Buffalo Rising Megaways review

The basics

Software: Blueprint Gaming

Type: Video slots

Reels: 5

Paylines: 117,649

RTP: 96,5%

Bet range: 0.1 to 10.00

Bonus features: Wilds, Scatters, Multipliers, Free Spins

Volatility: High

Mobile version: Yes

Hit or miss: Hit

The OCR review

Gameplay

For those of you who have not had the chance to play a Megaways slots game yet, that payline fact above is not a typo: you really can get up to 117,649 ways to win. Megaways slots games (‘cos there are MEGA ways to win, gettit?) were developed by Big Time Gaming but have been licensed to other developers who are using the innovative tech to create their own games – and Buffalo Rising from Blueprint Gaming is one of the best on offer.

Buffalo Rising Megaways is a random reel modifier online slots game that keeps the tension and excitement ratcheted right up. With the ever-changing number of symbols per reel multiplied by 6 reels and adding in the cascading symbols function, this online slots game will keep you riveted to your screen.

The theme is American Frontier and gameplay is pretty much what you would expect from online slots games: load your online casino account, choose the game, choose your bet amount (the bet range is from 0.1 to 10.00) and hit the spin button. Or choose your limits and go with auto-spin.

Buffalo Rising Megaways offers a host of bonus features like scatters, wilds, multipliers and free spins but no bonus game and no progressive jackpot. Wins are awarded on hitting adjacent symbols from left to right

Speaking of progressives, Buffalo Rising Megaways does have two other variants in Buffalo Rising Jackpot King which features a progressive jackpot and Buffalo Rising All Action which seems to be a version that puts you straight into the bonus multiplier of the Buffalo Rising game. We are focusing on the original, and most popular, of the online slots games: Buffalo Rising.

Symbols

Fitting in with the American Frontier theme are the symbols of Buffalo Rising Megaways. You have your base symbols of 9, 10, J, Q, K, A. These are the lowest paying winning symbols.

Then you get your special symbols: an elk (moose?), a wolf, a bear and the powerful buffalo itself. Hit these combos and your winnings start to really add up, especially on the buffalo where you can get 50x your bet.

One of the more interesting features is the sunset canyon symbol which is a ‘mystery symbol’ randomly transforming into one of the other symbols.

There are also golden buffalos which are wilds and substitute for any other symbols, and pink gemstones which are scatters and unlock the bonus multipliers.

Graphics

As with all Megaways licensed games, the graphics and quality are superb. The background is quite cartoony but the symbols on the reels are so vibrant and the small animation details so good that you barely even notice the backdrop.

Sound

The main sound is a woodwind heavy instrumental that evokes both a Native American feel as well as the openness of the American prairies. It makes a change from the ‘clunk, whirr, tinny music’ that you normally hear from online slots games and really helps set the mood. Each special symbol also has a unique sound: the howling wolf, growing bear, call of the eagle, etc.

Bonuses and extras

Wilds – the golden buffalo or Buffalo Rising symbol acts as a wild and substitutes for any other symbol except for the gem scatter symbol.

Mystery symbol – the sunset canyon symbol is a mystery symbol that randomly transforms into any other symbol except for the gem scatter symbol.

Scatters – the pink gem symbol is a scatter symbol, get four or more of them and you go into the bonus multiplier game.

Free spins – this is accessed if (and it’s a big if – super rare!) you hit four pink gems and it gives you an interesting choice to play further. Rather than just giving you free spins, you get to choose your bonus multiplier and free spin volatility:

• 15 free spins with a starting multiplier of 1x
• 10 free spins with a starting multiplier of 5x
• 5 free spins with a starting multiplier of 10x
• Mystery Choice – gamble on your spins and multiplier

You can also choose to buy your way into the free spins by paying a percentage of your bet (can vary from 100x to 200x your bet)

Pros and cons

Pros

Great sound and graphics

Properly exciting gameplay

Very cool and interesting free spins mechanic

Up to 117,649 ways to win

Good mobile version available

Cons

Scatters combos to open free spins are very rare

The OCR verdict

Buffalo Rising Megaways is on the Online Casino Review list of favourite games. We highly recommend you try it out.

BUT

We are very partial to Megaways games just because they are different and very exciting. And there are better Megaways games out there (White Rabbit is our all-time favourite).

BUT

Again, Buffalo Rising Megaways is super-popular for a reason and the game really does pull you in with its immersive graphics, fun sound and superb gameplay.

Go give it a spin!