Horus Gold

Capecod Gaming, the Italian game design firm responsible for some notable recent titles, brings its considerable talents to bear on ancient Egypt in Horus Gold. It features outstanding design and several lucrative bonus features. Egyptian themes have provided the basis for a seemingly endless parade of slot games over the years, but the lazy, stereotype-laden tropes so common to the genre seem anathema to the Capecod design team: this beautifully-built title is based on the falcon war-god Horus.

Theme

The epic, limestone-laden look of Ancient Egypt rules over all elements of design here. The mighty Horus, seen in profile with his blue eye staring back at the player, triggers the Bonus Horus feature; other gaming symbols include a coiled cobra (acting as wild), the sphinx (acting as scatter), as well as several hieroglyphic, scarab beetles, ankhs, and stylized versions of the playing card values ace through nine. The soundtrack and background both evoke that particularly Ancient Egyptian iteration of North Africa.

Betting Options and Functions

Attention to detail extends beyond this game’s theme and visuals and into its betting structure. Bet lines are adjustable from 1–25, while bet per line can be set from 0.01–0.50 times the betting currency: this yields an overall per-spin betting range of 0.01–12.50 per spin. Icons at the bottom of the game screen allow players to view the paytable, hand history, and game rules in detail, as well as change game settings, sound settings, or toggle fullscreen play. The theoretical return-to-player is a middle-of-the-road 95.09%.

Features

Ancient Egypt is a ripe setting for bonus features, and the Capecod Gaming team takes full advantage. Three or more of the sphinx scatter symbol, appearing anywhere on the reels, set free spins in motion. Free spins resemble the base game, with two important exceptions: first, an intimidating mummy with a cobra staff may appear on the middle reel, acting as a stacked wild to help trigger wins; and second, another new gamings symbol appears on the reels: a glowing book. Three or more appearances of this book icon on the reels opens the second phase of bonus play, called the Magic Spin Bonus. Each of the magic book gaming symbols transform into a unique prize to be awarded to the player.

Not content with only one multi-tiered bonus feature, the design team included Bonus Horus as well. This is triggered by the appearance of 5 Horus symbols anywhere on the reels. Players are taken to a new screen and presented with five sarcophagi. Choose three to reveal the sizable payouts inside.

Our Take

Capecod Gaming is fast becoming a design company to be relied upon to consistently exceed expectations, and while Horus Gold is perhaps not its best overall title, it still stands well above most of the competition in quality, design, and bonus features. Likewise, while few players are likely to be excited by the appearance of yet another Egyptian-themed title, this game is as good as they come.