Mines is a 5-reel, 40-payline online casino slot game developed by Microgaming. The theme revolves around an old-school mine where players embark on a journey to uncover treasures hidden beneath the earth’s surface. The game’s design features cartoonish graphics and vibrant colors that bring the mining experience to life.
Theme The Mines slot Mines slot is set in an abandoned mine, with miners working tirelessly to extract valuable minerals from deep within the earth. Players will encounter various mining-related symbols such as dynamite sticks, pickaxes, hard hats, and gemstones amidst the richly detailed background of a mine shaft. The game’s atmosphere transports players into the depths of the mine where fortunes await discovery.
Design The 5×3 reel layout is set against an immersive backdrop that showcases miners excavating ore from ancient stone walls. Players will notice distinct graphics for each symbol, adding to the visual appeal of the game. Microgaming has incorporated their signature animation style into Mines, providing smooth transitions between reels and spins.
Symbols Mines features a variety of mining-related symbols including:
- Dynamite sticks (high-paying)
- Pickaxes (medium-high paying)
- Hard hats (medium-low paying)
- Gemstones (low- to medium-paying)
There are also bonus symbols such as the wild, scatter, and miner. The miner symbol serves multiple purposes within the game.
Payouts The highest payout in Mines is awarded by landing five dynamite stick symbols on any active payline, which results in a 10x multiplier for that spin. Other high-paying combinations are rewarded with multipliers ranging from 1-5 times the bet amount.
Payout Multiplier Table Symbol Paytable Value Payout Multiplier Dynamite Sticks (5) 1000x 10x
Wilds The miner symbol serves as a wild that substitutes any other standard symbol except the scatter, increasing winning combinations and rewards.
Wild Functionality
- Replaces missing symbols to form win.
- Has no value on its own.
Scatters Mines features two scatters – an old-fashioned dynamite stick labeled ‘Explosive’ (Mining Scatter) and a gemstone labeled as a gold nugget. Landing these scatters triggers various bonus features.
Scatters Functionality Explosive Mining Scatter
- Appears on reels 2, 3, or 4.
- Triggers the Mine Feature.
Gold Nugget Scatter (Feature Trigger)
- Can appear anywhere in view.
- Initiates the Free Spins feature.
Bonus Features Two primary bonus features are activated through scatters: the Mine and Free Spins.
Bonus Feature – Mine
The Explosive Mining Scatter initiates a 3-reel, 1-line Mini-game where miners excavate an explosive charge to reveal instant cash wins or progressive jackpot. The mine is filled with valuable rewards hidden within dynamite sticks and ore samples.
Progressive Jackpot
A portion of every bet contributes towards the slot’s progressive jackpot.
Progressive Jackpot
- Starts at a base value.
- Continuously grows by taking 1-5% of bets made on Mines.
Free Spins The Free Spins feature is activated when three or more Mining Scatters appear. The number of free spins awarded varies depending on the combination – between ten and thirty-five spins.
Mining Bonus Rewards Table Combination Number of Spins 3x Ten (10) spins
- Initial multiplier: x1.
- Reels loaded with stacked wild symbols.
Free Spins Feature Description
Free Spin Conditions
- No additional betting required during free spin mode
- Wins accumulate until the end of the feature
- Can be retriggered by landing Mining Scatter
RTP (Return to Player) and Volatility
Mines has a Medium-High volatility rating, indicating that players can expect infrequent but substantial payouts.
RTP Value
- 95.23% – Regular spins.
- 94.11% – During free spin mode.
Betting Range The game offers adjustable betting options ranging from £0.20 to £100 per spin, allowing players with various bankrolls and risk appetites to engage in gameplay.
Betting Limits Bet Amount Coin Value Min (£) 0.20 – Max (£) 10
- Each reel supports up to ten coins.
Max Win The maximum win potential is tied to the progressive jackpot, offering life-changing rewards to lucky players who uncover a significant amount within their dynamite-filled mine.
Maximum Paytable Value Symbol Maximum Paytable Value Dynamite Sticks (5)
- 1x (Min bet) = £20
- 10x (Max Bet) = $2000,000
Gameplay To begin, players load the game with their preferred bankroll and adjust bet amounts according to their strategy. Each spin features randomly generated symbols that may trigger various bonus events or free spins.
General Gameplay Procedure
- Load Mines slot.
- Set desired stake per spin within betting options (£0.20 – £10).
- Begin spinning reels using ‘Spin’ button on mobile devices, or mouse click/ key press for PC users
- Track and monitor game session via an embedded account window displaying current balance
Mobile Play The Mines slot has been optimized to accommodate gameplay across a range of portable devices including Android and iOS smartphones.
Mobile Features Summary:
- Optimized touchscreen interface with responsive design.
- Multi-touch navigation enabled (touchscreen, mobile only).
- Automatic detection for optimal display setting.
Player Experience In conclusion, the game’s captivating theme transports players into an abandoned mine where they attempt to uncover hidden treasures. The high-quality animation adds a touch of realism while gameplay can be unpredictable due to its medium-high volatility rating.
Player Impression
"Overall, I found the Mines slot experience engaging and potentially rewarding for skilled bettors"
The immersive design features unique graphics for each symbol that stand out against an atmospheric background. Microgaming has implemented smooth animations making Mines a visually pleasing game. The numerous bonus events such as retriggered free spins add excitement while contributing towards varying rewards potential.
Final Analysis
Although it does not offer exceptional variance or progressive jackpot size in comparison to other slots available on the platform, Mines’ engaging theme and design elements make for an immersive gaming experience worth exploring by experienced players seeking moderate-risk, high-reward entertainment.