Skeleton Key Jackpot Analysis

Skeleton Key is a brand new IGT video slot which uses the MultiWay Xtra game engine. The 5-reel video slot offers 243 ways to win. However, it has also got some special bonus features which offers even more ways to win in the slot. Within this Skeleton Key jackpot analysis, we take a look at just what this slot is all about. Let’s get into it.

Skeleton Key Jackpot Analysis: An Introduction

IGT’s brand new Skeleton Key is a 5 reels slot machine which has got 243 ways to win. However, the video slot can even offer up to 7,776 ways to win as some hidden positions on the reels open up. You start off with a 5×3 grid but when every position is revealed, you can get up to 5×6 positions on the layout.

In order to create a win, you’ll need to land 3 or more of the same symbols on adjoining reels, starting from the most left one. That means that they can sit next to each other or even on top of each other, so long as there’s some sort of connection.

Slot details

Skeleton Key allows players to place wagers ranging from €/£0.10 to a whopping €/£300 per spin. That makes this title ideal for low rollers and also super high rollers too. However, to make matters easier, there is also an autoplay function. This allows you to watch as Skeleton Key will spin between 10 to 50 autospins without manually needing to click anything. You can also set win and loss limits so that your device knows when to stop spinning depending on on how much is in your account.

Skeleton Key has got an RTP of 96% which is just about above average in terms of how rewarding it is. The volatility is medium to high meaning that wins don’t come all that often. However, when they do land, they’ll be more than worth the wait.

The top paying symbol is worth 10x your stake, thus, you can claim 2,430x your stake in the base game. Additionally, thanks to the use of the Reel Expansion bonus feature, that amount can also grow. During the bonus mode, you’ve got 7,776 ways to win which could see you claim 77,760x your stake. And, when you add in the multipliers from free spins, that could even grow to the maximum win amount which is worth 83,333x your stake per free spin. Hence, you can see that Skeleton Key by IGT is truly a rewarding slot, if played well.

Design and Theme

After the main screen launches, the first thing you’ll notice is that Skeleton Key is played on a spooky set of reels with a cave full of gold and jewels in the background. The setting is quite cartoonish and may even have a few resemblances to the classic Scooby Doo TV shows. There is an element of mist in the air completing the vibe with a sense of mystery.

Skeleton Key has got an orchestral soundtrack in the background, completing the IGT slot to be as spooky and adventurous as the online software supplier group intended it to be. If you want to try out a game which is unique compared with many other slots online, Skeleton Key may be the ideal choice for you.

Symbols

Next up, we take a look at the symbols which you’re likely to come across in this IGT slot. Skeleton Key has got a grid with reels appearing on a dark navy-blue background. The hidden positions on the reels are covered by a green mist and only become playable when the mist clears away from them.

The lowest tier is the Ace to Jack royals, followed by 3 different Gemstones, a Book of Spells and a Chalice. You’re going to want to be on the lookout for the Treasure Chest as it is the most rewarding symbol of them all. If you land 2, 3, 4 or 5 in a combination, you’ll be up for a 0.2, 0.4, 10 or 50x your stake payout. There is also a wild which substitutes all regular symbols on the reels.

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Where to play?

In order to play Skeleton Key, you’ll need to possess either a desktop, smartphone or tablet. The game runs smoothly on iOS devices, Androids, Mac, PC or any Tablets. When selecting the layout, always opt for the Portrait mode. This is the best option as it allows the reels to expand and can be easier on the eye. Skeleton Key is unique and can be played on even the smallest of devices without any problems.

Bonus Features

Now then, onto the bonus features themselves. Skeleton Key has got three main features. Namely, those are the Reel Expansion, Mystery Symbol and Free Spins round. Next up, we take a look at those bonus rounds individually and what you stand to make.

Reel Expansion

The first bonus feature of Skeleton Key is the Reel Expansion. This is triggered during the beginning of the base game where you’ve only got the default 5 reels and 3 rows with 243 ways to win. If you manage to land a Key symbol, the covered positions on top of the reel are fully opening, giving you 3 more symbols and spaces to play with. The Key symbol then disappears and makes way for the icons above it to drop down into their respective positions so that there are no vacated positions on the grid.

With more Keys, you will unlock more positions and spaces to play with. That leads to more symbols and more ways to win. If you manage to free up all the mist from the 5 reels, you will end up with a 5-reel, 6 row layout and a staggering 7,776 ways to win.

However, there is also a twist to this. Unfortunately, IGT didn’t make Skeleton Key a walk in the park. For every spin which a Key doesn’t land, a position is covered again by the green mist reducing the amount of ways to win you have. The good news is that there is a meter to the left of the reels which keeps track of your progress regarding Keys and mist.

Mystery Symbol

Skeleton Key wouldn’t be complete without the mystery symbol. This is represented by a “?” icon. Whenever you land the mystery symbol on the reels, you will see all of the “?” symbols transform into the same matching symbol. This leads to a better chance of winning, particularly if they’re sitting adjacent to each other. A new payout is made afterwards.

Free Spins

Last but not least, the Free Spins round is what Skeleton Key is all about. To trigger this bonus feature, you’re going to want to land on at least three Bonus Scatter symbols. These are represented by a Turquoise Padlock symbol. Here’s how the Free Spins round can go for you.

If you land three scatters, you will receive 10 free spins. Likewise, landing 4 scatters on the reels will result in 20 free spins with 5 scatters giving you a whopping 30 free spins.

When the free spins round begins, you will start off with a 1x multiplier. However, whenever you land a Skeleton Key symbol, your multiplier will increase by 1. Naturally, if you land two Skeleton Key symbols on a single spin, the multiplier will increase by 2 immediately. To make matters even more interesting, the “?” Mystery Symbol can also transform into a Skeleton Key. Thus, you can claim many more multiplier boosters if fortune favors you.

It is possible to retrigger free spins in the bonus round. However, you will need to have Lady Luck on your side. With as little as 2 bonus scatters on a single spin, you can receive an additional 2 free spins within the free spins round. Moreover, landing 3, 4 or 5 scatters on a spin will warrant you with a full retrigger, taking you to 10, 20 or 30 more free spins.

Skeleton Key Jackpot Analysis

Despite having some of the most creative and excellent bonus features we’ve had the privilege of reviewing; Skeleton Key does lack a jackpot prize. Although there is still a massive load of cash to be won, the lack of a jackpot does end up being a small criticism of the slot. However, you can always check out other jackpot games for alternatives.

Skeleton Key does have a massive maximum win amount though. The 83,333x your stake is certainly mouth-watering for some, particularly high rollers. If you place a maximum bet of €/£300, you could be on the rewarding end of a €/£24,999,900 cash prize! And all that from a single spin! Mind you, the reels will have to be fully uncovered and you’ll need all the multipliers to be working in your favor on a free spin.

The Bottom Line

Thus, to conclude this Skeleton Key jackpot analysis, we’ve got to give it up for IGT and their MultiWay Xtra gameplay. The video slot is completely the full package. With many bonus features, multipliers, a unique gameplay accompanied by excellent visuals and a smooth ambience, Skeleton Key may just well be the best video slot in January 2021.

The only real concern is the lack of a jackpot prize. Although, with the betting stakes set up to such a high amount per spin, that may be brushed aside by many keen players. The maximum win amount on a maximum bet falls just short of €25 million. Let us tell you now, that’s a whole lot more than many of the most rewarding jackpot slots on the net. You can read up more about them and their respective prizes in our latest jackpot ratings online.