Pirots 3

If 2024 needed one thing, it would most likely be the return of our fabled, four feathered friends, embarking in a new and whimsical journey of rediscovery.  That’s right… ELK Studios has created a trilogy as Pirots 3 hits our screens in remastered, Wild West fashion.  Elk Studios are certainly no strangers when it comes to releasing follow-ons from classic titles such as Nitropolis, Tropicool and the Gold series, they’re also not afraid to push the boundaries of complexity and the down right lunacy that flashes up in front of our very eyes as each spin plays out.

The third installment sees another complete overhaul of the once-salty-sea-birds, who now find themselves locked and loaded, deep in the heart of the Wild West; so wild that someone has decided to build a theme park slap bang in the background.  The four birds have returned, staying some-what true to form, though donning a more cowboy-esque wardrobe attire.  Other features have also had a bit of a makeover such as the collector bar now being a bank-heist style safe, the scatter symbols now a golden cow skull and the noteable addition of a top-hatted vulture perched in a cage (We will get to him shortly).

Pirots 3 plays out in a 7 row 6 column grid with an RTP of 94% and a maximum win limit of 10,000x bet.

Pirots 3 base game play

Visually, Pirots 3 is very easy on the eye.  Crisp and sharp graphics are definitely key here as it is not hard to completely fill the grid with several different features at once, so differentiating between each one is certainly important.  The base game sound track is easy listening and associates with all things Western.  Add to that the numerous beeping and tinkling sound effects as each game plays out along with the humorous yet charming individual parrot anecdotes, I’d say we are off to a strong start.  During the bonus rounds, the soundtrack ups the ante in true Elk style, giving the feeling of good old classic Saloon Showdown vibe.

Pirots 3 Base Game and Features

As familiar with the previous two installments, the game “drops” by dropping symbols, birds and features into the grid.  Payout wins are instigated by each bird collecting their own colour symbols that must land in any of the spaces directly next to them; above, below or either side.  Birds can only move in a horizontal or vertical motion but can move back on themselves should any symbols be left behind.  A bird can also begin its first move by collecting a feature symbol, should one land next to it.  Once all possible symbols and features have been collected, the game round ends.

The gems begin on screen with a possible payout value of 0.05x bet for the blue and green and 0.1x bet for the purple and red.  As each game round progresses, the gems can be upgraded up to 6 times making individual gem payouts possible of 7.5x to 30x bet.

CollectR Mechanic

On every new game drop, any symbol collected will be removed from the screen.  Once every bird has collected everything they can, all remaining symbols will drop to the furthest position down they can before fresh symbols drop in to fill the gaps.  this process is repeated until no further collections can be made and the round ends.

Feature Meter

At the top of the screen is the feature meter.  Collecting gems and wilds will gradually fill the meter to the top.  Once full, it will trigger a feature symbol release at the end of the current game round.  It is possible to stack up to 3 feature releases at once.  Please note that any symbols collected by The Bandit Vulture will not count towards filling the meter.

Fill up the feature meter for random feature drops

Pirots 3 offers the following features during game play:

• Upgrade Symbol – Upgrades the payout of a single coloured gem by 1,2 or 3 stages
• Upgrade All Symbol – Upgrades the payout of every gem by 1,2 or 3 stages
• Coin Symbol – Instant win if collected.  Pays its value times the current bet
• Wild Symbol – Substitutes for any gem at the current level.  Black bandit wilds represent the current highest paying gem
• Dynamite Symbol – Collected dynamite triggers an explosion at the end of the current game round.  Symbols and birds explode and the game grid is expanded to a maximum of 8 rows by 7 columns with a re-drop.
• Peanut Symbol – Fills empty grid spaces with peanuts which allows birds to cross the empty spaces to reach more symbols
• Transform Symbol – Transforms a cluster of gems next to the collecting bird into the same colour as the bird.  It may convert a random number of gems into feature symbols.
• Key Symbol – Collecting a key symbol releases the Bandit vulture from its cage.  This occurs after no more bird collections are possible.

Bandit’s Escape Feature

Collecting a key and unlocking the Bandit will see the vulture fly away from its cage and land onto the grid.  The Bandit will then begin to collect symbols on the grid like any other bird.  Unlike the individual birds, any gem can be collected by the Bandit, regardless of its colour, as well as any feature symbol.  One cluster of symbols can be collected at a time although it is not a guarantee that an entire cluster of gems will be collected.  As the bandit collects gems, a running total value will be displayed on the Bandit Wanted Poster on screen.

Occasionally, the Bandit will come into contact with another bird and a duel shall commence.  Should the Bandit defeat the bird, the bird is removed from play and the Bandit continues its collections.  Should the bird defeat the Bandit, the feature will end and the player will be paid out the accumulated total collected by the Bandit.  Should the Bandit manage to defeat all four birds, the Bandit will continue to collect the remaining symbols left on the grid and the total amount paid out.  This will then trigger the Bandit Coin Game Feature.

Release the Bandit for collections, duels and potential big wins

Coin Game Feature

Should the entire grid be cleared by either the birds or the Bandit, the Coin Game feature is triggered.  Coin bags and scorpions will drop onto the grid in random positions and the train will arrive.  The birds or the Bandit will hop on the train (depending on who cleared the grid originally) and attempt to lasso the coin bags to collect.  The value of any collected coin bags will be accumulated and displayed above the grid.  Should any bird or Bandit catch a scorpion, they are out of the game.  The feature continues until no birds remain and the total collected paid out times bet.

Collect big values in the Coin Game feature…just don’t lasso a scorpion!

Switcheroo and Showdown Feature

Two birds landing adjacent to one another have a random chance to perform the “Switcheroo” should no more collections be possible.  If triggered, the birds will switch places horizontally or vertically.

Two birds landing adjacent to one another have a random chance of triggering the Showdown Feature when no more collections are possible.  Three or more birds landing adjacently to one another triggers the Showdown Feature.

If the Showdown Feature is triggered, all birds move away from each other.  Any symbol in the path of a moving bird will be removed.  All birds involved then shoot in either horizontal, vertical or diagonal directions.  Symbols that are “hit” during the shootout will perform in different ways.  Gems get removed.  Bonus, Super Bonus, Key and Coins will be collected.  Dynamite will be ignited.  Any other feature symbol will be left unaffected.  At the end of the Showdown Feature, birds will be redropped onto the grid and any empty spaces will be filled by a partial redrop.

Train Heist Feature

On either side of the grid, 2 or 4 symbols are covered by a train backdrop.  In order to trigger the Train Heist feature, a bird must be able to collect at least one symbol on both sides of the grid marked with the train backdrop.

When triggered, a train will arrive and the bird hops on before travelling a random number of laps around the track.  On the way around, the game will randomly award between 1 and 3 feature symbols before dropping the bird off at the opposite side of the grid to continue collections.

Pirots 3 Bonus Round

If the birds collect 3 bonus scatter symbols inside the base game, 5 free drops will be awarded as a bonus round.  Any collected bonus symbol during free drops will equate to an extra free drop.

The regular bonus will begin on the number of rows and columns achieved during the base game trigger whereas landing the Super Bonus will begin the bonus on the enhanced 8 row 7 column grid.

During free drops, the collection meter will stay persistent throughout the rounds as will the gem symbol upgrades.  Any outstanding feature drops from the base game will be released as part of the first drop.

Once the number of free drops reaches zero or a max win is achieved, the Bonus will come to an end.

Collect 3 Bonus Scatter symbols to trigger 5 free drops

X-iter Bet

Where applicable and as with most ELKs, Pirots 3 offers a range of X-iter bet buying options:

• Bonus Hunt – at the cost of 3x bet per drop and allows 4x chance of landing a bonus
• Bandit’s Escape feature buy – at the cost of 25x bet
• Coin game feature buy – at the cost of 50x bet
• Bonus buy – at the cost of 100x bet
• Super Bonus buy – at the cost of 500x bet

Pros and Cons of Pirots 3

• Packed with features inside the base game and bonus free drops
• Lovely, crisp graphics and clear display
• Well designed game mechanic
• A single game round can take a while to play out, especially with additional features each playing out
• Very volatile Super Bonus
• Can take a while to fully understand the gameplay

Similar Games to Pirots 3

• Pirots
• Pirots 2
• Dam Beavers

First Impression

When you are the 3rd part of a trilogy, it’s fairly hard to comfortably live up to the expectations created by your predecessors.  Pirots 3 is no exception to that rule and has some big beaks to fill!

I have to say that this is my longest review so far; mainly due to the fact that it took me so long to actually work out the game.  Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing…the game is absolutely packed with features, a few new ones, and this will always take a little time to get your head around.  More is by no means always better but, come on, this is Pirots!  It’s like the online slot version of a Lamborghini; over the top, in your face, but with a personal style and charm that everyone likes to see.

I can’t say that ELK Studios have gone as far and wide as they possibly can with Pirots 3, yes there are some new features but that should be expected.  The game remains comfortable and sentimental and will certainly be enjoyed by anyone that was happy to play Pirots and Pirots 2.

The use of the CollectR mechanic really helps with game enjoyment, its a refreshing change away from spinning reels and drop after drop of clusters and it has really allowed ELK to embrace new and exciting features throughout the game play.  There is a huge potential for big wins, especially during the Super Bonus, that can see all symbols easily achieving much higher levels of pay.  Combining that with the collective in-play features and you can really have your feathers ruffled waiting for that “big win” bell to ring.

All in all, if you are able to occasionally sit through lengthy game rounds that don’t always seem to warrant the payouts, and if you can just take a little time to get used to the whole host of in-game features, I think you will enjoy Pirots 3.  Its a little bit different without being too different and has enough about it to keep you guessing and entertained.  Let the feathers fly!

*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.