Wild Ape logo serves as a wild symbol when appearing on reels 2-5 and is accompanied by the words "Free Games" written in smaller text. This unique icon does not substitute for other symbols but instead acts as a scatter, prompting access to one of several bonus features.
Three or more scatters trigger the Free Game feature, awarding an initial 10 free spins with retrigger potential.
Bonus Features
Wild Ape boasts multiple paths through its various bonuses:
- Free Games : As previously mentioned, this is triggered by three or more scatter logos and starts as a basic 10-spin bonus round. However, additional scatters during the feature extend it for up to an additional five spins per occurrence.
- Monkey Free Spins : Involves multiple monkeys jumping into a fruit bowl; collecting these awards a multiplier of x1-x5. Collecting all five fruits multiplies by a factor of 15x to 25x and offers retrigger potential throughout the feature’s length.
- Primal Storm Feature : Whenever three or more scatter logos appear on any consecutive reels during this bonus, players receive an additional five spins for each occurrence.
- Dino Bonus : A group of dinosaurs appears at random after a losing spin; if they surround one wild symbol and it forms part of a winning combination, the Dino Bonus activates. The first activation rewards 10 free games with up to four re-activations – provided new dinosaurs appear.
Reels & Grid Mechanics
Wild Ape features six unique reels arranged in three rows across an area measuring approximately 5×3 inches on standard mobile devices. Given its non-traditional setup, winning combinations often take on diverse patterns and fewer symbols are required to form a paying combination than what’s typical of more traditional games.
While this is certainly interesting from a design perspective, the actual impact might be felt more in-game, potentially producing larger-than-usual rewards due to increased multiplier potential during Free Game features or Wild appearances.
Game Balance
In terms of RTP (Return-to-Player), Wild Ape holds an advertised 96.2%. This can vary across specific jurisdictions and operator platforms due to the developers’ policy not to hard-code a universal value but rather provide this figure as a reference point.
Volatility is described by its manufacturer as ‘medium-high’. High volatility implies that, while players may experience short, intense periods of profitability with large sums won during bonus features, losses between wins can also occur more frequently and be more substantial in size.