Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000

Pragmatic Play has taken its popular Greek mythology-inspired slot, Gates of Olympus, and given it a festive makeover with Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000. While the Christmas theme brings a touch of holiday cheer, the game retains much of the original’s exciting mechanics, making it a great choice for fans of the original game and new players alike. Zeus, the god of thunder, is now dressed in a Santa hat and robe, adding a humorous twist to the epic imagery. But does this holiday version stack up against its predecessor? Let’s dive into the features and gameplay to find out.

Gameplay and Features

Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 sticks with the same mechanics that made the original game so popular, so players familiar with the first version will feel right at home. The Pay Anywhere system is in place, meaning that you don’t need to line up symbols in specific patterns on the grid. Instead, matching symbols that appear anywhere on the screen will create a winning combination. To trigger a win, you need 8 to 12 matching symbols on the grid, with payouts ranging from small wins to the potential for significant rewards.

One of the most exciting aspects of the game is the Tumble feature, which removes winning symbols from the reels and allows new ones to fall into place. This can create additional opportunities for wins within a single spin, leading to thrilling sequences of cascading symbols. However, unlike many other slots, Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 doesn’t feature traditional Wild symbols. Instead, multipliers play a key role in boosting your winnings.

The multiplier symbols can land with values from x2 all the way up to a whopping x1,000, and they accumulate throughout tumble sequences. This means that if you manage to hit a series of wins, your total win can increase dramatically. It’s not just the base game that offers these multipliers—bonus rounds also feature global multipliers, which continue to grow without resetting between tumbles, offering exciting potential for big rewards.

Bonus Features and RTP

Landing 4, 5, or 6 Scatter symbols triggers the Bonus Round, awarding 15 free spins to start. During these free spins, multiplier symbols become even more important. Each multiplier that contributes to a win is added to a global multiplier, which can continue to grow throughout the bonus round. If you’re lucky enough to land 3+ additional Scatter symbols during the free spins, you’ll receive 5 extra spins.

For players looking to speed up their chances of entering the bonus round, Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 offers an Ante Bet feature. This costs an additional 25% per spin but doubles your chance of triggering the bonus round. Alternatively, you can directly purchase the bonus round via the Bonus Buy feature (available where permitted), guaranteeing entry to the bonus game.

While the game offers an exciting max win of 15,000x your stake, the odds of hitting this big win are a bit steeper than in the original Gates of Olympus. With a hit rate of 1 in 2,749,771 spins, it’s not exactly an easy feat, but it’s still a solid payout potential compared to many other slots.

Graphics and Sound

The visuals in Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 are classic Greek mythology with a Christmas twist. Zeus, dressed in a red robe and Santa hat, adds some humor to the proceedings, though the Christmas theme itself feels more like a light reskin rather than a fully immersive festive experience. The backdrop features a snow-covered Greek temple, and the soundtrack is festive but without the typical jingle bells you’d expect from a Christmas-themed slot, which gives the game a more relaxed holiday feel.

Final Thoughts

Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 offers an entertaining blend of festive charm and high-stakes action. While the Christmas theme could have been taken a bit further, the core gameplay remains solid, with plenty of opportunities to rack up multipliers and trigger the exciting bonus features. If you’re in the holiday spirit and want a slot that feels both familiar and festive, Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 is worth a spin.

However, if you’re more focused on chasing big wins, the original game might still be the better option due to its slightly higher hit rate for the max win. Ultimately, Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 is a fun variation that adds a bit of holiday magic to an already popular slot, and it could be a great way to enjoy some seasonal spins while you wait for the new year.