The Curse of the Frankenstein Slot
What really stood out for me with this game is the music. Barcrest has managed to integrate a classic horror movie soundtrack from the days of b-movies into this game – and has done an excellent job. The overall look of the game is better than many of their titles too. It has the feel of a live slot, which has been brought online later. There are 10 win lines and a free spins bonus round to keep you entertained. Even more entertaining is the top prize from play on the reels, which is a generous 5000 coins.
The frame around this slot sets the scene nicely. This is a blood-red interior of a castle. Controls for the slot are old style dials and switches, with a pulsating green ‘spins’ button. On the reels there is a mixture of photos from old hammer house of horror films, and playing card symbols which look like they are stitched together Frankenstein style. When you hit a winning combination, you will see electricity flow between nodes above and below the reels. It is the sounds which really make this slot. The soundtrack classical instruments are great, and the screams, thuds and ‘aaarrgh’ type noises are superb. There are short film clips within some of the symbols when you hit a win.
There is only a single bonus game, which is a free spins round. This is fairly standard, though the effect of green liquid swamping the screen when it starts and finished is certainly unique.
Setup and Play for The Curse of Frankenstein
This is a 10 line slot with 5 reels and 3 rows of symbols. Unlike many of the other Barcrest 10 line games, you can choose the number of lines. Stakes are set at 5c per line for this game, making the smallest 10 line spin 50c. You can go all the way to $500 ($50 per line) if you wish, and also use the auto-play option.
You’ll want to see the wild symbol as often as possible on the reels. Not only will this substitute for all of the regular symbols – it has the biggest single prize. If you land 5 on a win-line then you get paid 5000 coins. There is a considerable jump to the next symbol, which is the ‘Curse of Frankenstein’ logo. That one pays just 500 coins for 5, and 120 for 4. Next in the prizes list come the photos from the film. Frankenstein is worth 200 coins for 5, the doctor 150 coins and the woman (who looks like she is about to scream) 120 coins. The 3 different playing card symbols have smaller wins attached.
The only other symbol on the reels is the ‘hammer’ logo. 3 of these anywhere on the reels will trigger the free spins bonus. There is also a generous scatter prize associated with this logo. If you get 5 on the reels at once, you will win 100 times your total spin amount. 4 are worth 25x that amount and 2x comes in for just 3.
The Curse of Frankenstein Bonus Game
Just the one free spins game is available to keep players engaged in this slot. The open sequence is dramatic, with bubbling green liquid coming up to cover the reels. When this clears, you’ll get to see 10 spins at the bottom of the reels, and a place to add up your wins. The spins run quicker than regular play, and any wins are totalled as you go. There did appear to be more stacked logos during this bonus compared to regular play. It is possible to add 10 more spins each time, up to a maximum of 255 spins per game.
When you bonus is completed you will see a box showing your total win, the bubbling green liquid will return and you will find yourself back in the regular game.
The Curse of Frankenstein – Conclusion
I have mixed feelings about this game. On one hand the graphics and (in particular) the sound effects are a real step in the right direction for Barcrest slot machines. On the other hand there is not very much going on with this slot – other than a single free spins round – to keep you engaged in the action.
On the plus side, there is the potential for bigger wins – either with 5 of the wilds or via the scatters. This is a very nicely put together game, and is worth a spin if only to get into that b-movie atmosphere.
