Area Link Phoenix Slot Machine: Review & Demo
The list of Games Global partner studios continues to grow, and Area Vegas is the latest to join it. It’s a new studio and its first slot machine is Area Link Phoenix. The intention is to give players a new take on the Link & Win respins, which are already popular in Games Global’s casinos' network. Theme-wise, it’s inspired by the Phoenix bird.
Area Link Phoenix will deliver prizes of up to 5,000x the round’s stake, capped at $250,000. The medium volatility claimed for it will make it a more accessible slot than most we get these days, and the RTP can go up to 96.46%. The features will be familiar, whether it’s wilds or Fireballs leading to the Area Link respins, though some interesting upgrades are also available.
Area Link Phoenix Betting and Prizes
The betting range shouldn’t be a surprise since it starts from a minimum of $0.20, which will be enough to cover 20 lines with $0.01 wagers. Alternatively, a bet of up to $50 can be selected.
Like most slot machines we’ve seen at Games Global, the cap on the possible winnings in Area Link Phoenix will be $250,000. For the wagers allowed inside, that would mean a return of up to 5,000x.
I liked the medium volatility of Area Link Phoenix, especially with that Grand Jackpot worth 5,000x the stake. A range is used for the RTP, so while you may get the game in a version at 96.46%, it could also be lower.
Slot Features
A wild symbol will be available, taking the form of a Phoenix bird on the reels. It’s a substitute, usually, but sometimes you may get it to form combinations by itself. With 3 to 5 wilds aligned on a line, up to 10x the stake could be paid. These are also stacked symbols.
Area Link is described as the developer’s version of the Hold & Win/Link & Win respins. The difference is that the triggering mechanic is random. The requirement is to get one or more types of Fireballs on the reels. You will go through 3 respins in this feature, and the new Fireballs landing will reset the number of rounds. You can get random multipliers of up to 5x from these Fireballs, a second game area, or even a collection of the prizes displayed.
Theme & Design
Surrounded by fire, the reels of Area Link Phoenix are getting a good design overall, but I feel like the symbols aren’t doing enough to keep the story going. It’s got the Fireballs, the Phoenix Wild and the Phoenix Feathers, but otherwise, there are 10 other unrelated symbols (four of which are gems, the others Royals).
Conclusion
Area Link Phoenix is not a bad first attempt from a new developer, and it’s starting with some unique mechanics bolted on an already established feature.
