Ok, ok, we know that the Sparks slot was nothing to shout about. And yes, Neon Staxx was more Neon flat.
But, you can’t deny that if there’s one slots software provider that needs our hopeful optimism, NetEntertainment is right up there with WMS and Microgaming.
So why are we excited about a new NetEnt game that might not be any good?
Mostly because it’s a slow news week… wait, no… euh… because we have a pretty video? Yes. That’s the one.
And actually, Hook’s Heroes online slot looks, if not something ground-breaking, then at the very least, interesting.
Hopeful optimism remember?
Now put on your rose tinted glasses and watch the video.
An intriguing theme and the Hook’s Heroes slot video
We haven’t found a slot theme this endearing since we had a go playing on Wonky Wabbits… which granted wasn’t on NetEnt’s greatest hits list either.
We are really not doing a great job of selling the excitement are we?
OK, how about this: no, everyone has good months and bad months. And for every Neon Staxx and Sparks, there’s a brilliant Spinata Grande or Stickers, all out in 2015.
Basically, they are overdue a win. And whilst cynics might say that that will probably be with the August release of the Dazzle Me slot machine, we say that…
Yes probably.
Damn we’re bad at this.
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The nightmarish children pirate theme
Which is actually a compliment. The theme is brilliant.
Just on the right side of cute to make you ‘aww’ at the awesome graphics, with just enough darkness (check out the black eyes of the mermaid, or the clearly psychotic pirate captain) to make it appropriate for over 18s.
Add a catchy pirates of the Caribbean tune in the background, and it’s hard not to at least be intrigued by this new mobile slot.
That said, NetEnt have always been awesome at creating amazing themes, backgrounds and graphics.
The true test is in the game play.
What we know for sure about Hooks Heroes
We actually know plenty. We got to play it for the whole of 5 minutes when they were doing a short test of the game to players.
Yes we are special, but we didn’t want to mention it.
That said, 5 minutes wasn’t really enough to get a real feel for this mobile slot game. Mostly we’ve got most of our information from NetEnt themselves who have given us some info and stats:
- Return to player rate of 96.82% – so fairly high. Almost as high as Starburst.
- Win up to 36,000 in cash… on a single line bet. You read that right.
- 5 reels, 3 rows, 20 betlines
- Min/max bet: 0.20/200
- Trigger one of 3 features using 2 scatters only
- Choose from 3 different types of features and free spins
No, but really, what did you think when you played it
We think that we only hit one of the three features, and not even properly, so…
It looked great, ok? We opened it up, we smiled, the music made us spin…
We, maybe, weren’t bowled over with excitement, but we certainly felt like we could have played for longer, given the chance.
Tell me more about the 3 features
There are a total of 3 bonus games you can trigger: Fairy Feature, Mermaid Feature and the Pirate Feature.
If you get 2 scatters anywhere on screen, one of the 3 features will be chosen at random to give you one free re-spin.
Which, we suspect, will keep the action lively until you hit 3 or more scatters. Then things get interesting because you get to choose which of the three features you want, and 10 free spins to see how it plays out.
- Fairy Feature: On each spin you get anything from 2 to 5 extra Wilds placed on the reels in random positions. A little like the Lights mobile slot.
- Mermaid Feature: All wins are multiplied by 2 unless the win combination contains 1 or more Wilds, then the wins are multiplied by 4.
- Pirate Feature: The symbols on the screen act like scatters. So you get a win based on the number of symbols on the reels, without needing them to be on an active payline.
Play the free spins more than once
But here’s the very interesting news.
Whilst we suspect that 80% of the time you’ll trigger the free spins on 3 scatters, things get better when you get 4 or 5 scatters.
Because you’ll then get to pick from the feature 2 or 3 times, respectively.
That gives you 10 free spins on 3 scatters, 20 free spins on 4 scatters, and 30 free spins on 5 scatters.
And you can choose the same feature again and again, or try each one.
Excitement level on a scale of 1 to 10?
This might seem like the most pussy ass answer in the world but… 5.
And we’d tell you if we hated it. We had no problem demolishing Steam Tower before and after it came out.
We just don’t know the potential of this Hooks Hero mobile slot. When we played it, we enjoyed it enough, but it didn’t automatically make our eyes sparkle with slot desire.
That said, we got two scatters once, so only experienced the Pirate feature for one free re-spin. We suspect that underneath these children pirates lies the heart of a true killer machine.
Just look at their tiny beady eyes. That are hiding treasure all right, and we will be the first to find it on the 23rd of October 2015.
Where can I play Hooks Heroes when it comes out?
So many NetEnt casinos online and on mobile.
Meanwhile, why not remind yourself why NetEntertainment are awesome by going to Vera & John and enjoying an exclusive 10 free spins no deposit + 100% up to £€$200 bonus + 100 free spins on Spinata Grande on your first deposit?
Think of it as the date night that will re-ignite your fire for all things NetEntertainment.
And if you need to, you can always move on to the other 14 games providers V&J have on the books.
