The Thunderstruck Stormchaser is a popular online casino slot developed by Microgaming, one of the leading gaming software providers. Released in 2019, this game is an exciting sequel to the original Thunderstruck II, which has been a fan favorite for years. The new version builds upon the success of its predecessor while introducing innovative features and thrilling gameplay.
Theme and Design
The Thunderstruck Stormchaser is set against the backdrop of Norse mythology, drawing inspiration from the legendary god Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. As players embark on their journey, they are transported to a mystical realm filled with ancient artifacts, Thunderstruck Stormchaser slot majestic mountains, and powerful storms. The game’s design perfectly captures the essence of Nordic folklore, immersing players in an immersive experience.
The reels are set against a striking blue sky, complete with fluffy white clouds, which add to the atmospheric ambiance. As players spin the reels, they will notice that the graphics are vibrant and richly detailed, showcasing intricate animations that complement the game’s overall theme. The soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring pulsating rhythms and haunting melodies that amplify the excitement of each spin.
Symbols
The Thunderstruck Stormchaser features a diverse range of symbols, including classic slot icons like low-value numbers (10 to Ace) and high-value royal court cards. These symbols are represented in their traditional form but with an added twist – they have been infused with Nordic-inspired designs that perfectly blend with the game’s theme.
The game also boasts four unique wild symbols:
- Wild symbol: This is a generic wild icon that can substitute for any other regular symbol to create winning combinations.
- Storm Chaser 3-of-a-kind Bonus (Wild): When three or more of these wilds appear on adjacent reels, players trigger the Stormchaser feature.
- Golden Hammer Wild:
- Can only appear during the Free Spins round
- Has a high payout potential
- Thor’s Helmet:
- Serves as both a Scatter and a 2x multiplier
Payouts
The Thunderstruck Stormchaser has an impressive maximum jackpot of £200,000 (or equivalent local currency) when all five reels are filled with Wild symbols or combinations that include the Golden Hammer Wild. To give you an idea of what to expect from this slot machine in terms of payouts:
- The minimum payout is 1.00x bet
- High-paying combinations offer up to 10,000 times your initial stake (in a case where Thor’s Helmet appears on all five reels)
- Low-value symbols reward players with modest but steady returns between 2-4 times their wager
Wilds
The Golden Hammer Wild is the most coveted of this game’s wild symbols. As mentioned earlier, it only becomes visible during the Free Spins round and offers higher payouts than its regular counterparts.
Other key aspects to note about Wild symbols:
- They can replace any other symbol on a winning line
- Can create new combinations when they appear adjacent to Scatters
- Payouts for 3 or more Golden Hammer Wilds are especially substantial
Scatters
Thor’s Helmet serves as the game’s Scatter icon. This unique feature works similarly to regular Scatters:
- Landing three Thor’s Helmets anywhere on the reels triggers a minimum of 10 Free Spins.
- The number of spins awarded will be indicated at the top-right corner of your screen, above any displayed total spin count.
Bonus Features
Two bonus features are introduced in this slot machine:
- Storm Chaser Feature :
- A unique respin mechanic allows players to win additional free spins
- Wild symbols remain sticky during each Storm Chaser feature
The player’s main goal is always the same – to accumulate enough winnings by landing combinations of matching icons. However, specific strategies may need consideration based on available game variations or house edge factors.
Free Spins
During the Free Spins round, players can collect two main types of free spins:
- Initial Set of 10-15 : Awarded at the beginning
- These provide a base for further wins using Wilds (mainly Golden Hammer)
- Players get one chance to initiate a Storm Chaser feature with this initial set
Free Spins do not have a personal win cap and award players up to 20 rounds. With each retrigger, winnings accumulate based on previous session totals until either the free spin round ends or there are no more spins available.
RTP (Return-to-Player)
Microgaming has released limited information about this game’s RTP rate as of yet; however we can safely conclude that all their games follow an average payout percentage between 95% to 97%, though exceptions may vary depending on jurisdictions served and applicable jurisdictional tax rates.
The maximum betting range is quite competitive at £1.00 to £5,000. As always, this will influence player potential payouts.
Volatility
Thunderstruck Stormchaser displays moderate volatility in gameplay – not the most aggressive but certainly sufficient for those wanting action-packed sessions without risking over-spending.
In conclusion to the betting section, note that you may need additional cash reserves if aiming to place larger wagers during your gaming time.