AreaVegas Games, in collaboration with Games Global, has produced their first slot game that delves into the world of Ancient Egypt. AreaVegas Games is not a new developer to the scene, but you can count the number of online casino slots made by them, thus far, on 13 hands. Being in the industry, you would hope the developer can bring something new to the genre that has long honored pharaohs, the sphinx, and pyramids. 

To find out if Area Link Scarab Riches presents something truly different, I play the game in its real money mode. The result of this formulates this review that will touch on software settings, programming, gameplay, in-play features, design, and slot bonuses. You can also gain first-hand experience with Area Link Scarab Riches as the free demo game is embedded. This can be played without any downloads or signups. Enjoy the free slot game with any mobile device, and if you like the action, then why not try your luck with the real money version?

The Area Link Scarab Riches slot by AreaVegas Games comes with some old-school animation qualities, showing the design was not the priority. The Egyptian theme is quite minimalized, given the majority of the backdrop is covered by the game as its side features. The slot carries 5 reels, 3 rows, and possesses 20 paylines. 

Above the 5 reels are 4 golden Anubis busts, with a color scarab symbol upon it. These are part of a feature that brings upgrade modifiers into play. Area Link Scarab Riches holds four jackpot prizes, which can be seen to the left of the game. You have Grand, Major, Minor, and Mini jackpot rewards to win.

With the game up and running on your device, select the Total Bet button and it will unlock the price listing. Select the cost of the bet is something you pay per spin played. The cost of this runs from $0.20 up to $50. When you have this ready, you select the spin button to turn the reels.

To win, you must land 3 or more of the same symbols on one of the 20 paylines. The patterns of the paylines are displayed in the game’s paytable. The top symbol is the Anubis God (Wild), then the Bastet God, the Eye of Horus, the Lotus flower, the Ankh (cross), and the Shen ring. The symbols that pay out the least are the A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9. The symbols must align from left to right, beginning with reel 1. 

Now, the basics of play are simply down to you, the player spinning the reels. This continues until you’re done playing, run out of money, or won enough to quit playing and can cash out your winning. However, there is more to the game in the form of online slot bonuses and features. These can prolong the playing experience and allow you to win more money. 

Area Link Feature: The four Anubis busts are linked to a colored scarab symbol. There are green, purple, red, and blue. When these scarab symbols land on the reels, they are collected by their represented busts. Randomly, the collection of symbols can trigger the upgrade feature tied to the colored scarab. 

During any feature won, you will be awarded 3 respins. The counter for the spins will reset with each new scarab symbol that lands. The scarabs will come with a cash value or a jackpot prize. The aim is to fill the reels, and this returns the Grand jackpot, and the round ends when it is full or the spins have run out. 

Green Scarab Upgrade: Each spin with this upgrade can carry a multiplier of x2, x3, or x5.

Purple Scarab Upgrade: This feature duplicates the game, playing with 2 slot layouts. It’s called the Double Array.

Red Scarab Upgrade: This red feature plays with gold scarabs that lock in place. Reds will transform into gold. 

Blue Scarab Upgrade: The values showing on blue scarabs can transfer to any number of gold scarabs that feature on the reels. This can then turn blue scarabs into gold, and they will remain in place.

Multiple Scarab Upgrade: It is possible to trigger all upgrades. Green and Purple can form a twin game with multiplier symbols. Green and Red can produce a game with multipliers and gold scarabs. Green and Blue mixes produce multiplier and cash gaming. 

Given the game has four modifier upgrades and a mixed feature, a lot is going on in this game, which gets the thumbs up. However, it’s really about performance, which is the most important thing. I loaded Area Link Scarab Riches and played 50 spins, with each spin at a bet cost of $1.

The first couple of wins landed on spins 3 and 4  but equated to $0.70. Then, a lot of nothing happened with a $0.50 and $0.70 win landing on spins 18 and 19. The returns are very low, and having seen the paytable, I think this game is really low-value for money. With half my 50 spins played, no win has landed above the value of my bet. 

On spin 15, I managed to trigger the Purple Upgrade feature. This is the Double Array modifier. The round of this feature helped me to win $34.70, however, it should be noted that the values of the coins were absurdly low. With this win I managed to land in the green, so I stopped playing and cashed out my $5.90 gain. 

Area Link Scarab Riches comes with an RTP of 96.5%. The volatility of this game is programmed to a high setting, which perhaps accounts for the long gaps in no wins. The maximum that can be won is 5,000 times the value of the player’s bet. With $50 being the max you can gamble, the jackpot, therefore, caps at $250,000.

Despite being able to win $250,000 from a $50 bet, the base game is poor value for money. Just look at the paytable to see that, for the most part, you need to land 5 symbols to get a return that is more than your bet. So, 3 or 4 symbols are virtually worthless until you land 4 or more Bastet symbols. The feature helped me to regain my losses, but I wouldn’t be playing this slot again. However, I think there are many players out there who would like this game. 

If you enjoy playing the free demo of this game, then why not check out these other Egyptian-themed slot games:

Banquet of Dead by Play’n GO

April Fury and the Chamber of Scarabs by Betsoft

Luxor Gold: Hold and Win by Playson

Enjoy these demos and sign up for a new online casino via akfxoqsd.shop to claim your welcome bonus offer.