NetEnt would like you to climb up a giant plant! That’s odd of them, you might think, but only if you don’t know (and we know that you do) one of the archetypal folk/fairy tales of English culture, and one – with its themes of fortune-hunting and risk talking – that’s very suitable for the online gambling scene.
The Jack and the Beanstalk slot machine is a very sophisticated game, with some really nice graphics that put a lot of effort into its bonus game. The graphics and sound are great quality, and also show that the theming of this game has some depth – it isn’t just an afterthought. Jack and the Beanstalk slot is a high volatility game and has a huge top prize to go with those lovely graphics and involving sound.
Should you start climbing to the giant’s lair in the sky? Let’s have a look in this Jack and the Beanstalk slot review and don’t forget to also try the Jack and the Beanstalk free play demo!
Let’s start straight in here with the standout figure, the maximum win figure of 600,000 coins. That’s a big jackpot for a non-networked machine, and it helps to explain why this machine has a relatively generous theoretical return to player (RTP) of 96.3% while being rated as high volatility – this means fewer prizes are awarded to players, but they tend to be bigger prizes.
So far so good. To get that top prize you’ll need to be at the top of the betting range, which runs from 0.2 coins to 100 coins. (Always make sure that you check the actual coin value and maximum pay-outs at the site you are using the game at.)
The layout of this game is the standard five-by-three grid of 15 symbols. Your wins are earned by hitting on one of up to 20 pay-lines that are numbered off down the side of the reels.
Any slot player has nothing to fear from Jack and the Beanstalk. Although the game has depth and sophistication its gameplay is easy to grasp, particularly if you’ve played any NetEnt games before, as the set-up is quite standardised across their titles.
The screen has big, squared-off reels. Under them, a simple information strip includes the button to open the pay-table and includes game information and the amount of your latest win.
Under this sits the control. Betting is controlled via pay-line levels (each new level adds pay lines, but it’s not a completely linear scale) and amount. The total bet window is at the far left of the control panel. Next is the level selector. To the right of that is the autoplay button. Autoplay features are very sophisticated these days, and allow you to set triggers – losses or wins – that will stop the sequence. This is important not just for gameplay, but also for safe gambling, and these stop features are something that UK gambling regulators have pushed for.
In the centre of the screen is a green spin button. To the right of that, the max bet window allows you to set the top stake, or you can use the feature to the right of that to set the value of coins you’re betting on each line. Finally, there’s a Balance window.
You’ll find help, settings, and sound controls in the game frame.
These 10 symbols are the meat of the pay-table, the bottom end of which is dominated by the standard playing cards, done very nicely in a stylized script that echoes the game’s theme.
The 10 pays three, 10, and 30-times stake for three, four, and five symbols respectively. Jacks pay four, 15, and 50-times stake. Queens pay five, 20, and 75-times stake. Kings pay five, 20, and 75-times stake. Aces pay six, 25, and 100-times stake.
Then we’re into the pictures. The watering can pay eight, 30, and 125-times stake. The axe pays 10, 50, and 250-times stake. The goat (a lovely picture!) pays out 10, 50, and 250-times stake. The two-headed purple giant (well, why not?!) pays 15, 100, and 750-times stake. Finally, Jack, pays 20, 200, and 1,000 times stake.
There are a lot of bonus features here.
A key symbol appearing on reel five unlocks a choice of wilds: three brings up double-stacked money bags, six keys earn stacked golden hens, nine keys earns expanding golden harp wilds.
Wilds (the game logo) earn respins with a walking wild that moves reel-by-reel from right to left.
All wins with wilds in have a three-times multiplier.
Jack and the Beanstalk free spins are earned with the scatter – a treasure chest. Three of these trigger 10 free spins, with sets of five retriggering from within the free-spin round if three more scatters come up.
We haven’t properly covered the mobile set-up of this game, but it’s really high quality and showcases NetEnt’s commitment to being a mobile-first company.
A single-screen control lets you drag meters to set bets before you play a single-button game screen. It’s great stuff and something you can expect across the NetEnt range.
This game has entertainment and quality in-depth, with some very rewarding bonus features that could see you getting big wins. The top prize of 600,000 coins (check the site you’re playing at) is fantastically tempting and is likely to see a lot of players climbing up that stalk.
Although this game has been out since 2013, the graphics look and feel bang up to date to us. In fact, games around that time had a really great look that was sophisticated and detailed in a way that repays examination.
NetEnt are a trusted and renowned company, and you’ll find this game all over your favourite online casino sites.
The RTP is good, but high variance makes this a slightly less tempting deal for players who like regular small wins.
Check this game out now at your favourite site, and give some other NetEnt titles and fairytale-themed games a look while you’re there.