Review of the Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck is now six years old it came out in 2003 yet it remains one of Microgaming's most popular titles, and you can still find it at most online casinos despite the fact that its technically been superseded by newer titles.

The strength of this game, and what gives it its durability, is solid gameplay, a decently high jackpot (10,000 coins), and a flexibility of coin size that makes it attractive to both high rollers and casual slots fans.

Review:
Ah, Thor, ancient Norse god of Thunder, with his mighty hammer for smiting fools. I must point out, for those who are wondering, that the Thor represented in Microgaming's Thunderstruck isn't the namby pamby Thor of DC Comics fame he of the heavily conditioned hair and the spandex pants, prancing about with his feathered cap and smooth chin.

No, this is hard core Thor, vicious and unforgiving Mighty Thor, he of giant hammer, steel helm and bushy beard, with a glint in his eye that speaks of war, pillage and binge drinking. You can see why he's more popular.

The game's designers don't take themselves too seriously, which is a good thing, because if they went too far into the realm of Norse mythology, it would ruin it. Instead, we're treated to imagery that includes the traditional high playing cards, but displayed in a format that makes them appear blasted into rock and sizzling with electricity. There is a certain air of 80's metal about this.

Aside from those, you also have mighty Thor himself in his shiny hat (okay, helmet), the brutal head of his hammer, for some reason separated from its haft which is a symbol on its own. You also have generous stabs of lightning everywhere, and a big horn, presumably for belting out calls to arms and the like.

Oh, there's also some purple sheep floating about with necklaces on, looking aloof and superior. They do in fact have a purpose, which we'll get to in a minute.

Wild Symbol:
Thor is the wild symbol. His purpose is twofold you use him to complete winning combination's of symbols that were otherwise missing something, and when he does this, he auto-magically doubles the value of the win.

He's also worth money on his own, as multiples of him start earning cash up to 10,000 coins the game's top prize.

Scatter Symbol:
Those purple sheep are actually Rams, according to the pay table. I still think they're sheep, but never mind. When at least 2 of them show up, anywhere on the reels, you get an instant coin payout which is a multiple of whatever your initial bet was.

Also, if at least three of them show up ...

Free Spins:
... you win free spins. Free spins mode is brilliant, not only because it's free, but because when you win something during free spins mode, it gets multiplied by 3 straight off the bat.

Free spins mode can get re-triggered if you hit more purple sheep during your free spins.

Bonus Round:

There isn't a bonus round as such, but there is a gamble mode that's available whenever you win something. Basically, a face down card appears. You can double your win by correctly guessing the colour (red or black), or quadruple it by correctly guessing the suit.