Cleopatra Gold: Additional Reel Sets Come Into Play

Cleopatra has been a workhorse of a theme for IGT, so it makes sense that the sequels have continued apace. One that’s gone in a different direction than some of the others is Cleopatra Gold, which pushes the game into interesting new directions.

The game maintains a 20-line format, but the bet increments have been increased to 60 credit increments. This no doubt is because of a number of additions. But the core elements of Cleo remain the same, such as pays being doubled when one or more wilds are present. Two bonus symbols pay scatter, like Cleo the original (and not the second), a nice touch.

The key addition is a second wild symbol, which is stacked on the reels and is used in part to manage the key new feature. Those wilds can nudge to fill the reel when they appear; when they do and turn gold, or a full reel of wilds naturally lands, another reel set then appears on top of the original.

Should they appear and nudge again, or a full reel of wilds naturally lands, a third reel set appears on top and produces yet another spin. If a full reel of wilds appears here, you keep the third reel set and spin again.

Whenever a spin occurs where those wilds do not appear and nudge, or a full reel of wilds doesn’t naturally land, a reel set is taken away; when it fails to happen on the original reel set, the spin is officially over.

However, get three or more bonus symbols not just on the base game spin, but at any time during these series of spins, and you’ll get free games; more symbols will deliver more free games, two for each extra collected.

The free games have the ability to retrigger, as well as do the extra reel set scenario in the bonus. One or more wilds triples pays in the free spins, vs. doubles, opening the door for more potential of line hits.

Whether in the base game or the free spins, on any given spin if sand blows by, it is a tell, usually for a good hit coming along.

This game can get interesting when those extra spins are happening from the wilds, and yield some pretty good pays. It’s still a game with some difficulty to it, but the extra betting for the 20 lines seems to open it up somewhat.