Pilgrim of Dead leads a solitary traveller into an Egyptian tomb in search of the Book of Life. Released on 19 January 2023, this slot by Play’n GO uses the iconic format of the Dead series while giving the special symbol a sticky property during the free spins.

The game uses a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed lines, a theoretical RTP of up to 96.20% and high volatility. Its bet typically ranges from £0.10 to £100 per spin depending on the version offered, while the announced maximum win reaches 10,000× the bet.

A 5×3 grid and ten paylines

Regular wins are formed from left to right, starting from the first reel, across ten fixed paths. The card symbols 10, J, Q, K and A occupy the bottom of the scale, ahead of the scarab, the scales, the statue of Anubis and the pilgrim. This structure makes each result immediate to read: there are no cascades, no expanding grid, and no variable number of ways to win.

The golden tomb concentrates two roles. It replaces regular symbols like a Wild, but not the special symbol chosen for the bonus. It also acts as a Scatter: three or more tombs visible anywhere open the free spins. This dual use gives the same symbol practical value in the base game and a clearly identifiable triggering function.

The Tomb Wild Scatter at the heart of the game

On a line, the Tomb Wild completes combinations by substituting for other icons. Two tombs can already produce their own payout, then three or more trigger the bonus. The scatters do not need to be adjacent or aligned: their number across the entire grid is sufficient. Line wins and those linked to the tombs are added together at the end of the spin.

This mechanic remains intentionally simple in the base game. The most distinctive potential is reserved for the free spins, when a regular symbol receives the power to expand. The cap of 10,000× applies to the whole game; it describes a mathematical limit, not an expected outcome during any given session.

The maximum RTP of 96.20% coexists with profiles of 94.20%, 91.20%, 87.20% and 84.20%. The configuration depends on the operator; the game's information screen indicates the one that actually applies. The high volatility, rated 8/10, mainly means that the frequency and size of payouts can vary greatly from one sequence to another.

Five free spins, with retriggers up to thirty

Three or more Tombs initially award 5 free spins. The initial allocation is shorter than in several games of the same family, but the bonus can be triggered again. Three or more Tombs during the sequence add five additional spins, up to a maximum of 30 free spins in total.

Before the first free spin, a regular symbol is chosen at random to become the special symbol. The Scatter cannot be selected. If the first result does not seem interesting, a single respin is available; the second symbol must then be kept. This choice does not alter either the number of spins or the bet of the triggering spin.

A special symbol that is both sticky and expanding

During the bonus, the first appearance of the chosen symbol on each of the five reels turns golden and remains stuck to its position until the end of the sequence. When a sufficient number of these symbols is present, they expand to cover the relevant reels. The expanded symbols can pay from left to right even with gaps, as long as a valid combination is possible.

The progression is therefore visible: each reel on which the symbol has already been locked can contribute to subsequent spins. The mechanism becomes more interesting when several reels are occupied early, but five initial spins leave little time to build this configuration without a retrigger. The tension of the bonus comes precisely from this contrast between the permanence of the symbols and the limited duration.

Pilgrim of Dead compared to other games in the series

The visual landmarks and the expanding symbol immediately recall Book of Dead. Legacy of Dead also develops the Egyptian formula with several possible special symbols. In contrast, Pilgrim of Dead keeps a single symbol per bonus, but adds a sticky presence specific to each reel.

This difference changes how the bonus is read. In a classic model, the symbol reveals itself mainly when it appears in quantity on the same spin. Here, each first appearance also creates a foothold for the remaining spins. The game remains familiar through its grid, its ten lines and its Tomb Scatter, while offering a more tangible progression to follow on the reels.

Our take on Pilgrim of Dead

Pilgrim of Dead is aimed primarily at fans of fixed lines, ancient Egypt and expanding symbol bonuses. Its main asset is straightforward to read: the special symbols already obtained stay in place and can set up subsequent payouts. On the other hand, the high volatility and short initial allocation impose an irregular rhythm, better suited to measured bets than to searching for a quick win.

With its Tomb Wild Scatter, its single respin before the bonus and its golden symbols that stay on the reels, the game brings a clear variation to a known formula. The essential rules consist of a few steps: gather three Tombs, accept or respin the chosen symbol, and then try to lock it onto several reels before the end of the free spins.

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