Overview
Book of Dead, developed by Play'n GO and released in 2016, has become one of the defining online slot titles of its era. Set in ancient Egypt and following adventurer Rich Wilde, it draws obvious inspiration from Novomatic's legacy "Book of Ra" format — but has built its own enormous, loyal following across European markets and beyond.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO |
| Reels / Rows | 5 reels / 3 rows |
| Paylines | 10 fixed paylines |
| RTP | 96.21% |
| Volatility | High |
| Min/Max Bet | Varies by casino (typically £0.01–£100) |
| Maximum Win | Up to 5,000x stake |
Theme and Presentation
The Egyptian archaeological adventure theme is executed with polish. Symbols include hieroglyphic-style character icons (Rich Wilde himself, Anubis, Ra, and a pharaoh), alongside lower-value card rank symbols (10 through Ace). The soundtrack is atmospheric without being intrusive, and the visual design holds up well despite the game's age.
Core Gameplay
Book of Dead is a straightforward high-volatility slot. The base game plays simply: spin 5 reels across 10 paylines, land three or more matching symbols from left to right, and collect your win. The betting range is wide, making it accessible to casual players and high-rollers alike.
With high volatility, you should expect extended sequences without significant wins in the base game. This is a slot designed around the anticipation and payoff of its bonus round — not consistent base-game drip-feeding.
The Book Symbol: Wild and Scatter
The golden Book of Dead serves a dual function — it acts as both the Wild and the Scatter. As a Wild, it substitutes for all other symbols to complete winning combinations. As a Scatter, landing three or more anywhere on the reels triggers the main feature: 10 Free Spins.
Free Spins Feature: The Heart of the Game
When the Free Spins round begins, one symbol is randomly selected as a Special Expanding Symbol. During the 10 free spins, if this symbol lands anywhere on the reels, it expands to fill all three rows on its reel — and pays on all active paylines, regardless of whether it forms a normal left-to-right line.
This mechanic is what creates Book of Dead's legendary big-win potential. If the Special Symbol is a high-value icon (Rich Wilde being the highest at 5,000x stake for 5-of-a-kind expanded) and it lands on multiple reels simultaneously, payouts can be enormous. Landing 3+ Book symbols during free spins retriggers another 10 free spins.
The trade-off: the expanding symbol mechanic is binary. Spins where it doesn't appear yield little. Spins where it lands on 3, 4, or 5 reels can be transformative. This is high variance in its purest form.
What Works Well
- Simple, easy-to-understand feature mechanic
- Genuinely exciting free spin rounds with significant win potential
- Competitive RTP at 96.21%
- Wide betting range for different player types
- Retrigger possibility extends free spin sessions
Limitations to Be Aware Of
- High volatility means the base game can be unrewarding for long stretches
- The game's mechanics feel familiar — it's essentially a refined version of an established formula
- Some players find the limited payline count (10) restrictive
- No secondary bonus round or pick feature — the free spins are the sole feature
Who Is Book of Dead Best For?
Book of Dead suits players who:
- Enjoy high-volatility gameplay and are comfortable with dry spells
- Have a bankroll large enough to weather base-game variance
- Prefer straightforward mechanics over multi-layered complexity
- Are drawn to Egyptian themes and classic-style slot structures
It's not ideal for players with small budgets looking for frequent wins or extended play time on minimal stakes.
Final Assessment
Book of Dead's enduring popularity is well-earned. It delivers a clean, high-tension gameplay loop built around the anticipation of its free spin feature. Its high volatility means the experience can be frustrating without a proper bankroll, but when the expanding symbol cooperates, the results can be spectacular. A genuine landmark title in online slots history.