Play Queen Cleopatra for Free

Video slots that combine ancient history with the ultra-modernity of a reel-based game run the risk of jarring in their juxtaposition of the old and the new. Put simply, it’s hard to seamlessly blend the subtle nuances of ancient Egypt with the flashing lights and chirpy music of a modern video slot.

In that respect, Queen Cleopatra straddles that multi-millennial divide uneasily, but let’s be frank: we’re not playing this game to learn more about Alexandria and life in 69 BC; we’re doing so in the hope of scooping the jackpot and moving on to our next target.

To aid you in that regard, here’s what you need to know: the game combines traditional playing card-based symbols with proprietary Egyptian symbols that add a little exoticism into the mix.

There’s something about ancient Egypt that’s incredibly alluring, and it’s a vibe that permeates this game thanks to the beautifully rendered graphics. Precious jewels glint, talismans shimmer and Queen Cleopatra herself smiles serenely while looking divine. Word on the street – or rather the history books – is the Queen of Kings was quite a stunner, and she certainly looks resplendent here in her ornate gilded crown and flawless makeup.

The Queen herself is unsurprisingly the game’s most valuable symbol, but she’s not the only beauty to look out for as you watch the reels skid to a stop.

The playing card symbols in use in the game comprise 10, J, Q, K and A. This means Queen Cleopatra might just be the only video slot to have two competing queen symbols: the Q and the Egyptian Queen herself. Confusing? Not really. Mildly interesting? Absolutely.

The line wins in the game work out as follows: 10, J and Q pay 10, 50 and 200 for 3, 4 and 5 in a row. The jewelled snake ring ups the ante, paying out 40, 200 and 1,000. For the winged cat (or is it a lion?), you can secure a win of 10 for landing just two symbols in a row. For 3, 4 and 5 the payout is 80, 800 and 4,000. K and A pay 20, 100 and 400 for 3, 4 and 5, while Cleopatra’s coruscating shoulder piece will remunerate you to the tune of 40, 200 and 1,000.

That just leaves Queen Cleopatra herself. Like the winged beast, this symbol will payout with just two in a row. Secure 2, 3, 4 or 5 to win 20, 200, 2,000 and a whopping 10,000 for the big one. The other symbol to look for in play is the golden book, which serves as wild. It can substitute for any of the other gaming symbols, with 3, 4 or 5 in a line paying all the fours: 40, 400 or 4,000 respectively.

Novomatic deserve credit for the effort they’ve put into designing this slot. Sure, pretty pictures alone aren’t gonna grant you the satisfaction that comes with notching a jackpot, but they certainly help to set the scene and provide something to look at while you wait for the reels to fall into line.

The background for the game depicts the interior of a tomb, lit by flickering torches. Hieroglyphics adorn the walls and gold and jewels are strewn as far as the eye can see. The Egyptians weren’t all about death and treasure, it should be noted, but if you’re gonna model a video slot on this era it makes sense to focus on the ancient civilisation’s penchant for riches and excess.

In action, the game conforms to the usual format that you’d expect of a modern video slot. The five reels provide 10 paylines, with the bet ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 Every time a winning combo drops into view, you’ll be given the option to gamble or take the win. Select the former and you’ll be taken through to Queen Cleopatra’s feature: a pinball table that will load a ball and knock it off a series of buffers which have multipliers assigned.

If your luck’s in, your initial win will be multiplied exponentially; if your luck has left the building, the ball will drop between the flippers and you’ll lose everything.

Queen Cleopatra is a highly playable game that offers ample opportunities to activate the feature. It’s pretty, it’s smooth and it’s a fun way to while away the hours in your quest to top up your bank balance.