Introduction to Arctic Duel
Arctic Duel is a casino slot from Bullshark Games with a fun vibe and effective gameplay. Is it really time for winter slots again? Maybe it’s just my part of the world, where people are still fighting for sunbeds and the best spot for getting a nice tan. Anyway, here we are presented with a crisp winter landscape, which also works as a battleground for the ongoing snowball fight between the snowman and the bunny. The cheeky vibe is aligned with previous releases from the studio, such as Bullshark Brawl and Buzz Patrol. In terms of gameplay, we enjoyed the familiar formula of Cascading Wins, Global Multiplier, and Wild Multipliers. However, Bullshark Games has added a decent twist by adding Walking Wilds, making this a slightly above-average release without any big surprises.
Theme, Gameplay, & Payouts
Arctic Duel is a video slot by Bullshark Games that features 5 reels, 3 rows, and 243 ways to win. You can select bet sizes ranging from 0.1 to 100, with a default RTP of 96.3%. However, operators can choose to use 94.24% or 92.33%. This game has medium/high volatility and a hit frequency of 28.23%, offering potential wins of up to 10,000X your bet.
The game’s design is based on a playful winter theme, featuring snowball fights between snowmen and bunnies. The 5x3 game grid is in the middle of the screen, set in a winterland. Above the reels, you’ll see the Global Multiplier, which is applied to all wins during the game. If you want to boost the gaming experience for a cost, activate the Feature Buy button. All other buttons, including the Spin and Bet Size, can be found below the reels. You can play Arctic Duel on all mobile devices, desktops, and notepads. You create a winning combination by landing 3 or more of the same symbol types on adjacent reels starting at the leftmost reel, triggering the Cascade.
The lower-paying symbols are 10, J, Q, K, and A. Landing 5 of the same symbol type pays 0.5X. The higher-paying symbols are a shovel, gloves, carrots, a snowball grenade, and TNT. Landing 5 of the same symbol type pays between 1.5X and 8X.
The game’s Wild Symbol has the design of a snowman with the text “Wild”. Creating a win with 5 Wilds pays 10X the bet. It can also land as a Wild Multiplier with either additive or multiplicative values. The Scatter Symbol is a snowball-shooting bunny with the text “Scatter”. Landing 3 or more of the Scatter Symbols will trigger the Bonus Game. Let’s find out what kind of features this game has to offer.
Special Features & Slot Mechanics
What is the max win in the slot of Arctic Duel?
The max win is 10,000X the bet.
What features are available in the slot of Arctic Duel?
The features of this slot game are Cascade, Wild Symbol & Global Multiplier, Bonus Game, and Feature Buy.
Cascade
The Cascade feature is activated when a win is created, and the winning symbols will be removed from the reels. New symbols will fall from above and allow new winning combinations; this will continue as long as new winning combinations are created.
Wild Symbol & Global Multiplier
The Wild Symbol substitutes all symbols except the Scatter Symbol and helps you create winning combinations. It can land on the reels with a random multiplier value, and whenever it’s part of a win, the multiplier value is unlocked and added to the Global Multiplier after the win is paid. The increased value of the Global Multiplier applies to the following win, not the win that triggered it.
The Wild Multiplier can land with the following values:
Additive values = 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 7X, 8X, 9X, 10X, 15X, 20X, 25X, 50X, or 100X the bet.
Multiplicative values = 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X, 8X, or 10X.
After a Wild Symbol is part of a win, it randomly chooses to move one reel to the left or right while staying in the same row. The Wild Symbol moves one reel in its chosen direction every time it participates in a win during the Cascades.
If there is a win on the game grid but the Wild is not part of it, the Wild stays in place. When a Wild reaches the edge of the grid, it is removed after its next move. The Wild moves after the win is calculated and before the new symbols cascade onto the grid. Multiple Walking Wilds can appear at the same time, and they all move simultaneously.
If two Walking Wilds move onto the same position, they merge into one Wild for the win calculation. When the merged Wild is part of a win, it separates again, with both Wilds moving one position in their respective directions for the next Cascade.
Bonus Game
This feature can be triggered by landing 3 or more Scatter Symbols anywhere on the reels during the Base Game, activating the corresponding Bonus Game.
Carrot Heist
This feature is triggered by 3 Scatter Symbols and awards 8 Free Spins. This Bonus Game keeps the base game mechanics. However, here the Global Multiplier is progressive until the end of the feature.
Every Walking Wild Symbol that steps on the game grid awards +1 additional spin, which is tracked by a collector above the reels.
Arctic Showdown
This feature is triggered by 4 Scatter Symbols and awards 10 Free Spins. This Bonus Game keeps the Carrot Heist mechanics. However, here the Global Multiplier starts at 5X, and one Wild Symbol is guaranteed on the first spin.
Feature Buy
If you want to boost the gaming experience for a cost, use the Feature Buy options:
3X (Bonushunt Featurespins) = Each spin is 5 times more likely to trigger a Bonus Game. Played with very high volatility and an RTP of 96.31%.
50X (Sneaky Snatch Featurespins) = Each spin guarantees at least one Walking Wild and one Permanent Booster Wild to land. Played with high volatility and an RTP of 96.36%.
100X = Activates the Carrot Heist. Played with high volatility and an RTP of 96.28%.
250X = Activates the Arctic Showdown. Played with very high volatility and an RTP of 96.31%.
Final Thoughts on Arctic Duel
“When the snow falls, the battle begins.” Bullshark Games delivers a feel-good slot experience with uncomplicated, effective gameplay, without any big surprises. Regarding the design, we appreciate the fun but cheeky snowball fight between the snowman and the bunny. With that said, we would love to see the studio evolve this storyline with the duel mechanic seen in games like Duel at Dawn, which would’ve been a fun twist on the winter theme. As of now, it becomes rather predictable and lacks memorable moments to compete with better releases.
Looking at the gameplay, it revolves around the Cascade + Global Multiplier combination. Even if we’ve seen this formula countless times before, it can still deliver powerful payout potential, especially when Wild Multipliers up to 100X land on the reels. So what about the gameplay? Bullshark Games offers two features, where the Global Multiplier becomes persistent, and the Walking Wilds can award additional Free Spins. We think the mechanics work decently, but lack the extra punch needed to make Arctic Duel a memorable release.
Overall, Arctic Duel is a decent addition to Bullshark Games’ portfolio, offering a pleasant vibe. Even though we enjoy a cheeky snowball fight, we think the studio missed an opportunity by not adding a duel mechanic. Walking Wilds adds a nice touch to the familiar Cascade and Multiplier formula, but the game can’t help but feel predictable and falls short compared to the studio’s more innovative releases.
Arctic Duel revolves around a familiar Global Multiplier and Walking Wilds combination, offering a decent experience without any major twists.
