Embarking on an icy journey through the ocean's depths, Pragmatic Play introduces its latest slot, Ice Lobster: a game that invites players to explore the frigid waters in search of the ocean's most elusive catch. Departing from the usual array of slots crammed with features, Ice Lobster offers a simpler, more focused gaming experience that hones in on the thrill of the catch itself, rather than an overabundance of distracting elements.
Ice Lobster is set in an underwater world, characterized by its icy ocean environment. The game adopts a blue color palette that reflects the cold, deep-sea setting. On either side of the reels, lobsters are prominently featured, adding to the thematic consistency of the slot. The overall design is simple yet effectively conveys the chilly, aquatic atmosphere of the game.
Ice Lobster submerges players into a 5-reel, 20-payline adventure beneath the icy ocean waves, where the quest for underwater treasures unfolds. Boasting a default RTP of 96.53%, Ice Lobster is highly volatile in nature and allows players to choose bets from a minimum of €0.10 to a maximum of €240.
The symbol hierarchy in Ice Lobster is crafted to immerse players in the fishing theme. At the pinnacle of the paytable stands the Fisherman and the Wild symbol, each capable of netting players 100 times their stake for a full line of five. The Tackle Box, not far behind, pays up to 50 times the bet for a similar combination. Essential gear like the Life Buoy and Fishing Rod provide middle-tier value at 25 times the bet, while the Fishing Net, the last of the premium symbols, offers a 10 times payout for a complete line. The lower spectrum of the paytable is represented by royal symbols – Ace and King deliver a 5 times return, whereas the Queen, Jack, and Ten complete the ensemble with a 2.5 times payout for five in a line.
Ice Lobster: Slot Features
In Ice Lobster, the central attraction is its free spins feature, which players can trigger by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols during the base game. Depending on the number of scatters landed, they are awarded 8, 12, or 15 free spins, respectively.
Free Spins
During the free spins round, all scatter symbols that initiated the bonus transform into lobster traps, which remain fixed on the reels during the full duration of the round. These traps are designed to capture Cash Lobster symbols that appear with multiplier values ranging from 0.5x to 1,000x. Additionally, any new scatter symbol appearing during the free spins also becomes a lobster trap and grants +1 extra free spin. The feature also introduces progressive win multipliers based on the number of traps on the reels: achieving 6 traps activates a x2 multiplier on all captured money symbols, while 10 or more traps escalate this multiplier to x3.
Bonus Buy
For players in regions where it is available, the game offers a bonus buy option. This allows immediate access to the free spins feature for a cost of 100x the current bet, providing an alternative for those looking to directly engage with the game's main bonus round without waiting for a natural trigger in the base game.
Ice Lobster: Slot Verdict
Ice Lobster from Pragmatic Play slots into the category of a competent yet unassuming entry in the vast sea of fishing slots like Big Bass Splash, Big Bass Bonanza, Fishin Frenzy Even Bigger Catch and so on. It doesn't aim to dazzle with groundbreaking features or innovative mechanics, positioning itself more as a reliable middle-tier release within Pragmatic Play's portfolio. The game's features are straightforward and effective, ensuring that the slot delivers a solid gameplay experience without veering into the territory of extreme complexity or volatility that characterizes many modern slots.
Indeed, the market nowadays leans towards slots that bombard players with high volatility, intricate bonuses, and an array of modifiers. Ice Lobster, meanwhile, steps back from this trend, providing a simpler, more approachable experience. The overall presentation is pleasing, and the mechanics are easy to grasp, making it a suitable choice for players looking for a slightly less intense slot session.
While Ice Lobster might not emerge as a standout star among Pragmatic Play's releases, it holds its ground with a decent potential and a no-frills approach to slot entertainment. For those in the slot-playing community seeking a game that doesn't require a steep learning curve (here's looking at you Nolimit City), Ice Lobster offers a solid alternative. It's a game that knows its audience and serves its purpose, simple as that. In summary, Ice Lobster is a satisfactory option for players seeking simplicity coupled with solid design and decent potential.
Ice Lobster
Slot Properties
reels5
rows3
paylines20
rtp96.06% | 95.06% | 94.03%
hit_freq1 in 3.34
max_win5,000x
volatilityHigh
min_max_bet0.20/240
release_dateApril 11, 2024
featuresWild Symbol,Scatter Symbol,Free Spins,High volatility,5 Reels,Pick A Prize,Multiplier