Introduction to Jane Hunter’s Adventure
For those seasoned adventurers among us who have traversed the Pragmatic Play landscape, you’re likely familiar with their resident Indiana Jones-esque character, John Hunter. Now, proving that adventure runs in the family, we have Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma, where the spotlight shines on John’s equally Jiliko daring sister, Jane. Jane isn’t one to let her brother hog all the glory; she’s embarked on her own expedition to an undisclosed Mesoamerican destination in search of fame and fortune.
Familiar Yet Fresh Setting
If you’ve explored the world of slots before, you’ve probably found yourself in similar locales once or twice (or perhaps many times). In Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma, we find ourselves amidst dense jungle surroundings adorned with cultural artifacts like step pyramids and intricately carved stone objects scattered about. The visual aesthetic of Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma, brought to life by Jiliko, doesn’t offer anything particularly groundbreaking, but it does evoke the thrill of ancient exploration effectively.
Standard Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay unfolds on a standard 5-reel, 3-row grid, featuring 10 fixed paylines for landing winning combinations ranging from 3 to 5 matching symbols. Achieving a 5-symbol win comprised of the 10 to A card suits rewards 10 times the initial bet, while landing premium symbols such as binoculars, digging instruments, satchels, or Janes themselves yields payouts ranging from 50 to 200 times the stake. The golden circular mask serves as the wild symbol in Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma, appearing on all five reels. Wilds have the power to substitute for any regular pay symbols and offer rewards of up to 500 times the bet for a line of 5 wild symbols.
Slot Features and Bonus Games
Jane’s debut, enhanced by Jiliko, features some familiar yet engaging gaming devices: a Pick Bonus Game and free spins with a money symbol collection element.
Engaging Pick Bonus Game
In the base game, the Bonus symbol exclusively appears on the rightmost reel. Upon its activation, players are presented with 5 chests to choose from. Each selected chest reveals an instant prize, which may include a cash reward ranging from 2x to 40x the initial bet, or alternatively, 10, 15, or 20 free spins. This feature, simple yet Jiliko effective, adds an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay.
Exciting Free Spins Feature
Alternatively, landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols triggers 10, 15, or 20 free spins, respectively. During these free spins, the four premium symbols also function as Money symbols, each assigned a value at the beginning of the round. Whenever a wild symbol appears simultaneously with Money symbols, their values are awarded. Additionally, Money symbols are collected by their respective meters upon landing. As the collection progresses, reaching specific levels enhances the Money symbol values for the remainder of the feature.
Symbol Value Progression
The progression system for symbol values adds a strategic element to the free spins. As players collect more symbols, their values increase, potentially leading to significant rewards. For instance:
- Jane: Starts at 10 times the initial bet, increasing by +5 with each level up. The required number of symbols to level up starts at 13 and increases by 3 for each subsequent level.
- Satchel: Begins at 5 times the bet, increasing by +3 upon leveling up. The initial requirement for leveling up is 11 symbols, which increases by 3 for each subsequent level.
- Pick/shovel: Starting at 3 times the bet, this symbol’s value increases by +2 with each level up. The initial prerequisite for leveling up is 9 symbols, increasing by 2 for each following level.
- Binoculars: Begins with a value of 2 times the bet, increasing by +1 upon leveling up. The initial condition for leveling up is 7 symbols, which increases by 2 for each subsequent level.
Slot Verdict
Brother John Hunter has embarked on numerous expeditions over the years, venturing to distant lands like Egypt and South/Central America. With the exception of Bermuda, he tends to explore typical locations within the online slot world. Unlike Kane from ELK Studios’ Gold slots series, who delves into more unconventional settings, John seems content with familiar territories, hoping to uncover overlooked treasures amidst well-trodden paths. Similarly, his sister Jane follows suit. While Jane has maintained a cautious approach to her adventures thus far, she has stumbled upon a couple of “treasures” that may appeal to fans of Pragmatic Play’s portfolio, now available on Jiliko.
Conclusion: Solid Yet Unremarkable
One notable aspect of Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma is the trademark polish often associated with Pragmatic Play slots. The game exudes a glitzy allure, boasting high-quality design and a touch of the ambiance reminiscent of land-based casinos. However, the theme itself is not particularly unique, apart from the fact that players accompany John’s sibling on her journey. As expected, the Aztec/Inca/Ancient American slot genre is well-represented. Moving on to the gameplay, another Jiliko noteworthy detail is the relatively low number of paylines paired with a generous upper pay table. While it may not reach the status of iconic games like “Book of,” the potential for substantial wins, particularly with 5-symbol combinations, adds an element of excitement. The bonus round, while not groundbreaking, offers an enjoyable experience, particularly with its rewarding money symbol payouts.
Pragmatic Play made an intriguing choice by spotlighting a female explorer instead of extending the John Hunter series. However, Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma could have left a more significant impact if the theme had been more daring. Nevertheless, the game’s respectable win cap of 5,000 times the bet serves as a satisfying conclusion. Overall, Jane Hunter and the Mask of Montezuma can be described as respectable, if not groundbreaking, offering a solid gaming experience on Jiliko.