The Explorer’s Quest Overview
The Explorer’s Quest slot machine is a captivating game developed by ZeusPlay, released in May 2017. This game invites players to delve into the mysteries of ancient Egypt with a unique twist: the pharaohs were aliens from outer space. The slot’s storyline revolves around the exploration of pyramids and tombs, with the main protagonist, Vanessa Goldhope, uncovering alien artefacts and treasures. The game features a distinctive 9-reel setup, providing a fresh take on the traditional slot format. For those unfamiliar with the gameplay, the Explorer’s Quest demo offers a hands-on opportunity to experience the features without any financial commitment.
The Explorer’s Quest Rules and Gameplay
The game structure of this slot is quite unconventional, featuring 9 reels and 3 rows with 10 fixed paylines. The central reel is shared, effectively creating two sets of 5-reel slots. This unique setup allows for wins to be counted from both left to right and right to left, enhancing the chances of winning combinations. The paylines are fixed, ensuring that players engage with all lines on every spin.
The slot boasts an RTP of 96.3%, which is fairly standard for the industry, ensuring a balanced return for players over time. The volatility is low to medium, meaning players can expect frequent but smaller wins, making it ideal for those who prefer steady gameplay without extreme fluctuations. Players can enjoy the Explorer’s Quest online for both real money and practice play to understand the game rules better.
Play Instructions
The user interface of this game is designed for ease of navigation. The controls are conveniently located below the main interface, allowing players to set their preferred bet size, enable the autoplay feature, spin the reels, and access additional options through the in-game menu. The design is consistent and intuitive, ensuring a smooth user experience.
- Coin Value: Adjusts the value of each coin bet.
- Bet Size: Sets the total bet amount per spin.
- Spin: Initiates a single spin of the reels.
- Autoplay: Allows the reels to spin automatically for a set number of times.
- Slot Information: Provides details about the slot, including the paytable and game rules.
- Mute: Toggles the sound on or off.
The bet size ranges from $0.10 to $30, accommodating both casual players and high rollers. Players can adjust the coin value and the number of coins per line to customize their total bet. The game also features a ‘Bet Max’ option for those who wish to play with the highest possible stakes. The Explorer’s Quest play interface ensures that all controls are easily accessible and user-friendly.
Game Rules
The Explorer’s Quest Symbols & Paytable
The symbols in the Explorer’s Quest slot machine are a blend of traditional and thematic icons that reflect the game’s unique storyline. The high-paying symbols include Vanessa Goldhope, a backpack, a scarab, and a golden chest, while the low-paying symbols are represented by standard playing card values (10, J, Q, K, A). Each symbol is intricately designed to fit the Egyptian and sci-fi theme, with animations and sound effects that enhance the overall gaming experience. Players can explore the Explorer’s Quest demo to familiarize themselves with these symbols before playing for real money.
Paytable
| Symbols | 2x | 3x | 4x | 5x | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vanessa Goldhope | 0.10 | 0.50 | 5 | 50 |
 | Golden Chest | 0.10 | 0.40 | 4 | 10 |
 | Scarab | 0.05 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 3 |
 | Backpack | 0.05 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 2 |
 | A Symbol | 0.04 | 0.40 | 1.50 | |
 | K Symbol | 0.04 | 0.40 | 1.50 | |
 | Q Symbol | 0.02 | 0.10 | 1 | |
 | J Symbol | 0.02 | 0.10 | 1 | |
 | 10 Symbol | 0.02 | 0.10 | 1 | |
Special Symbol Overview
Special symbols play a crucial role in enhancing the gameplay experience and increasing winning potential in the Explorer’s Quest casino game. These symbols include the Wild, Scatter, and Bonus symbols, each with unique features and effects.
Wild Symbol
The Wild symbol in this slot is represented by the pharaoh Nerul. This symbol can substitute for all other symbols except the Scatter and Bonus symbols to form winning combinations. It appears on reels 1, 5, and 9 and can significantly boost the chances of hitting a win. When the Wild symbol is part of a winning combination, it triggers a special animation that highlights its importance.
Scatter Symbol
The Scatter symbol is also represented by the pharaoh Nerul, but it serves a different purpose. Landing three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the Free Spins feature. This symbol’s appearance is accompanied by a unique sound effect, adding to the excitement of triggering the bonus round.
Bonus Symbol
The Bonus symbol is represented by Nerul’s chest. It appears on reels 3 and 7 and triggers the Nerul’s Treasure feature when landed. This feature offers a random bet multiplier ranging from 1x to 50x, providing an additional opportunity for significant payouts.
The Explorer’s Quest Game Features
The Explorer’s Quest game offers a variety of engaging features that enhance the gameplay experience and provide opportunities for substantial rewards. These features include Free Spins, the Nerul’s Treasure bonus game, and a Gamble mini-game, each adding a layer of excitement and interactivity to the slot. Players can enjoy these features in the Explorer’s Quest free mode to get a feel for the game before depositing real money.
Free Spins
The Free Spins feature is triggered by landing three or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Once activated, a random special symbol and a random number of free spins, up to 20, are selected. The special symbol expands on the appearing reels and pays on any positions of the selected paylines, increasing the chances of significant wins. Additionally, the Free Spins feature can be retriggered indefinitely, allowing for extended play and more opportunities to win. This feature is one of the key attractions in the Explorer’s Quest slot machine.
Nerul’s Treasure
The Nerul’s Treasure feature is activated by landing the Bonus symbol (Nerul’s chest) on reels 3 and 7. When triggered, players receive a random bet multiplier ranging from 1x to 50x. This feature adds an element of surprise and can significantly boost the player’s winnings. The Explorer’s Quest play experience is enriched with this exciting bonus game.
Gamble Mini-Game
After each win, players have the option to enter a Gamble mini-game for a chance to double their earnings. In this game, players choose between “red” and “black.” If the revealed hidden card matches the player’s choice, the win is doubled. However, if the guess is incorrect, the player loses all winnings gathered up to that point, including those from the triggering spin. The Gamble feature ends when the player either cashes out or loses. This mini-game adds an extra layer of risk and reward to the Explorer’s Quest online slot.
Mobile Playability
The Explorer’s Quest slot machine is designed to be accessible on various platforms, including desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. It supports both iOS and Android systems, ensuring a wide range of compatibility. The game interface is optimized for smaller screens, with simplified controls and an intuitive layout that enhances the mobile gaming experience. Players can enjoy the game in both landscape and portrait modes on tablets and smartphones. The mobile version maintains the high-quality graphics and smooth animations of the desktop version, ensuring an immersive and enjoyable experience on the go. This makes the Explorer’s Quest game a versatile option for players who prefer to play on their smartphone or tablet.
Final Verdict
The Explorer’s Quest slot machine stands out with its unique blend of ancient Egyptian and sci-fi themes, engaging storyline, and innovative 9-reel setup. The game’s strengths lie in its captivating design, frequent payouts due to low to medium volatility, and a variety of bonus features that keep the gameplay exciting. The Free Spins and Nerul’s Treasure features, in particular, offer substantial winning potential and add layers of excitement.
However, the game does have some limitations, such as a relatively low maximum bet and a lack of mobile optimization noted in some reviews. Despite these minor drawbacks, the slot is highly recommended for players who enjoy themed slots with a twist and those who appreciate frequent, smaller wins. The Explorer’s Quest demo is available for those who want to try the game without any financial commitment.
The target audience for this game includes fans of adventure and ancient Egypt themes, as well as players who prefer low to medium volatility slots. For those interested in similar games, Cleopatra by IGT, Book of Ra by Novomatic, and Treasures of the Pyramids by NetEnt are excellent alternatives that offer comparable themes and features. These games, like the Explorer’s Quest slot machine, provide engaging gameplay and substantial winning opportunities.
Game Screenshots
