The OCR review

Gameplay

Pirate online slots are as abundant as the legends of buried treasure that accompanied these scoundrels across the oceans, but quality, entertaining ones are as rare as people actually unearthing one of these buried piles of plunder.

Thankfully, Caleta have done an admirable job of combining a great theme with fun and funny elements, smooth gameplay, and awesome graphics. And, to add some yo to the hoho, a few great features as well.

Creating an engaging pirate-themed slot can either go the way of swashbuckling mayhem or fun and cute, and Caleta have opted for the less blood- and smoke-filled savagery on the high seas and gone with a more cartoonish and lighter-toned online and mobile slot that is rather engaging and playful. There are ample nods to the tales of the terrors of the open ocean, fantastic and colourful graphics, and endearing characters (in a sort of toothless and drooling sense – these are not the pinnacle of piratical pioneers – more the dregs that fill the bilges) and it creates an amusing game with plenty of reasons to hit that spin button.

Treasure chests, cutlasses, and cannon abound, and the cast of scurvy characters are beautifully drawn and bring the theme to life. These are more Captain Pugwash than Captain Blackbeard and immensely engaging while you play – with their little laughs and cackles and “Arrr’s” adding to the cartoon nature of the game.

Players can set their coin values and also set the speed that the reels spin if they want something a little faster. Max bet is 180 and max win is 500x the stake.

It’s a great game, fun and engaging, and a credit to how Caleta offer small but unique tweaks to classic themes and games to make their offering their own.

Symbols

Plenty of pirate goodies await as you take to the Seven Seas with Caves & Treasures. The low value symbols are all the usual royals with the high value symbols being of a distinct piratical nature.

Symbols from lowest paying to highest: 10; J; Q; K; A; Pirate Ship on Wheels; Pirate Crewwoman; Pirate Crewman; Pirate Captain; Wild Skull & Pistols.

The Wild substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus, Scatter, and Free Spins  symbols.

Treasure Chest is the Bonus symbol.

Cannon is the Scatter.

Crossed Cutlasses are the Free Spins.

Graphics

Caleta have gone with a cartoon style, rather than a hyper realistic rendering, that adds to the fun nature of Caves & Treasure. It makes what could be a bloodthirsty game a far more light-hearted and quirky experience. The stunning background of the sunlit and sandy beach of a hidden cove, and the cloud-dotted azure blue sky, all bring those tales of ships sailing through the Caribbean and burying their stolen treasure on deserted tropical islands to life.

The wood frame on the reels and the well-drawn characters and pirate items all create a great sense of a pirate theme and the attention to detail means players are always part of the pirate action.

Sound

There’s a jaunty sea shanty that plays while the reels spin and the characters each have a unique sound when you line them up for wins. The crewman has a very creepy laugh, the crewwoman has an odd sigh, and the Captain comes to the pirate party with his Arrs. But even while the reels are at rest, Caleta have brought in some awesome background sounds like the gulls crying and the waves breaking on the beach. It all adds a brilliant sense of atmosphere to the game.