Sometimes it feels like everywhere you look you're surrounded by highly volatile slot releases. No matter the provider, the experience of playing slots online is becoming more intense than ever. One example of this is Push Gaming – famed for their highly volatile games, including Big Bamboo, Mystery Mission – To The Moon and Mad Cars. However, within their portfolio are a number of releases rated medium for volatility, including Dino P.D. and Giga Jar. Now, Push Gaming are taking a step closer to the lower end of this scale, as we prepare for battle and brave the gladiatorial games in 10 Swords. With RTP options up to 96.41% (96.75% feature buy), this low-medium volatility release can produce wins up to 5,000x bet.
Things are quite simple in 10 Swords, as we find ourselves in Ancient Rome on a bright, sunny day. Red and white pillars surround the reels, with shields, flags, and some sort of fire pit to the front. On the reels are a variety of fitting symbols, including gladiators, an Emperor, and helmets. Attention is immediately given to the left of the reels though, where a table of Instant Prizes sits – similar to 4ThePlayer‘s 7 Gold Gigablox. It's all finished off with a nice soundtrack to tie everything together. All in all, a pretty picture.
10 Swords Base Features
Taking place across 5 reels, wins are formed on 10 Swords by matching at least 3 symbols on adjacent reels, beginning with the leftmost reel, across 1 of 20 fixed win lines. Symbols available begin with non premiums, with Js, Qs, Ks, and As, awarding wins between 0.50 and 4x bet for matches between 3 and 5 of a kind. In the mid-range, we have horns, water bottles, and helmets, awarding wins between 1 and 2x bet for 3 of a kind matches, increasing to values between 10 and 15x bet for 5 of a kind wins. At the premium end, two gladiators and an Emperor make up the symbols, awarding wins between 3 and 5x bet for 3 of a kind matches, increasing to values between 30 and 40x bet for 5 of a kind wins. Finally, Eagle Wild Symbols are available to substitute for all symbols except Shield and Sword Symbols, awarding wins between 5 and 40x bet for matches between 3 and 5 of a kind.
There isn't a great deal to cover in the base game of 10 Swords, but what we do have is enough to keep things ticking over. First up is the Ante Bet. By betting an additional 20%, players can increase their chance to trigger Free Spins. Wins are calculated according to the base bet when using Ante Bet.
Next up are Sword Symbols. When 4 or more Sword Symbols land in view, an Instant Prize is awarded according to the table to the left of the reels.
- 4 Sword Symbols – 2x bet
- 5 Sword Symbols – 5x bet
- 6 Sword Symbols – 10x bet
- 7 Sword Symbols – 25x bet
- 8 Sword Symbols – 100x bet
- 9 Sword Symbols – 1,000x bet
- 10 Sword Symbols – 5,000x bet
10 Swords Bonus
Land 3 or more Shield Symbols to trigger Free Spins.
- 3 Shield Symbols – 8 Free Spins
- 4 Shield Symbols – 10 Free Spins with 2 Low Symbols converted to Sword Symbols
- 5 Shield Symbols – 12 Free Spins with 4 Low Symbols converted to Sword Symbols
During Free Spins, any Shield Symbols that land will be collected on the Low Symbol meter next to the reels. When 4 Shield Symbols are collected against 1 Low Paying Symbol, all instances of the corresponding Low Paying Symbol will be converted to Shield Symbols for the duration of Free Spins. Low Paying Symbols are Js, Qs, Ks, and As.
Additionally, each Low Symbol conversion awards additional Free Spins.
- First Low Symbol conversion – an additional +4 spins
- Second Low Symbol conversion – an additional +3 spins
- Third Low Symbol conversion – an additional +3 spins
- Fourth Low Symbol conversion – an additional +2 spins
Players in appropriate regions can take advantage of the Bonus Buy on 10 Swords, wherein for a cost of 50x bet a random number of Shield Symbols will land in view, triggering Free Spins. In the overall game setting of 96.41%, RTP increases slightly to 96.75% when using the Bonus Buy option.
The maximum win available in 10 Swords is 5,000x bet. If the sum of a single game round exceeds this, the game round will end and 5,000x bet will be awarded.
First Impression
10 Swords is one of the more simple releases we've seen in a while. All of the action rests on the shoulders of Instant Prizes – something Push Gaming are famed for. In this release however, they take on a new format – landing through Sword Symbol collection rather than in coin form. During the base game, this does enough to keep things moving in the right direction, helping players to feel entertained whilst they wait for Free Spins – especially when coupled with the Ante Bet.
Moving into Free Spins and things get considerably more exciting, with up to 4 Low Paying Symbols converted to Sword Symbols to maximise opportunities to trigger Instant Prizes. If Free Spins are triggered without any symbols converted, collecting Shield Symbols helps to make this conversion possible, along with awarding up to an additional +12 spins along the way. When the right combinations occur, wins are possible up to 5,000x bet.
Finally, maths is rated as low-medium for volatility, and RTP options are available up to 96.41% (96.75% feature buy), so as always it's worth checking this. There might not be an immediate appeal in 10 Swords, particularly for players who prefer more complicated releases, but there's something here for those who enjoy the lower end of the volatility scale, great graphics, and nice win potential.
*The screenshots taken of games reviewed on this site are taken from Demo Play, as reviews are often written before games are released for real play.
