Sky Rider: Golden Amulet Slots
Sky Rider: Golden Amulet is a 5-reel, 50-payline slot machine that was released in the form of a dual title with Silver Treasures. They were the first titles to be released by Aristocrat as part of the 'Max Stacks' series so were a pioneering effort from the Australian-based developer.
Both of these slots were launched under the E*Series of games which has also seen titles such as Diamond Dynasty, Moon Maidens, and Mythos hit the market. They are a step up from the C*Series and J*Series slot machines from the Aussie fave. If you are used to those earlier models these titles will blow your mind.
Aristocrat slot machines are generally deemed to be ones for the purists out there. They do not allow big wins frequently but when they do they are certainly worth playing. They divide opinion, with some players loving their style of game play while others do not have the patience to stick them out.
Theme
Mythical-themed slots have delivered some of the best gaming experiences on slot machines for players. IGT's series of Dungeons and Dragons slot machines opened up the slots world to a whole generation of fantasy role-playing gamers.
The symbols on the reels will stir the emotions of fantasy fans everywhere with Golden Amulet boasting a gold and green dragon and a fiery-haired buxom beauty providing the title imagery. All sorts of magical icons appear on the reels in both versions such as a magical compass, magic book, and different coloured dragons.
Wild symbols appear in the shape of the Sky Rider icon. These have the power to substitute for all other symbols to help create potential winning combinations. The Max Stacks element means that these symbols appearing on the reels can deliver some big pay outs. Unfortunately, that does not happen as much as you would like.
The bonus features on this game are also triggered by the dragon medallion Scatters. Hit three Max Stacks of those symbols and you will trigger the free games bonus which can provide you with the real big wins.
Features
As the first slot machines released under the Max Stacks category, Sky Rider – Golden Amulet and Sky Rider – Silver Treasures deliver the same Max Stacks experience but offer two slightly different free spin bonus features. Unfortunately, this is where Golden Amulet loses pace with its sibling slot machine.
Max Stacks – if you have played Temple of the Tiger then you will understand what these are about. They work in the same way as Konami Gaming's Action Stacked Symbols where all symbols can appear as Stacked during regular game play as well as during the free spins. This can lead to some enhanced pay outs which will please most slots fans.
Free Games Feature – in both versions of the game, if you hit three or more dragon medallion symbols across the reels then you will trigger the free games feature. However, in Golden Amulet the free games feature is fixed. There is no mystery spins option and you cannot pick your Max Stacks symbols and number spins. This makes it feel a lot more restrictive than Silver Treasures.
Summary
Sky Rider: Golden Amulet, along with Silver Treasures, set the bar for future titles that were released as Max Stacks games.
The free games feature is one of the best in the Aristocrat locker and anybody that plays this will either love it or hate it. It is one of those. Personally, I found it very compelling but a bit claustrophobic. The lack of choice of options for the free games made it feel like Silver Treasures with stabilizers on.
The Max Stacks play in the base game kept me glued to the reels and when the bonus feature hit the excitement levels went sky high. Aristocrat are the Marmite of the casino floor but I am a fan and this is one that Aristocrat fan boys and girls will love.
