I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again – I love it when a developer goes out of their way to design a unique slot. That’s what AvatarUX did with Worms of Valor. While the developer was never a slouch – as seen with its Pop slots – Worms of Valor is a step forward for the studio. It’s a slot with up to 118,098 ways to win, but it’s not running on the familiar cluster pays or Megaways engines. Instead, it runs on a new mechanic known as Popscade.

As you might guess from the title, it sits somewhere between cluster pops and cascades. When a win occurs, the symbols are replaced with new ones while the reel extends. Symbols cascade from the top instead of in cells, creating an exciting new mechanic that’s filled to the brim with winning potential. And that’s not all. The slot has a top horizontal reel, too, called Zapreel.

You’ll be zapping wins left and right in this worm-filled bonanza with many twists and turns. The Zapreel rewards are amazing, and so is everything else about this slot. If you’re looking for something truly different, read my Worms of Valor slot review below.

Worms of Valor’s theme is quite a unique one. You’ll be placed in the middle of a war between worms, which reminds me of a unique video game I played as a kid. The dynamic and fast-paced gameplay sees the worms fighting for glory. It’s all done in a very charismatic way, so kudos to AvatarUX on the slot’s graphics and design.

Everything is top-notch, including the visuals and animations. The layout is easy to read, too. All the controls are located on the right side, with just a few beneath the reels. It looks and feels great to play on any device, including desktop PCs and mobile phones. The developer went all out with this slot’s theme and graphics, making it one of the best releases in its extensive portfolio of free slot games.

Before you play Worms of Valor, it’s best to check out the betting range. By default, the bet is set to $1 per spin, which is OK for me. You can choose between 20c and $100 per spin, so the slot is suitable for any kind of player.

Now for the features. As a Popscade slot game, each win triggers a pop and a cascade. As always, they will continue as long as there are winning symbols on the screen. This innovative twist on the PopWins mechanic also sees reels expand in case of a win. This means they accommodate more symbols and offer more winning ways than the initial 486. The maximum is 118,098, which is more than most Megaways or Cluster Pays slots.

The Zapreel is the horizontal reel on top of the regular grid. On each spin, it cascades right to left and either introduces symbols for the grid below or ZapReel rewards. This is where a wild can land, linking wins per the usual. As for the rewards, they are only active if they create a win on the line below.

Multipops can also be activated on the ZapReel. A random multiplier may be applied to the symbols below it. Reel unlocks can unlock the reel below to full height, also increasing the number of ways to win. If a boost symbol appears on the reels, it can improve the ZapReel symbol or reward above.

Landing 3, 4, or 5 bonus symbols in the base game activates the bonus round of spins. You receive 6, 8, and 10 bonus spins, respectively, per triggering symbols. All modes start with a global multiplier of x2. 

The bonus round doesn’t introduce any new concept, but the progress of reel expansions doesn’t reset on losing spins. If you unlock the reels in full during the bonus round, you get 2 extra spins. The multiplier growth is also doubled from x2 to x4.

You can buy your way into the bonus round. It costs 70x, 200x, 500x, and 1,000x for 6, 8, 10, or 12 spins. If you use the Ante bet, which costs 25% more, your chances of getting to the bonus round are doubled.

Worms of Valor is a seriously rewarding slot. I mean it. It had way more fun in the base game than the bonus round, which was a bit overpriced, in my opinion. Anyway, the base game experience has been delightful, thanks to the numerous features and my luck with the ZapReel rewards. I managed to hit a few decent cash prizes this way, while the bonus round, unfortunately, milked me out of my money.

But, overall, it was a fun and rewarding experience, so I can’t complain. I loved the Popscades, the special features, and the ZapReel mechanics, all of which combine to offer the ultimate slot-spinning thrill.

The Worms of Valor slot has an RTP of 96%. It’s right on point for a highly volatile slot game. The maximum payout is 10,000x the bet.

If you’re looking for a slot that truly pushes the envelope, its name is Worms of Valor. It adds a unique spin to a popular mechanic, making it more rewarding than ever before. It’s a slot that improves an already great mechanic and takes it to new heights. It’s visually impressive, too, and you don’t get to see such a theme every day.

If you want to check out how PopWins slots work, you have to try HipHopPop or Kitty POPpins. Any Avatar UX slot will be impressive, so make sure to put the developer on your list.