Slot players are invited to feel the heat in the Area Link Phoenix slot game from Games Global partner studio Area Vegas. The slot utilizes the company’s popular Area Link bonus, offering players a respin round with three bonus mechanics. Is there more to the game than just this feature, though? In this Area Link Phoenix slot review, I take the game for a spin and see what it has to offer.

Area Vegas appears to follow a pretty consistent approach with its Area Link titles. It chooses a theme, finds a way to make three multi-colored icons out of that theme, and presents them above the reels. 

This is precisely what you get with Area Link Phoenix, which drops its reel set in front of some fiery gates, positions the titular Phoenix to the left of the game grid, and has three multi-colored Phoenix eggs above the reels. From a visual perspective, the graphics and design are solid enough, but there is little here that I have not seen before. 

A reasonably intense soundtrack plays, and a few animations occur as you spin the reels and collect orbs that land on them. The Phoenix is also kept active throughout the game, occasionally flapping its wings to add excitement.

Area Vegas has kept the action simple with the Area Link Phoenix slot. The game has a conventional 5x3 set-up, with 20 paylines positioned left-to-right across the reels on every spin. You will be rewarded with a payout when you land a combination of three matching symbols. You can check the value of the game’s symbols and find more information about the game by checking the paytable or clicking the ‘Help’ button at any time during play. 

Before you hit the spin button, you will want to ensure the stake is correct. This is done by clicking the stake button in the bottom corner. I recommend checking out the Area Link Phoenix demo we have provided in this review. If you decide to play for real money, you can find the best online casino to do so by checking out our recommended operators.

Like all Area Link titles, the bonuses here are centered around the titular Area Link bonus symbols. The three Fireball symbols, Orange, Magenta, and Red, can land on the reels on any spin. Every time one lands, it is collected by its corresponding egg above the reels, increasing its chances of triggering the Area Link bonus.

The bonus is played on a different game grid, with only Fireball symbols with multipliers and blank symbols landing. One of three mechanics will be in play, depending on which bonus symbols triggered the round. The round works like other respin-style bonuses, with new symbols resetting the spin count to three.

The Orange Phoenix Upgrade will add a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, and 5x to the reels on each spin. This will then be applied to all prizes on the grid.  The Magenta Phoenix Upgrade will see two grids run simultaneously, with the game ending when you run out of spins or win the Grand Jackpot. The Red Phoenix Upgrade will see a Collect symbol added to the grid to instantly collect and pay out prizes and/or jackpots.

There is also the possibility of triggering a combination of the different bonus mechanics at the same time. 

The game has four jackpots, which can be won during the Area Link bonus. The Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand Jackpots are worth 10x, 20x, 500x, and 5,000x your stake, respectively. The Mini, Minor, and Major can be won by landing their respective symbols, while the Grand is only won if you fill the game grid with symbols. In the Magenta round, winning the Grand Jackpot on either reel set is possible. Winning the Grand Jackpot will automatically end the round. 

Unfortunately, no Buy Bonus option is available in the Area Link Phoenix online slot game.

Despite having played several of the Area Link titles in the past, I still took Area Link Phoenix for a little test in demo mode to check out the features and get a feel for the game’s volatility.

After this, I played the game at $0.40 a spin. I found the slot to be very volatile, with some long patches between wins. However, when I triggered the Area Link round, the game did deliver some decent wins. I launched it with the Magenta bonus, with the two sets of reels keeping the bonus exciting. I ended up with around eight spins but did manage to hit the Mini Jackpot on one of them.

I played around 60-70 spins of the game and ended up slightly down. The game remained engaging for a while, thanks to the possibility of the Area Link bonus triggering. However, the long spells between bonuses and the lack of other bonus features made it a little repetitive.

The most you can win in the Area Link Phoenix slot game is 5,000x your stake, which is the Grand Jackpot. The slot boasts an impressive RTP of 96.45%. It also has medium volatility, which means you can expect balanced wins reasonably frequently, although this is not what I experienced during my gaming session.

If you are a fan of previous Area Link slots or enjoy respin-style bonuses, then Area Link Phoenix will appeal to you. The game relies solely on its titular bonus. The Area Links round offers a fun twist on what has become the standard respin formula. However, the Area Links slots are essentially reskins of one another, so if you have played one, you have played them all.

In short, if you want to play a game built around a respin bonus with an above-average RTP and some okay winning potential, then Area Link Phoenix could be for you. If you want something more creative with a more diverse bonus action, you might want to check out our online slot reviews to find something different.

There are plenty of other Phoenix slots on the market I would highly recommend. Phoenix Paradise from Thunderkick has a fun free spins bonus and a 10,000x maximum win. At the same time, Phoenix Graveyard from ELK Studios provides an alternative take on the mythical creature. It also offers big wins and fun bonuses. Finally, if you want Megaways action, I recommend Secrets of the Phoenix Megaways from Roxor Gaming.