Savannah Stacks Slot Review

There is no prize for guessing that Savannah Stacks has an African Safari theme. While there is nothing about the visual elements that pushes the envelope, the overall quality of the graphics is impressive. Everything is high resolution, and animal symbols have been given spotlight shading effects, which bring them to life and make them pop on the reels. Similarly, the soundtrack and sound effects given are of decent quality, but can be switched off in the menu. Mobile gamers should note that the game automatically starts with loud fanfare, but once turned off, it will not automatically play until toggled back on.

The most notable visual aspect of the Savannah Stacks game is the female ranger. While boasting some impressive pins, Gaming Corps have not been sleazy with her attire, which is much appreciated. This character, though nameless, does draw the eye thanks to simple but amusing animations. For example, when the player lands a winning combination on the reels, she will snap a quick shot, and (nostalgic for PC game players of the early 2000s) if the player is idle, she will shift her weight from foot to foot and check her watch.

As mentioned, you will see all the typical fayre in this slot with the full paytable presented below:

The Savannah Stacks game keeps its bonus elements simple but effective with a stacking symbols mechanism and a free spins bonus round, which are explored in more detail below:

Stacks Feature

If you have played a few slots before, you will have heard of stacked symbols. This is a core mechanism of the game and activates when a reel is full of the same symbol. All symbols used in Savannah Stacks can appear stacked, and when they do, the Savannah Stacks feature increases the win multiplier by +1x. All spin payouts receive this multiplier, and base game multipliers can reach up to 6x.

Free Spins

The sole bonus feature of the Savannah Stacks slot is free spins. Three Scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5 award 7 free spins. The feature may be retriggered by hitting 3 Scatters during the round, adding 5 more free spins with a total of 50 spins up for grabs. Unlike the original game, the multiplier will not reset between spins and can reach up to 25x the total stake.

Included in the free spins bonus is a ‘Bonus Guarantee’, which is a nifty addition which means you will always leave the bonus having won at least 10x your wager. If you end the spins under this, you will be granted 3 more spins. This can happen for a total of 50 spins, and if somehow your luck is running that badly, at the end of these, you will be awarded 10x your wager.

Not all games are meant to shatter the online slot status quo. Some games are designed to capture a trend, add branding, or expand a developer's repertoire. Savannah Stacks is well-made and creative, but it is not game-changing, placing it in the middle of this spectrum. Gaming Corps built this game to broaden their slots lineup, but I think also to be their signature safari-themed game.

Why do I think this? Well, firstly, the game looks great. Yes, there is nothing hyper-detailed or left-of-field, but the presentation is great; I particularly like the shading on the symbols giving it a ‘lit from within’ quality that I think will pop out on screens of all sizes.

 I like the use of the female ranger character at the side of the screen; her subtle animations add visual interest and give the slot a little personality. As a female gamer, I like that this character is clothed appropriately (no bikini-wearing Aztec priestesses here). Were I to change something, though, I would give her a name and backstory. There is clearly a love for players for recognisable characters; the Ancient Egyptian slot genre has Rich Wilde and John Hunter, and there is clearly a gap in the market within the Safari genre.

Second, Savannah Stacks has strong "bones." The math model, wager range, payouts, and bonuses are solid. They are not unusual, but there is no place in the game where the ball is dropped, notable in its own right, as even top developers can fall foul and create an average game with a low RTP.

Thirdly, while restricted to two, the game's bonus features feel thorough and include some exciting but seldom seen elements. Stacked symbols and win multipliers are commonplace, and is it even a modern slot without free spins? Where Savannah Stacks differs is the 'bonus guarantee', which guarantees at least 10x your stake if you trigger the free spins bonus, and this is my favourite feature. I wish more slots had it.

All in all, despite not being jaw-dropping, Savannah Stacks makes for an excellent Safari excursion worth checking out. I rate the game a strong 8.5/10.

Rating: 8.5