Epic Gems
The wombat says: Do you remember Minesweeper – the game that came installed with every PC? It was an absolute geek classic. The aim was to clear a grid containing a number of hidden mines without detonating any of them. But what does all this have to do with slots? Well, Wombat Fans, because Epic Gems slot is based on the pick and boom principle of Minesweeper. That’s why!
Game Play
To be honest, we aren’t sure whether Epic Gems even qualifies as a traditional game like the Munchers slot or Fruit Fiesta. In fact we think its guessing game, similar to Minesweeper or even that great big nerd-fest Battleships. Instead of spinning reels, here, you’re picking multi coloured gemstones from an asteroid field that’s made up of a 5 x 8 gem-filled grid. The game also features some sleek graphics, cool special effects and a space-age background soundtrack.
But here’s the catch: Hidden among the 40 sparkling diamonds, there are also 4 great big bloody bombs. And if you should pick one of these mines instead of a cash-prize gem, then ‘boom!’ it will explode. Which means game over for you, AND you can kiss your stake goodbye to boot. The ol’ Vikings on the Arctic Fortune slot would love this game! If only they had laptops and mobile phones.
Your safe jewels will disappear into a vortex that looks a bit a galactic garbage chute, and the more gemstones you pick, the higher your reward will be. Choosing only 1 bit of bling will give you just 10% of your initial bet as profit, but if you manage to pick 7 safe gemstones in a row, you’ll double your initial bet. And if you manage to clear all 36 jewels, you will get a whooping x 2500 – plus a jackpot! Heavens above!
This sneaky little game will lure you into picking yet another gem by showing the reward for the upcoming diamond – which means you’ll often catch yourself calculating the risks of trying just another gem for some extra cash!
Free Spins and Scatters
There are no bonus rounds, freespins, multipliers, scatters or any of this fancy stuff in Epic Gems slot (sounds like Fantasini Master of Mystery a bit!) The only treat the makers of this game grant us humble players is the jackpot. It might sound a bit dull but with all the excitement of the exploding bombs, we really didn’t mind the lack of Bonus Features.
Conclusion
Beware diehard slot fans – this not your traditional slot game. Epic Gems feels A LOT more intense as your are constantly on the edge of your seat, while expecting to lose all your moolah! We liked the element of control here, as it’s up to the player to decide whether to play it safe and cash in after a couple of picks, or to take more risks and go for the big money.
Epic Gems probably isn’t a game that keep you playing for hours on end, but it makes a nice change from the usual click and spin games that we’ve got used to. Its fresh approach make it an entertaining way to while away a few minutes, and a profitable one, too. Dive in!
Wombat score: 5/5
It’s a slot that’s not a slot!