Game Information
Review of the gaming machine Excalibur vs Gigablox from Yggdrasil
Introduction
Excalibur vs Gigablox is a joint project of the studios Yggdrasil and Hot Rise Games, combining epic atmosphere with medieval legends and the innovative Gigablox™ mechanic and unique Highrise Respins bonus. The slot offers a captivating gameplay on a 6×6 grid with 50 paylines and a maximum win of up to 4,050x the bet (up to €243,000).
Key Features
- Gigablox™ mechanic: gigantic symbols sized up to 6×6.
- Highrise Respins bonus with multipliers and precious stones.
- Random Wild symbols from transformed Gigablox.
- RTP by default — 96% (up to 96.3% with the purchase of a bonus).
- Volatility: medium–high.
Design and atmosphere
Excalibur vs Gigablox immerses the player in the world of knightly adventures and mythical sword Excalibur. The graphics are executed in a bright, yet epic style: the font resembles an ancient castle at sunset, while the characters are six brave warriors with unique traits. The animations are smooth, and the sound accompaniment includes majestic fanfares and sounds of swords during wins. The overall impression is a high-quality, modern slot with a high level of immersion and dynamic gameplay.
Characteristics and symbols
Parameter table
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Developer | Yggdrasil / Hot Rise Games |
| Release date | November 21, 2023. |
| Barabany / Linii | 6x6 / 50 fixed lines |
| Rate range | €0,50 – €60 |
| Max. Wins | 4,050x bets (up to €243,000) |
| RTP | 96% (standard), up to 96.3% with Buy Bonus |
| Volatility | Medium–high |
Payouts for combinations (at a rate of €1 per line)
- Knight in golden chests (highest symbol): 5 symbols — 5.0x bets.
- Knight in silver chests: 5 symbols — 3.0x bets.
- Knight in red chests: 5 symbols — 2.5x bets.
- Knight in blue chests: 5 symbols — 2.0x bets.
- Knight in green chests: 5 symbols — 1.5x bets.
- Low-paying J–A cards pay from 0.5x to 1.0x for 5 symbols.
Wins are formed when 3 or more identical symbols fall on an active line from left to right.
Bonus functions and unique mechanics
- Gigablox™: at any moment in the base game, giant symbols ranging from 2x2 to 6x6 can drop. They count as a single regular symbol, increasing the chances of big combinations.
- Random Wilds: some Gigablox symbols can randomly transform into Excalibur Wild, replacing all other symbols for forming wins.
- Highrise Respins: activates when 5 or more Scatter symbols (stones) drop. The player receives 3 initial respins. In each spin, only stones with multipliers (up to x100), empty cells, and special prize symbols appear. Each new stone resets the respin counter back to 3. If the entire field is filled — mega-prize activates up to 4,050x.
- Buy Bonus: for 100x the current bet, you can immediately activate Highrise Respins. In this case, RTP increases to 96.3%.
Expert opinions and recommendations
Excalibur vs Gigablox — an excellent choice for players who value balance between volatility and potential. The slot does not have extreme volatility, but thanks to Gigablox and the bonus with multipliers, it can deliver significant wins even in the base game.
Strategies for maximizing winnings
- Play with a moderate bankroll (minimum 200–300 spins) — volatility is medium-high.
- Do not ignore Buy Bonus if your budget allows: it increases RTP and guarantees entry into the most profitable round.
- Use the automatic mode with a time or balance limit to avoid missing the start of the bonus.
- In the mobile version, enable Quick Spin if available — it speeds up gameplay without compromising quality.
Mathematical model
- RTP: 96% (standard version), possible variants with 94%, 90.5% and 86% depending on the given.
- Volatility: medium-high - indicates occasional small wins and rare, but large cash-outs.
- Chances of winning:
- Base game: ~22–25% of spins bring wins.
- Gigablox appears in ~1 in 5 spins.
- Highrise Respins triggers approximately once in 300–400 spins.
- Maximum win (4,050x) - extremely rare event (less than 1 time in 10 million spins).
Compared to analogs
- Dragons vs Gigablox (Yggdrasil): similar mechanics, but with an eastern theme and slightly higher volatility.
- Hades Gigablox (Yggdrasil): mythological theme, RTP 96%, but without Hold-and-Win bonus.
- GigaGong Gigablox (Yggdrasil): New Year's atmosphere, analogous grid 6×6, but with a different type of bonus symbols.
Mobile version
Excalibur vs Gigablox fully adapted for mobile devices. The game works correctly on iOS and Android, supports all functions of the desktop version, including autoplay and fast spins. The interface scales to the screen, control buttons are conveniently placed, and the graphics maintain clarity even on older smartphones.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unique combination of Gigablox and Highrise Respins.
- High maximum win (4,050x).
- Excellent mobile optimization.
- Possibility to increase RTP through Buy Bonus.
- Bright, memorable theme.
Cons
- Bonus round is difficult to activate in the base game.
- Some casinos offer versions with reduced RTP (down to 86%).
- Absence of classic free spins - only respins.
Locking
Excalibur vs Gigablox - this is a modern, technically advanced slot, which will suit both fans of medieval themes and those who appreciate mechanics like Hold-and-Win. It does not break records for volatility, but compensates for this with visual appeal and well-thought-out mathematics.
Overall rating: 8.7/10
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who developed Excalibur vs Gigablox?
- The slot was created by studio Hot Rise Games and released under the Yggdrasil Gaming brand.
Can you play without a bet?
- Yes, the demo version is available on the sites of Yggdrasil's casino partners.
What is the minimum and maximum bet size?
- From €0.50 to €60 per spin.
Are there free spins in the slot?
- No, instead of them, the Highrise Respins bonus is used with the 'hold and win' mechanism.
Does the game support the Russian language?
- Yes, Yggdrasil provides localization, including Russian, in most licensed casinos.