Pipeliner Slots
Pipe down for this unique gambling game brought to your screens by Merkur Gaming. In reality, Pipeliner isn't really a slot machine at all – at least not in the traditional sense of reels which spin to reveal different symbols upon set paylines.
Instead, players are presented with a special game screen in which hexagonal positions randomly reveal pipes laid out in various directions and angles. Whenever these pipes line up to create a link from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen, players will win a small prize. However, wins can be boosted up to a maximum value of 72,000 credits with some special gems which multiply the wins up to 10x.
A different way to play
Truth be told, we can't say that we've seen too many pipe themed slot machines out there on the internet. Let's face it, greasy mechanical pipes in a dark and dingy underground setting just doesn't quite have the same appeal as epic historical adventures, mythical narratives and beautiful displays of nature. Nonetheless, Pipeliner does throw up a very unique design concept, and an impressively realised one at that.
The game screen is made up of 5 “reels”, each of which is made up from either two or three hexagonal positions which interlock to reveal a grid of 12 shapes in total. At the top of the game screen, there are six pipes feeding into the grid – three pipes are attached to the second reel while the other three pipes are attached to the fourth reel. At the bottom of the grid, there are five pipes, one connect to each of the five reels. Surrounding the grid, players are presented with an industrial scene of steam, cogs and gauges, just to give the game that extra mechanical edge.
The mechanics of the game
Unlike most video slot machines, this game doesn't involve any paylines running horizontally across the reels. Instead, whenever players press the spin button, the hexagonal positions will reveal a section of pipeline positioned at a random angle and the aim of the game is to create a line of pipes running from the top of the game screen to the bottom. In theory and practice, this game is incredibly simple to get the hang of.
Each “spin” of the game requires a wager and players can choose from the following options: 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 5.00 and 10.00. This stake will be returned in its entirety should players manage to find a connection from one of the six “start pipes” to one of the five “tail pipes”. That 1x total bet multiplier may not sound like a great deal, considering that you are going to end up placing many wagers without any financial return since not every spin will result in a successful connection. However, there are some opportunities to boost your wins with some bonus gemstone multipliers.
Find gems for bigger wins
As you will soon notice, every section of pipe has the potential to offer a random precious stone. There are yellow citrines, purple amethysts, red rubies, green emeralds and blue sapphires, each of which offer a different multiplier value that will be applied to the value of the total bet that is placed. You can see those multipliers in the table below:
There is every chance that a connected pipeline could contain two or more gemstone multipliers for even bigger wins. However, players should not that multipliers are applied to the bet value separately and then added together, rather than multiplied together. So, if you find a blue gemstone (10x) and a red gemstone (5x) on the same line with a 10 credit bet, the overall win will be 150 credits rather than 500 credits.
Players can also boost their wins by creating multiple pipelines at once. In fact, this game allows punters to add wins with multiple lines and multipliers up to a maximum jackpot value that is worth 7,200x the total stake.
Wild pipes
This slot machine is unique and interesting enough without the need for any free spins or special bonus gimmicks. Although, having said that, there is one special bonus element which will help players in their pipe-laying endeavours. This comes in the form of a wild icon, which is depicted by a male gold-seeker. This icon appears from time to time and it will act as a connection in all six directions on the hexagon. What's more, it also offers a 10x multiplier whenever it helps to complete a pipeline connection.
Get connected
Pipeliner may not have the narrative gusto and visual beauty of other video slots out there, but it certainly cannot be faulted when it comes to individuality of theme and gameplay. So, if you're looking for a gambling game that shakes up the slot machine conventions then this Merkur Gaming slot is the one for you.
