Sometimes a slot game comes along and takes a somewhat different slant on things, ditching the standard reels and format for a more unique take. Just like Fruit Warp, Turning Totems from Thunderkick is exactly one of these slots, and while all the basics are still there, it’s innovative outlook is in large part responsible for making this game different from the norm.
The game has a native American theme, drawing on caricatures of American indigenous tribes. A small cartoon American indian figure dances to the side of the screen in a traditional headdress, while the canyon and desert backdrop helps set the game in some relevant context. There are five totem poles across the screen, comprised of different coloured and changing blocks, which are in effect the game’s reels and symbols. From here, it’s up to you to find winning combinations across any of the 11 paylines active in the game.
As with many of the games you will see on our UK slots page, There are three rows across each reel, which each spin independently to tenerate the combination of symbols at any one time. Each of the blocks on the totem poles has their own distinct appearance and colour, and while you won’t find too many other symbols in play, they do give the game an interesting, unique twist.
Paylines can be formed from both directions, and the game comes with a very impressive RTP of 96.10%. That means over the long haul, this slot pays out 96.10% of its taking, representing a very slim house edge of under 4%. This puts it firmly in the upper echelons of high paying slots, and means it represents good value for money over other games – yet another reason to check it out for yourself.
While there aren’t too many symbols – five in the base game, to be exact – there are ample features here to keep things interesting as you spin your way through.
Aside from the main symbols, there’s a wild symbol to look our for. When it appears on your reels, the symbol shows a sleeping character. When these wilds spin onto your totem poles, they aren’t activated until they wake up, and it’s the Thunder Snake symbol that does the good work for you. This symbol can appear at any time, and it lights up the reel on which it lands, waking up any sleeping wilds and turning the entire reel into a winner. The wilds then act in the usual way, substituting for any other symbol you happen to be missing, while you also get rewarded with a single free spin for your troubles.
There’s no scatter symbol in Turning Totems, but there is a bonus round, which comes when you’ve got three or more of the Thunder Reels active at any one time. This triggers a five free spins bonus, with your Thunder Reels in place – effectively guaranteeing you some wins. Anecdotally, this is where most of the big in-games wins are to be found, with the wilds making it much easier to complete winning combinations and scoop your payline prizes.
While the game could perhaps do with the help of an extra bonus feature, there’s still enough going on here to keep most players happy for the duration of their session. The jackpot of 40x means there’s up to £4,000 to be won on big money spins, and the high RTP means you can expect to pick up smaller but more frequent wins than you’d find with other comparable slots.
Turning Totems goes in heavy on the theme and design of the game, which makes for an interesting backdrop to your slots play. If you’re tired of the same old game themes being copied from one slot to the next, you’ll find this game refreshing. Similarly, the way they structure the reels and the animations of the symbols make this feel like a high quality gaming experience from your first spin to the last. And with a decent RTP and good bonus features that can pay generously when luck is on your side, it’s becoming a firm favourite with slots fans everywhere.
But don’t just take my word for it – go and check this game out for yourself at our online casino, and discover what you could be missing. Plenty of players already have, and they’re returning time after time to take this modern Thunderkick classic for a spin.