Play Rise of Maya by NetEnt for Free

The Rise of Maya slot game has an appealing appearance, with bright and rich symbols filling the screen and plenty of color. The game has a South American feel due to the frequent use of snakes, which the Mayans believed were vehicles for traveling through the cosmos. The symbols are arranged in 3 rows on 5 reels in a dark, smoky temple decorated with burning fireplaces and large tooth carvings. While some elements of the game are simple, such as the 10 fixed paylines, there are many features that add extra layers of sophistication.

• Game Information
• Theme and Symbols
• Return to Player, Volatility, and Bets
• Special Features
• Strategy Tips
• Our Verdict
• FAQ

Theme and Symbols

The Rise of Maya slot is set in an ancient Mayan temple and has a gritty graphic design. The symbols include Mayan letters A, K, Q, J, and 10, as well as 5 different Mayan masks. The most valuable Mayan mask pays out 0.5, 5, 50, or 250 times your bet for 2, 3, 4, or 5 in combination. To get wins, you need to get matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, starting with reel 1.

The Rise of Maya slot game has 4 types of wild symbols: the single snake wild, 2 expanding snake wilds, and snake stacks. The expanding snake wild symbols not only substitute for other symbols, but also expand up or down to take up an entire reel. The snake stack symbol only appears in the free spins feature (on hot reels) and covers the entire reel. There is also a scatter symbol.

Return to Player, Volatility, and Bets

The Rise of Maya slot game is available on all devices and allows you to set stakes from 0.10 to a maximum of €150 per spin. The volatility is in the medium to high range, and the RTP (return to player) can be increased from 96.12% at the base level to 96.42% when the Bonus Bet: Second Chance Scatter feature is activated.

Special Features

Free Spins

The game has a free spins feature that is activated when 3 or more wild and scatter symbols appear anywhere on the reels. You will start with 15 free spins, and the reels where the wild symbols land become hot reels for the duration of the free spin. Snake stacks that land on hot reels will expand to cover an entire reel as wild symbols. You can also win additional free spins, allowing you to play up to 24 free spins in total.

Scatter Nudge

The Rise of Maya slot game also has a Scatter Nudge feature that is triggered randomly if you do not get a winning combination in the base game or free spins. When activated, wild or scatter symbols are pushed onto the reels to trigger the free spins feature or win additional free spins.

Bonus Bet: Second Chance Scatter

There is a Bonus Bet: Second Chance Scatter feature that you can choose to activate or deactivate in the base game. If you activate it, you will double your bet, but it will also increase your chances of getting additional wild or scatter symbols that can trigger the hot reel free spins feature. If you get 2 wild or scatter symbols on the reels, the reels will spin again without wild or scatter symbols, giving you a second chance to trigger the feature.

Strategy Tips

It's important to note that there is no guaranteed winning strategy for slot games, as they are based on chance and the outcome of each spin is determined randomly. However, there are a few things you can consider when playing the Rise of Maya slot game that may increase your chances of winning:

1. Manage your bankroll: Set a budget for your gameplay and stick to it. Make sure to choose stakes that are appropriate for your bankroll and avoid chasing losses by betting more than you can afford to lose.
2. Activate the Bonus Bet: Second Chance Scatter feature: This feature can increase your chances of triggering the free spins feature and winning additional free spins. However, keep in mind that it also doubles your bet, so make sure to consider your bankroll before activating it.
3. Keep an eye out for hot reels: In the free spins feature, hot reels can land and give you wild reels, increasing your chances of winning.
4. Take advantage of the Scatter Nudge feature: This feature can be triggered randomly if you don't get a winning combination, and it can push wild or scatter symbols onto the reels to trigger the free spins feature or win additional free spins.

Again, it's important to remember that there is no guaranteed way to win at slot games, and you should always gamble responsibly.

Our Verdict

We've had the chance to try out the Rise of Maya slot game and we were impressed by what NetEnt has to offer. While it may not be their best work or best-looking game, it is still above average compared to other slot games on the market. The theme is well-handled and integrated with a variety of features, without feeling over-the-top.

The free spins feature is the highlight of the game and offers the most excitement and potential for big payouts. However, the main game also offers some generous wins, particularly due to the scatter nudge feature that can randomly trigger and provide thrilling moments. Even though it can be rare to hit the highest winning symbols, they can still lead to substantial wins. In terms of entertainment and potential, Rise of Maya stands out among other South American, Moorish, and Aztec-themed slots. If you can get the gods on your side, you have the potential to win more than 6,000 times your bet - a decent payout. Overall, while it may not be groundbreaking, Rise of Maya is a simple and attractive game with solid gameplay that should keep most NetEnt fans entertained for a while.