By NetEnt
RTP 96.75%
Min bet $0.20
Max bet $100
Max Win bet x 5000
Popularity Medium
Min bet $0.20
Max bet $100
Max Win bet x 5000
Gamble Feature Multiplier, Walking re-spins, Freespins, Wilds, Scatter symbols
Layout 5x3
Devices Support all devices
Configurable Winlines No
Volatility Low
Progressive Jackpot No
Legend has it that Robin Hood was the noblest of characters who could have utilized his prowess in archery to work for either one of the kings. Instead, he resolved for a renegade’s life surrounded by mystery and one that he spent in hiding.
But his cause was noble and his name, real or invented, graces numerous movies, television series and this online slot by NetEnt. Robin Hood: Shifting Riches couldn’t offer a better payout mechanism in view of the premise.
Players can discover that winning outcomes are followed by shifting reels and win multipliers. The game comes with a standard layout of 3×5 that spins across 20 paylines.
I was happy to enjoy this rendition of the Robin Hood theme because the game gives more than just the basic set of extra features. This characteristic is matched by a set of animated symbols that liven up the reel set with their celebratory moves.
NetEnt’s designers have created a perfect setting for this Robin Hood adventure: a wood of ancient oaks steeped in autumn’s golden-yellow foliage. The reel set hints at a game of hiding between Robin and his Merry Men and the Sheriff of Nottingham’s armoured sentinels.
Robin Hood: Shifting Riches isn’t shy about throwing character symbols onto winning paylines. When either of the picture symbols forms a winning outcome, the character springs into action by celebrating the occasion.
Friar Tuck sends a heartfelt ‘cheers’ to you with his pint of beer, Maid Marian strikes a martial arts pose with her knives, Robin comes out from the trees and shoots an arrow, and so on.
This graphic element of the gaming experience is in full unison with a perfectly orchestrated musical piece, which I find to be nothing short of amazing.
I was pleased to discover several things going on in the shape of extra features and random events on the reel set. This contributes to a more dynamic game than your typical online slot, and it can give the occasional boost to your winning outcomes.
The multipliers are tied to the Shifting Reels feature. Every successive win factors-in a multiplier to the emerging winnings. The first reel shift adds a 2x, the second 3x and the third 5x. If the wins continue, the 5x multiplier is held until the ultimate winning outcome.
Wilds substitute for all symbols, except for the money bag and the free spins bonus. I thought it was important to mention that the wild symbol can land on the reels both during the Shifting Reels feature and in the free spins.
Here is the feature that constitutes the most exciting part of the game. This is so because the free spins bonus can trigger Shifting Reels and thereby win multipliers.
The way in which the bonus is triggered, however, is different from most other slots that have a 3×5 layout. The Free Spins symbol doesn’t appear in the base game, which I find beneficial because that’s one less symbol to clutter the reels.
What triggers the bonus are the money bags. You have to see four of these dropped in one of the chests below the reels. In my experience, this symbol is exceedingly rare. I can’t pinpoint the rate at which it drops, but it isn’t common at all, which makes perfect sense.
It is very likely that the free spins bonus will trigger if you stay with the game long enough. I found it worth the wait because all features are on during the bonus, where you get a second wild in one of the high-paying symbols, plus, for every two Free Spins symbols stopping on the reel set you get 5 free spins, while three of these symbols add 10 free spins.
I can say that NetEnt has made an ideal fusion between all of the extra features and the Shifting Reels payout mechanic. It all works perfectly as it doesn’t overbear the gameplay, yet it can make tremendous improvements on the winning outcomes.
We have an interesting payout structure – one that doesn’t take away from the winning potential on account of the win multipliers.
Starting from low to high, all symbols in the high-paying category pay between 0.35x and 0.75x your bet for three of a kind. Four matching symbols pay at least 1.5x, or in the best instance, 15x your bet for Robin Hood’s symbol.
The most lucrative payout comes with five of Robin Hood’s symbols – 50x your bet. In my overview of some of the payouts I didn’t include the possibility of getting a win multiplier on the outcome. When you consider anything between 2x and 5x the winning outcome.
As for the low-paying category which consists of royal cards and the ten-card, it is expected that payouts consisting of these symbols are going to be more numerous, but then again, Robin Hood: Shifting Riches has enough going on in terms of extra features that even the low-paying symbols can be made to pay more.
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
The 20 paylines make sure that more winning outcomes don’t slip through the cracks, which is exactly what I needed for a game that has low to medium variance. The RTP is favourable, at 96.75%, which rounds up a set of specs that I prefer.
Overall, this is a game that comes with a good payout potential and does well to generate a thrilling gaming experience. Chances for a big win should be sought in the free spins bonus, but as I said, this is an outcome that seems to be more apt at hiding than Robin Hood himself.
