Despite adopting one of the more prevalent themes as a backdrop for the action, 3 Secret Cities nevertheless manages to accomplish things in its own unique way. The bonus round is the highlight of the game, and it becomes more powerful the farther you progress.
Although it has an Aztec/South American theme, 3 Secret Cities also features a robust adventure aspect thanks to a mechanism that transports players to various locales while increasing their chances of triggering free spins. Temples, mountains, rivers, and jungles are all nicely animated to bring the game to life behind a partially translucent 5-reel, 1,024 win-all-ways matrix. The music is also full of chirps and calls of the wild, as if 4ThePlayer had kept a microphone on in the forest all night. Not so much in the features or subject matter which are distinct, but both had a comparable vibrancy raising them above many games in their own genres, 3 Secret Cities had a hint of BTG’s King of Cats Megaways.
The honesty and openness of 4ThePlayer is a huge selling point for the service. They often provide a detailed explanation of all the game’s technical aspects in the game’s help file, so that players know exactly what they’re getting into. It’s comforting to know that regardless of where you choose to make a deposit, you’ll always be playing the same game with an RTP of 96.5% (which increases to 98% if you manage to buy the bonus round).
A’very high’ volatility rating has been established, and the review period revealed no evidence to suggest otherwise. Although strikes land at a rate of 1 in 4, 3 Secret Cities might be challenging since it may take some time before the game wraps up to demonstrate what it can achieve. Big Reel Portrait Mode, available on mobile, pays from top to bottom and accepts bets from 10 p/c to £/€20.
When not in Big Reel mode, there are 1,024 possibilities to win when matching symbols land left to right beginning with reel one. All of the images, from the 10-A royals to the higher-value snakes, necklaces, jaguars, Lara Croft clones, and an Aztec priest or princess, are well rendered. Five of each of the latter two character symbols covering an entire reel or a portion of a reel is worth four to five times the wager. Only two of a type in the case of characters and jaguars results in a payment. The golden sun wild is also there, though it is rare. Aside from the scatters that trigger bonus spins, the wild may replace any other symbol to help you win.
Gameplay Features for the 3 Hidden Cities Slot
The features employed in 3 Secret Cities are basic, yet they are implemented in a way that makes them interesting. The key to all of them is the free spins scatter symbol, which can only appear on reels 1, 3, and 5. Players may win up to 50 times their wager or level up throughout Jungle City, Lake City, and Gold City if two scatter symbols appear on reels one and three, respectively. If you get the second, a map will appear showing where you are in the game. If you become lost, you may access the map at any time by clicking the box to the right of the reels.
When three scatter symbols appear, the bonus game is activated, and progress improves this feature. The first thing you’ll do when the bonus is unlocked is use the Temple Pick feature to find out how many free games you’ll get, what your win multiplier will be, and what super stacked symbols will show on the reels.
You can get up to 12 free spins, a multiplier of up to x4, and maximum wins of up to 12,000x your stake if you activate the bonus round at the beginning of the map’s progression. You may earn up to 50 free spins at an x15 multiplier at the conclusion of the map, with a maximum prize of 50,000 times your initial wager. Scatters on Reels 1 and 3 during free games add 5-10 more games to your total. The number of free games is determined by the player selecting one of the scatters.
If you’d rather not wait for the bonus to drop naturally, you may always elect to buy the feature instead. The available choices are:
The maximum number of free spins in Jungle City is 15, and the maximum multiplier is 5.
Free spins in Lake City can go up to a maximum of 25, with an additional multiplier of x8 (for a maximum win of 30,000x).
In Gold City, you may get up to 50 free spins with a 15x multiplier (worth up to 50,000x).
Judgment on the Three Hidden Cities
The journey through the rain forest in 3 Secret Cities was a lot of fun, and although the game used a familiar concept, it had its own distinct feel. The adventure element is bolstered by the map’s evolution as you travel from one location to the next throughout the countryside in search of better free spins payouts. The farther you go into the jungle, the more carefully everything is constructed to keep you interested. The high-quality, uniquely 4ThePlayer visuals also stand out, as they create a fun place to lose track of time in the world of Dora the Explorer. Another is the subtle yet atmospheric jungle noises that may be heard throughout the game.
The pace of the game can be slow at times, and I struggled to eke out more than a few nickels and dimes from 3 Secret Cities. Fortunately, it is not difficult to stay motivated and persevere because of the aforementioned advantages. Picture yourself without a map or compass, chopping your way through the forest in search of a hidden treasure. You need to grit your teeth and push through in order to complete the task at hand. When you’ve worked hard to unlock the bonus, it’s fun to click through the Temple Pick feature before starting the bonus game. It’s possible to cash in, and the maximum payout for any of the bonus games is a nice 50,000x.
Check out 3 Secret Cities if you’re interested in an alternative perspective on Aztec-themed games. It takes some toughness and resolve, but what exciting journey doesn’t?