The gaming industry actively utilizes the concept of “book” mechanics today, popularized by the Book of Ra slot machine in 2004. New products with similar technologies emerge regularly, as the “3 in 1” format (Scatter, Wild, and an expanding symbol in free spins) has gained immense popularity. Developer Betsoft didn’t stay behind, offering their own interpretation called “Book of Helios,” where the main character is an ancient sun god. The project was released in the summer of 2022 and became one of the fresh book-themed novelties.
At first glance, the gameplay here strongly resembles the classic: three book symbols trigger 10 free spins, and one of the regular symbols in the bonus round is designated as the expanding symbol. The main questions of the review: how does this slot machine variant align with old solutions, what new features did Betsoft add to the familiar mechanics, and what real returns can be obtained in the Book of Helios slot.
Plot and Visual Design
The game’s atmosphere immerses players in the mythology associated with the solar deity. The silhouette of Helios, golden rays of light, and artifact motifs emphasize the mystical spirit. The symbols feature heroes, mysterious objects, stylized letters and numbers, as well as the “book” itself — the main element responsible for several functions. Some players pay attention to the dynamic animations during the appearance of Scatters, which heightens the tension during the anticipation of free spins.
The artistic style looks colorful enough for a “book” slot machine, avoiding excessive detail overload. Background sounds and light musical inserts create an epic mood but do not distract from the gameplay itself.
Review of the Book of Helios Slot: Key Features
To better understand the “Book of Helios,” it is worth paying attention to the key parameters. Betsoft states an RTP of 95.58% for the video slot, meaning it falls slightly below the average level of 96%. The volatility is high, indicating the possibility of prolonged series without large wins, offset by rare but potentially very substantial prizes in the free spins.
With 10 fixed lines in a 5×3 layout, the classic setup familiar to genre fans. Combinations are formed from left to right in each base spin. However, when special features are activated in the bonus round, these rules change: the expanding symbol pays regardless of its position and does not require continuity.
The review of the Book of Helios slot reveals that the “book” serves as both a Scatter and a Wild. If three instances appear on the screen, a bonus of 10 free spins is triggered. The main icon can also replace any other in the base game, helping to complete winning lines. But the most interesting details lie in the additional features: in the free spins, the Wild can also expand and even have multipliers from x2 to x5.
Important Details of the Bonus Game
Classic “book” slots usually offer one “trick” in free spins: an expanding symbol randomly chosen from the paytable at the start of the bonus. In the “Book of Helios,” the studio additionally introduced its own innovation:
- Wild Expansion. If the book appears during the free spins, it can fill an entire reel.
- Wild Multipliers (x2–x5). An occasionally appearing instance not only becomes Wild but also adds a total multiplier to the win. This adds an extra “spice” to the free spins.
Statistics and Test Results
In a specific experiment conducted over 1000 spins in demo mode, 7 sets of free spins were recorded. The intervals between them varied from 50 to 350 spins, highlighting the high volatility. The largest payout encountered in the free spins reached x124 of the total bet, which, however, is far from the limit: according to Betsoft’s statement, it is possible to achieve a total of x20,168 in the bonus.
In the base session, the coefficients for linear payouts appear modest: even collecting 5 of the most valuable icons yields no more than x20. This means that without the bonus, the balance can significantly decline. There were moments when a loss of up to 350 units was recorded over 500 spins. The situation improved with a successful bonus round, and the prize distribution was interesting: sometimes free spins brought x10–x20, while in other cases, they jumped closer to x100 or higher.
The review of the Book of Helios slot concludes that the statistical figures reflect the classic “book” solution: low returns in the base game with rare saving bonuses. The theoretical RTP around 95.58% indicates a deliberately reduced chance of frequent wins. Everything depends on chance, catching Scatter books at the right time, and getting a favorable outcome in the free spins.
Review of the Book of Helios Slot (Betsoft): Pros and Cons
For clarity, it is worth evaluating the strengths and limitations of the “Book of Helios.”
Advantages:
- “Book” mechanics with pleasant additions. In addition to the expanding symbol, the Wild-Scatter in free spins has the ability to occupy an entire reel and apply a multiplier of x2–x5.
- High payout potential. The theoretical maximum of x20,168 allows for truly impressive sums if the expanding symbol and Wild multiplier align in one round.
- Small betting range. Suitable for professionals, as the minimum bet starts from 6 rubles, although some casinos may increase the lower limit.
Disadvantages:
- Low coefficients for linear icons. It is challenging to recover without the bonus; x5, x6, or x9 for a combination do not help if the Scatter does not appear for a long time.
- Reduced RTP (95.58%). Unlike some competitors offering “book” slots at 96% and above, “Book of Helios” formally gives slightly less in the long run.
- Free spins cannot be extended. The absence of a re-trigger means that 10 spins are all that can be expected in one round. This limits the potential for some “mega wins” typical of counterparts where free spins can be retriggered.
- High volatility. The balance is subject to sharp declines, and the wait for the Scatter can stretch to 200–300+ spins, frustrating many users.
Conclusion
It is worth acknowledging that the “Book of Helios” is another branch of the traditional technology, where everything revolves around rare but attractive free spins. As the review of the Book of Helios slot showed, Betsoft added the twist of an expanding Wild multiplier during the bonus spins, giving the slot machine its unique touch.
