By NetEnt
RTP 96.30%
Min bet $0.20
Max bet $400
Max Win bet x 300
Popularity Medium
Min bet $0.20
Max bet $400
Max Win bet x 300
Gamble Feature Non standard reels, Freespins, Sticky wilds, Random wilds, Scatter symbols
Layout 5x5
Devices Support all devices
Configurable Winlines No
Volatility High
Progressive Jackpot No
Lost Relics is a thrill-filled action slot where we follow adventurers down into the dark, uncovering ancient relics and other treasures.
Released in 2018 and created by veteran developer NetEnt, Lost Relics offers an exciting new look at slots. That’s not just hyperbole either since we’re shown the different reels literally from above!
We find ourselves in the early 20th century, looking down on an archaeologist dig site. Around the 5-reel and 5-row playing field is a collection of tools, a tent and a campfire. I loved this approach, giving the existence of the reels a reason to be there as well as offering a unique approach to the standard look.
The game is still pretty new and as I’ve come to expect from NetEnt they made the game look gorgeous. All the symbols are made entirely in the style of ancient relics, even though some of them are based on the classic card-suits. The designers went out of their way to make even those look fitting.
There are a lot of details to find while we play. The winning payline symbols have small animations and the tiles underneath them explode and fall away. Meanwhile, the background has subtle movements like the campfire crackling and gears spinning.
Lost Relics includes a calm soundtrack that works more as a mood-setter than something to really get the player excited about. It has some similarities to music you would find in the Indiana Jones movies but it’s not over the top. I quite liked that.
The symbols in the game are well made as can be expected from a NetEnt slot. The relics are the high-paying symbols and look great. Meanwhile, the lower-paying symbols are based on the card suits in their own distinct style.
Since the playing field is bigger than most slots and the way the paylines are counted is different, more on that in a bit, the maximum win is 25 of a kind!
From highest to lowest they are:
One neat detail I didn’t notice until later is that each symbol on the reel has its own flickering shadow because of the campfire in the corner! The designers really tried to emphasise the idea that these symbols are physical objects laying on the ground.
In many respects, Lost Relics is a fairly standard slot. It has Wilds and Scatters like many other games, for example. The main difference, however, is that there is a 5 by 5 playing field. Wins are not determined by paylines but by clusters. The goal is to get 6 or more of the same symbol to touch horizontally or vertically.
That happens fairly regularly though not all the time, which fit my experience with the reported High Volatility. Getting 6 symbols to touch is a little more likely since there aren’t that many symbols in the game. Wilds actually don’t show up at all in the base game, unless activated by a special random feature.
The features in the game are:
These features really helped liven the game up a lot and I thought they definitely found their place in the game. Getting a win is reason enough to get excited but what can always happen is that the symbols fall away and reveal a hidden extra underneath.
This can be a Coin Win, Scatter Symbol or Wild. The Coin Wins are added to your win, the Scatter Symbol triggers the Free Spins mode and the Wild helps get another win, besides any existing cluster. A Wild can also be part of more than 1 cluster at the same time.
The Free Spins mode triggered fairly regularly for me. The goal here is to uncover as much of the playing field as possible by getting clusters and having their tiles explode. This is because there are hidden treasures underneath: small, medium and large.
Once all tiles above a chest are removed by getting clusters on them, the content of the chest is yours. This can be a Coin Win, additional Free Spins or Sticky Wilds. In my experience, the Free Spins mode was very lucrative and getting there was often more than worth it.
The whole experience really felt like digging for treasures. The Free Spins mode has a new background screen as well, showing us delving deep under the earth and uncovering these special treasures.
Bonus type: No Deposit, Low Wagering, Free Play, Sign Up, Free Money, Welcome Bonus, Registration
Min Deposit: No Deposit
Bonus type: Coupon, Code, Welcome Bonus, Registration, Sign Up, Deposit Bonus, First Deposit Bonus
Min Deposit: $10
Wagering: 60x
Lost Relics is a prime example of what NetEnt can do. It has a solid idea that they expanded on through their mechanics and features. It looks amazing and plays really well. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on since they incorporated the idea of ancient ruins with the appearance of the slot. Every time the Free Spins mode activated the tiles would move out of the way and back into the frame as if driven by hidden gears and mechanics. Very cool.
If you’re someone who only likes classic slots, this game might not be for you. The clusters paid off regularly for me but they are still a rather big departure from the standard type of play you might be used to. Not giving this slot a try would be missing out in my opinion. There is a lot to see and do while you play Lost Relics.
I enjoyed Lost Relics a lot when it first came out. I’ve always been a fan of adventure movies and this game does a good job capturing that vibe. If you’re an Indiana Jones fan you might also enjoy the similar slot Rich Wilde’s Aztec Idols by Play ‘n Go. This slot offers a more standard experience and drops you into the fedora of a brave explorer.
With the game’s high volatility I’d suggest some holding back when it comes to the size of your bets. With the ability to choose somewhere between $0.20 and $400 per spin you can imagine how fast it can drop. However, a max. win of 300x your bet might also make up for it!
