Aurora Wilds is a northern lights-themed slot machine developed by Neon Valley Studios and launched via Microgaming's quickfire platform. Aurora Wilds provides a relaxed arctic environment and glows-in-the-dark animal symbols, and Classic slot icons, as well as expanding wilds, respins, and a Jackpot Wheel feature. While it is certainly not a particularly complicated game to play; the slot contains enough movement to provide a greater level of activity than simply a typical 5-reel slot.
Aurora Wilds utilizes 5 reels and 3 rows, and a fixed 10 paylines. The most important aspect of this game is that the paylines pay both ways. Thus, winning combinations can be formed from left to right and from right to left. This produces a more favorable game Atmosphere than would exist under traditional win-line arrangements. The general description of Aurora Wilds is that it is a medium-variance slot game (medium volatility) with an RTP of 96.20%. The primary mechanism for drawing players to this game involves the expanding wilds on the middle reels, the possibility of respins continuing after further wilds land, and a Jackpot Wheel providing One of four predetermined prize options. This Aurora Wilds slot game review provides coverage regarding the Theme, gameplay, symbols, RTP, volatility, wagering choices, mobile compatibility, Demo Mode availability, advantages and disadvantages and finally whether or not the game is worth attempting to try.
One of the more calming themes found within the Microgaming library, Aurora Wilds takes advantage of the Northern Lights to provide its background. The colors used in the background move softly through greenish-blueish purple hues. The snow-capped mountain and starry sky environment that surrounds the game contributes to a peaceful appearance for the game. The game also provides a modern aesthetic through the neon-styled symbols. The symbols themselves are made up of carved animal shapes including fish, rabbit, turtle, eagle and moose. These animal shapes fit perfectly with the nature-based Theme of the game and contrast well against the dark-colored background. In addition to these carved animal symbols, the Classic slot iconography is present in the forms of red 7's and bar's.
This combination of older-style casino graphics and modern visual polish makes for a very clean looking game. The lack of extensive animation across the game window aids in keeping track of the spinning reels. This is especially true as the wild expansion feature allows for multiple consecutive spins of the reels during respins.
The music is quiet and ambient. Softly blended tones, subtle chime effects and a soothing rhythm contribute to an Atmosphere fitting to the Northern Lights Theme. The music does not overwhelm or detract from gameplay. Although slight changes occur in the music when a wild is landed or when a respin is initiated; this slight enhancement in audio builds excitement without transforming the slot into a noisy or chaotic experience. Many players prefer slots that produce quiet environments to generate excitement in other ways.
| Software | Neon Valley Studios |
|---|---|
| Slot Types | Video Slots |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Slot Game Features | Bonus Rounds Wild Symbol Multipliers Scatters Free Spins |
| Min. Bet | 0.1 |
| Max. Bet | 100 |
| Jackpot | Four fixed jackpots |
| Slot RTP | 96.2% |
Aurora Wilds utilizes a simple 5-reel, 3-row configuration along with 10 fixed paylines. An essential distinction about this game is that it has both-way payouts. Both-way payouts allow for winning combinations to be generated from left-to-right and/or from right-to-left. As such, Aurora Wilds possesses more potential for generating winning combinations than the average One-directional payline slot. Overall, this game is easy to play. All you must do is select your bet amount, click "spin" and wait for matching symbols, expanding wilds or golden wheel symbols. Since the number of active paylines cannot be changed due to their fixed designation; it is unnecessary to configure them prior to starting your gaming session. The simplicity of gameplay exists in the base game; however, it becomes much more interesting when wilds appear on the center reels. One wild can expand onto an entire reel and initiate a respin. More importantly, subsequent wilds appearing on a reel during that respin will continue the feature.
Aurora Wilds incorporates a small yet recognizable set of symbols. Lower paying symbols are comprised of various animal shaped totems consisting of fish, rabbits, turtles, eagles and moose. Animal-shaped totems can facilitate regular line winnings, contributing to maintaining the rhythm of the base game. The higher value symbols include red seven icons and bar icons. Based upon the initial source material; five of each type of animal symbol can provide a payout ranging from approximately 2.5x to 6x times your bet amount, whereas five red sevens or BARs can award approximately 12x to 15x times your bet amount. Please note that actual values may vary based on your version of the game; therefore we encourage players to reference their in-game pay table at all times.
The expanding wild symbol consists of a unique diamond shape featuring feathers in neon colors. It will only appear on the middle three reels (reels 2, 3 and 4). Upon appearing it will expand to completely cover that particular reel. Given that this game utilizes both direction wins; having a fully expanded wild middle reel will greatly assist in creating wins from either side. Furthermore, since the wild replaces all non-wild symbols; having a fully wild middle reel can also assist in creating multiple winning payline combinations simultaneously.
The respin feature is essentially the core mechanic utilized within Aurora Wilds. The respin feature is initiated every time an expanding wild symbol lands on one of the middle reels (reels 2, 3 or 4). At that point in time, the expanding wild will lock in place, expand across its respective reel(s), and then re-spin those same reels again. The respin feature will continue as long as expanding wilds continue to land on any of the middle three reels. This process will cease when no new expanding wilds land during a respin or when all three middle reels are filled with expanding wilds. This establishes a straightforward yet efficient flow of momentum within a single gaming session. With One expanding wild possibly leading to another; and with several consecutive respins potentially covering numerous paylines simultaneously; some of the highest-value results tend to emerge when two or three middle reels are covered with expanding wilds simultaneously.
In addition to its other features, Aurora Wilds introduces players to the Jackpot Wheel feature. The Jackpot Wheel feature is activated by landing exactly three golden wheel symbols on any position on reels 2-4. Once activated, the Jackpot Wheel will begin to spin and award One of four predetermined jackpot amounts. The Jackpot Wheel awards one of four fixed prizes:
• The mini jackpot = Pays 15x times your bet amount.
• The minor jackpot = pays 50x times your bet amount.
• The major jackpot = Pays 100x times your bet amount.
• The Grand Jackpot = Pays up to 2000x times your bet amount.
Some references describe these as progressive jackpots; however according to our research; the values associated with these jackpots appear to be fixed multipliers relative to your bet amount. To verify whether your version utilizes fixed values or progressive values; please refer to your casino's game information screen.
Aurora Wilds returns approximately 96.20% back to players. RTP represents the theoretical expected rate of return over time for all players; thus it does not represent an indicator for what will take place during any given individual session. Generally speaking, Aurora Wilds is considered a medium variance slot. Therefore, it attempts to achieve equilibrium between relatively low value wins occurring at a moderate frequency and fewer large value wins arising from respins or the Jackpot Wheel feature. Clearly, it is more extreme than low-variance games but losing sessions are still possible; although this extreme variance is somewhat offset by the fact that both-way wins combined with expanding wilds create a more active game Atmosphere. It is these larger wins that primarily arise from chaining respins together or receiving the Grand Jackpot value.
Aurora Wilds offers players access to an extremely broad wagering range. The minimum bet listed in our source materials was 0.10 credits per spin and maximum bets were listed as high as 60 credits per spin. Keep in mind that wagering limits may vary based on specific casinos/version/currency used for play, etc.. Due to the fact that Aurora Wilds utilizes only ten fixed paylines, managing wagers is simple regardless of which method is chosen (total stake/bet per line/spin control/autoplay etc.). Higher wagers will provide greater potential payouts; however, they will not influence probabilities related to initiating respins/wild expansions/The Jackpot Wheel.
Aurora Wilds performs adequately on desktop/mobile/tablet devices utilizing HTML5 technology, allowing for seamless loading into modern web browsers without downloading additional software applications required for mobile play. Additionally, given the game's compact 5x3 layout, symbols are easily readable and button presses responsive even on smaller screens.
Playing in Demo Mode is beneficial for testing Aurora Wilds before placing bets with real money. Demo Mode allows players to experiment with both-way paylines /wild expansion /respins/jackpot wheel utilizing virtual credits. Additionally, Demo Mode is helpful for understanding how often wilds appear/respins behave/paytable works without risking your own funds.
Aurora Wilds is commonly compared with Starburst as both games utilize simple layouts/neon styled visuals/a both-way-pays-system. Unlike Starburst however, Aurora Wilds adds additional complexity through respins/wild expansion/jackpot wheel feature.
As opposed to many modern-microgaming styled slots, Aurora Wilds appears cleaner/lower on clutter. Aurora wilds lacks complex bonus rounds; nevertheless, its expanding wild feature alone provides sufficient base-game action.
Players who prefer simpler slots that incorporate frequent visual cues will likely find aurora wilds preferable to slots with more elaborate features.
Aurora Wilds is an elegant-looking slot powered by microgaming that manages to be relatively simplistic while also providing players with meaningful opportunities for exciting feature-based experiences. The northern-lights-based theme is visually appealing; while animal symbols are easy-to-read symbols and wild-respin sequences provide some of its most exciting moments. With a medium volatility rating of .20%, an RTP of .96%, and the possibility of earning up to $2,000 per bet on the Grand Jackpot wheel (when played responsibly), Aurora Wilds provides an accessible entry-point into medium-volatility slots for players who wish to experience big-ticket wins while taking care not to lose too much cash.
Aurora Wilds is a northern-lights themed slot machine produced by Neon Valley Studios using Microgaming's quickfire platform.
The RTP for Aurora Wilds is 96.20%.
No, it is generally classified as medium volatility.
Once an expanding wild appears on one of your middle reels (reels 2-4) it will expand across its designated area locking itself in place and re-spining your reels again until another expanding wild appears.
No - the largest bonus-style feature is actually provided by the expanding wild respin system.
The Jackpot Wheel feature is initiated when you get three golden wheels anywhere on your middle reels (2-4) and provides One of four pre-determined jackpot payouts.
Yes - provided your selected casino supports mobile play, you should be able to access and play Aurora Wilds on either your smartphone or tablet device.
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