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A Modern Take on a Historical Conspiracy
The infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a notorious scheme to obliterate the Houses of Parliament, serves as the dramatic backdrop for a compelling new online slot. The story of Guy Fawkes, whose plot was thwarted at the eleventh hour, has been a cornerstone of British history, commemorated annually with fireworks and fanfare. Game developer Wicked Games has channeled this explosive historical narrative into its title, “Fawkes,” offering a creative interpretation of the conspirator’s final days.
Departing from the grim reality of the tale, the game presents a visually rich and surprisingly charming atmosphere. Set against the cobblestone streets and timber-framed buildings of historic London, the 6-reel, 4-row grid is populated with thematic symbols ranging from royal figures to knights. The game cleverly integrates the brutal historical punishment of being hanged, drawn, and quartered into its core mechanics, transforming these grim acts into dynamic features where Wild symbols expand, split, and multiply.
Fawkes: Key Game Statistics
- Game Studio: Wicked Games
- Return to Player (RTP): 96.23%
- Feature Buy RTP: 96.33%
- Paylines: 4,096 ways to win
- Volatility: Medium
- Betting Range: 0.20 to 400
- Maximum Win: 20,000x the stake
Base Game Mechanics and Features
Victories in Fawkes are achieved by aligning three or more identical symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel, across the game’s expansive 4,096 pay ways. The game includes ten standard paying symbols. Lower-value royal icons award up to 1x the bet for a set of six, while premium symbols like keys, swords, lanterns, a Knight, and a King offer payouts from 1.25x to 2.5x for a full line. Wild symbols can appear on reels two through six, substituting for any regular symbol to help form winning combinations.
The Gunpowder Cache Reel
Positioned beneath the main grid is a special horizontal reel known as the Gunpowder Cache. With each spin, this reel may reveal Gunpowder Barrels. When these barrels land in conjunction with one or more Wild symbols on the main reels, they activate a powerful Execution Modifier. These barrels are also the key to unlocking the Free Spins rounds.
There are three distinct Execution Modifiers, each tied to the position of the Gunpowder Barrels on the Cache reel:
- Hanged: Triggered when barrels appear on reels 1 or 4. Any Wild symbol that lands partially in view will nudge to cover its entire reel.
- Drawn: Activated by barrels on reels 2 or 5. Every position occupied by a Wild is split into two, effectively increasing the number of ways to win.
- Quartered: Initiated by barrels on reels 3 or 6. Any Wild symbol is randomly duplicated onto an adjacent reel. If these replicated Wilds overlap, they transform into multipliers of up to 3x.
Free Spins Bonus Rounds
The main bonus feature is triggered by landing four or more Gunpowder Barrels in the Cache reel. The quantity of barrels determines the type and intensity of the bonus round awarded.
- 4 Barrels: Unlocks 11 free spins, offering players a choice between the Hanged or Drawn bonus modes, where the corresponding modifier is active for every Wild that appears.
- 5 Barrels: Awards 8 Quartered free spins, with the Quartered modifier enhancing every Wild symbol.
- 6 Barrels: Initiates 5 High Treason spins, the game’s most potent mode. Here, all three Execution Modifiers (Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered) are activated simultaneously whenever a Wild symbol lands.
During any of the free spins modes, Gunpowder Barrels can continue to appear in the Cache reel. Barrels under the first reel grant 1 to 5 additional spins, while those under the other reels add extra Wild symbols to the grid above, further boosting the win potential.
Ante Bet and Feature Purchase Options
For players seeking to intensify the action, Fawkes provides several strategic choices. The Ante Bet feature, at a cost of double the stake per spin, triples the likelihood of triggering a bonus round. Alternatively, for 10x the bet, a spin can be purchased that guarantees an Execution Modifier will activate while also tripling the bonus trigger chance. A direct path to the bonus rounds is available through several Bonus Buy options, costing 75x, 150x, and 600x the bet to trigger the 4, 5, or 6 scatter features, respectively. Two “mystery chance” buys are also offered for a chance at the more valuable bonuses.
Final Impression
Wicked Games has masterfully transformed a dark chapter of history into an explosive and engaging slot experience. The game excels in its visual presentation and thematic integration, creating a charming yet potent gameplay loop. The core mechanics, built around the innovative Gunpowder Cache and its multifaceted Wild modifiers, ensure that even the base game remains exciting and unpredictable.
The true power of Fawkes is unleashed within its tiered free spins features. While the High Treason spins are the ultimate prize, each bonus level offers substantial potential for significant rewards. The escalating modifiers, combined with the possibility of earning extra spins and Wilds, create a thrilling dynamic where the game’s 20,000x maximum win feels genuinely attainable. By skillfully balancing historical narrative with compelling features, Fawkes stands out as a powerful and memorable title that offers all the excitement of Bonfire Night with none of the risk.
