Play Robin Hood for Free

The action unfolds in the medieval hood that is Sherwood Forest. Spin the reels and watch as a bunch of ye olde time symbols drop into view. These include a target, the sort used for archery practice and the awarding of free spins, and a rather fetching looking maiden who is presumably Marion, Robin Hood’s bae.

Other notable symbols include a sack full of gold, a scroll and a formidable siege instrument, presumably used for forcibly entering Nottingham Castle to rescue the maiden and relieve the Sheriff of his worldly goods. The wild symbol comes in the form of a knight in full armour, and he looks like one tough cookie.

Five reels and 25 betting lines provide plenty of action, and ensure there’s always something alluring poised to drop into view at any given moment. This is a WorldMatch slot, which means the graphics and sound are top-notch.

The slots are framed within an oak-leafed border which naturally represents Sherwood Forest. Inside this hardwood and rope-fringed frame, there are untold riches to be won and lost. An autoplay button allows you to sit back and let the slot gods dictate your fate, with up to 1,000 autoplay spins permissible.

If reckless is your middle name (and if you’re playing video slots, it’s safe to assume you’re not averse to taking the occasional risk), select Bet Max and get started. For those intent on going for broke, this option will relieve you of 25 coins for every spin whilst maximising your prospects of scoring a big win. The number of lines and the stake can be adjusted of course, with anywhere from 1 to 25 betting lines and a value of 0.01 to 1 coins permissible. The ordinary symbols to watch out for include a crown, a clock, a praying woman and a Robin Hood ‘Wanted’ poster. Score three, four or five on an active line to secure a win of anywhere from 10 coins all the way up to a cool 2,500.

The bonus symbol depicts the main man himself, Robin Hood, with his bow and arrow poised ready to shoot. Score the Robin Hood symbol in view three or more times and you’re through to the bonus feature, where the fun can begin in earnest. This feature calls for – what else? – shooting at a target. Your accuracy here will determine the multiplier you’re awarded. Shoot the sack and your prize will be revealed. The wild, the aforementioned knight in armour, will serve as a substitute for any of the other symbols aside from the bonus and free spins. Activate the free spins feature to unlock up to 10 spins and a multiplier of two that will nicely double up your earnings.

The verdict’s in on Robin Hood and it’s a bull’s-eye success. While the game conforms to all the usual strictures that apply to video slots, there’s something undeniably moreish about this 5-reel offering.

The graphics are terrific and the sound effects endearing, but the same could be said of most WorldMatch slots. What makes Robin Hood so much fun to play is the theme itself. Sure, as pseudo-realistic simulations of a 15th-century outlaw’s escapades go, this bears little resemblance to the real thing. As a cheeky interpretation of the mythical English rogue, however, Robin Hood ticks all the right boxes, including the ones marked “Enjoyable” and “Highly entertaining”.

It’s debatable whether the original prince of thieves ever existed, but were he alive today to witness his legacy reborn in the form of an online slot, it’s fair to say Robin Hood would let out a wry smile. He stole from the rich to give to the poor. Now it’s your turn.