Pragmatic Play Introduces New Connect & Collect Feature
Experience the money-making Connect & Collect feature in the brand new release Firebird Spirit from Pragmatic Play.
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Time to Fire up the Creative Engine
We are not exactly spoiled with new features, despite all the new games being released on a daily basis. I think we can all agree that it’s time for the providers to fire up the creative engine and bring us something fresh.
Because of this, I have to admit I was caught off guard when I found out that the latest Pragmatic Play slot, Firebird Spirit, brings something new to the table.
As a matter of fact, I came to find out that even people in the business that actually work with the games didn’t know either. In a way, I guess that softened the blow a little and made me feel less dumb for not having picked up on it.
Let’s head into the deepest of jungles and spend some time with the Aztecs while I try to figure this thing out.
There’s Something Different About This Game
It’s far from the first time we embark on a journey that will take you on the path to the Aztec Empire’s riches. The 1,875 paylines and 5×6 reel setup are filled with Aztec inspired symbols but right from the get go, you see there’s something different about this game.
Before we move on, Firebird Spirit has a 96.00% RTP, high volatility and a maximum 4,250x multiplier.
Not in the Traditional Sense
As you can see, I did mention a 5×6 reel setup but the truth is that the 6th and last reel will only show special symbols. This reel is therefore not necessarily part of the others in the traditional sense.
The Connect & Collect symbols however, can appear anywhere on reels 1-5, just like any other symbol.
You will also notice there being 2 locked positions on reel 3, also reserved for special symbols. This will all make sense in just a little bit.
Build a Bridge, Connect and Collect
The more Connect & Collect symbols you see, the better it is. The point is to put them next to each other so that they can come in contact. This “bridge” has to start from reel 1 and the symbols can touch each other horizontally, vertically or a combination of the two.
If connected, they can reach one of the two locked positions on reel 3 or reel 6, giving you a win with a special symbol.
These Are the Special Symbols
So what are the special symbols I keep mentioning? There are actually a few of them, each with their own perks. I will list them below and connecting with one of them can result in the following:
- Quick Collect – Should you land the Quick Collect on reel 3, more Connect & Collect symbols will be added to reels 4 and 5, letting you continue your connection all the way to a special symbol on reel 6.
- Respin –The Respin symbol can also be found on reel 3 and whenever it is hit, it will trigger as many as 5 respins. A countdown will begin, starting at 5 and taking you all the way down to 0.
All your Connect & Collect symbols on the reels will stay put while the respins take place. You can rack up more wins along the way and they will be paid out when all the respins have been played.
- Money Value – Hit the Money Value symbol and you will land a random prize. This prize can be anywhere from 2x all the way to 800x your bet.
- Minor, Major, or Grand prizes – Surprise, surprise, these are Jackpots! The Minor (50x), Major (200x) and Grand (4,000x) are all up for grabs.
- Add Wilds – This will add wild symbols in random positions on reels 2, 3, 4, or 5.
- Free Spins – With a bit of luck you can score a 2x win multiplier and 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, or 25 free spins. The amount of Free Spins will show on the symbol.
As you can see, there’s a lot of fun to be had.
Free Spins & Bonus Buy
Even with a new feature taking over the show, Pragmatic was nice enough to still include both the Bonus Buy as well as Free Spins.
If you’re planning on paying for them, you can do so by coughing up 100x your bet. For those who want to get there without having to spend any extra money, since there are no scatters involved, you’ll have to pick up the Free Spins through the Connect & Collect mentioned above.
A Ton of Money to Be Won
The game itself basically works the same in the bonus round, besides a couple of synchronized reels.
If you can hit the right Connect & Collect combos, there’s a ton of money to be won.
Out of This World win
When I first was thrown into the bonus round, I barely had time to see what happened but all of a sudden I had 10 Free Spins with my name on them and as you can see on the images above, the gold coins came flying.
As you can imagine, I welcomed the Out of This World win with open arms!
A Breath of Fresh Air and Keeps Every Spin Interesting
I have to say that the Connect & Collect is a breath of fresh air and without it, Firebrand Spirit would have been an average game. This new feature steals the show and makes every spin a lot more interesting.
Of course I was very lucky to experience the kind of win I did but it was all because of the Connect & Collect so I hope to see more of it going forward. Considering it’s a Pragmatic Play feature, I wonder how long it takes before someone else comes up with a “similar” idea.
You can play the game at BitStarz and Winz.io among other places.
Give it a go and see what you think!
