Video slot makers have predominantly been fascinated with the fantasy genre, and NetEnt’s tryst with knights, swords, and treasure isn’t a novelty. However, the studio’s latest slot title features all these and more! Called Dark King: Forbidden Riches, the game takes detailing to the next level. Some might even call it a spiritual successor to Dark Souls thanks to the visual cues and overall layout.
Design, Theme, and Gameplay
Dark King: Forbidden Riches is based on NetEnt’s vision of the ultimate fantasy-themed slot. Apart from simple visual cues, the game packs a bunch of exciting features brightening up the gameplay through a quirky math module. Although the features aren’t unique by a longshot, they liven up the game nonetheless.
The general eerie atmosphere is the first thing that catches the eye. This works quite well with the overall theme as the action takes place within the Dark King’s lair. The spooky background score works well with the overall gameplay. Standard symbols include the common pack of 10-A royals, while special symbols include a glowing blue orb and the Dark King. While the former is the Wild, the latter triggers the big wins.
Bonus, Features, and Highest Payout
Dark King: Forbidden Riches features a 5-reel 3-row format with 20-pay lines. The game is rated at medium-to-high volatility and boasts 96.06% RTP for the base game. Buy-ins range between €0.2 and €400 per spin while the game offers a maximum win up to €800,000 on a single spin.
However, scoring the jackpot isn’t as simple as some of the other popular NetEnt titles as the maximum payout hardly tops 2,000x the total stake, which is quite low compared to standard medium-to-low volatile slots.
Dark King: Forbidden Riches doesn’t have an impressive list of bonus features. Wilds play a critical role in forming the winning combinations since these amplify the players’ chances of scoring a larger win. Landing two or more wilds on the reels during the base game triggers the bonus round. The number of Wilds corresponds to the multiplier, with five being the maximum.
Landing at least three red gem Scatters on the reels triggers free spins. These can land anywhere between reels 3, 4, and 5, triggering 10, 12, or 15 free spins. Wilds appearing in the Hotspot during the course of this feature adds one free spin. However, this feature does not work for players who’ve reached the 5x cap.
Synopsis
Dark King: Forbidden Riches is ideal for newbies and veterans looking for casual entertainment. Although the game offers a huge jackpot, the potential for a win is quite low. The base game might feel like a drag, especially if you’re used to some of the other fantasy genre titles from NetEnt.
Even landing a few Wilds doesn’t guarantee a big win. The only sure way is to activate the Free Spin round, which is easier said than done. Overall, Dark King: Forbidden Riches has the potential to keep players occupied for a while. But the studio left huge room for development.
Barb Oguz 
