The Syndicate is a casino-themed slot machine developed by NetEnt, a renowned software provider in the iGaming industry. Released in 2016, this game has managed to capture the attention of players worldwide with its unique blend of historical mystery and high-stakes gameplay.
Theme and Design
At first glance, The Syndicate appears to be an ordinary slot machine, but as you delve deeper into its features, it reveals a rich narrative that transports players to 18th-century Europe. Inspired by real-life events, such as the infamous Masonic syndicate-casino-au.com conspiracy theories of the time, the game’s design effectively recreates the sense of intrigue and deception associated with secret societies.
The reels are set against a dimly lit background, complete with vintage-style wallpaper and mysterious symbols that evoke an air of sophistication. The developers have also incorporated numerous animations and special effects to enhance the overall experience, including realistic sound effects, which add to the game’s immersive atmosphere.
Symbols
In keeping with its historical theme, The Syndicate features a wide range of symbol types that are both unique and familiar at the same time. The basic icons include playing card values (9-A), complemented by more thematic symbols like diamonds, spades, clubs, and hearts. However, it’s not until you encounter higher-paying characters such as women in period dresses, gentlemen with top hats, or even a conspiratorial-looking man with a cloak that the game truly comes alive.
Some of these symbols are wild substitutes for other icons, including the high-value characters mentioned above. Wilds can be replaced by any basic symbol (9-A) and increase your chances of securing wins by expanding to cover entire reels or becoming sticky during certain features.
Payouts
In terms of payouts, The Syndicate offers a 96% Return to Player (RTP), which is an impressive figure for this type of game. This rate suggests that players can expect an average return on investment over time. Wins are calculated according to the standard combination rules: matching three or more icons in consecutive order from left to right.
A closer examination reveals some fascinating payout mechanics:
- Lower-paying symbols offer prizes ranging from 5x to 10x the total bet for five of a kind.
- Medium-payout characters award up to 20x the stake when five are aligned consecutively.
- High-stakes icons can grant between 50 and 100 times your wager when you hit consecutive sets.
Wilds
Wild symbols appear more frequently in The Syndicate than other slot games, providing additional chances for combinations. Some Wilds even become sticky during certain features, ensuring a boost to the player’s winning potential:
- A ‘ Sticky Wild’ mechanism freezes these icons on one of the five reels and remains locked until another spin is initiated.
- Stacked Wilds appear in consecutive sets when higher-paying symbols are activated, increasing overall winning opportunities.
Scatters
Free Spins – a game-changer for many players – are triggered by at least three Scatter symbols. When they appear anywhere on the grid, players gain 10 Free Spin awards with their respective bet multipliers active throughout:
- Three Scattered icons earn you 10 free games without any multiplier applied.
- Four instances of these symbols result in an impressive 30 Free Spins multiplied five times your stake.
Bonus Features
Some hidden gems can be discovered during gameplay. For example, when a Wild lands on one specific reel (third from left), it unlocks the Bonus Wheel feature:
- A bonus round with randomly selected awards between 5x and 50x total bet begins immediately.
- Some combinations allow up to three instances of these free spins in succession.
Another notable aspect is that you may have noticed how much richer winning potential becomes when particular icons line up properly. When five consecutive sets (all six symbols) land consecutively on a single reel or adjacent reels, your chance at major success increases:
- High-payout icons award 10x to 40 times higher payout than what was mentioned previously.
- Five high-paying combinations could grant between 1k and 5k when playing with lower bets.
Free Spins
The true highlight of any slot machine – the free spin feature – is implemented well within The Syndicate:
- After triggering these free rounds, each game begins from leftmost reel to right.
