We already love their 40-liners: Fortunium slot (2018) and Dragon Shard slot (2019), so we are a bit prejudiced and with considerable expectations regarding the new creations of this South African game developing team that joined Microgaming’s family in 2018.
Nevertheless, we are excited to see more of their future productions (we hear they have great network progressive jackpot ambitions), hoping to entice us with their craftsmanship even more after such strong initial titles. Our expectations are based on the prior projects that the Stormcraft Studio members participated in Avalon slot, Thunderstruck slot, Immortal Romance slot, and Mega Moolah slot.
Full with exciting visual aspects, remarkable soundtracks, fantastic backdrop, effects and ambience for each feature, this new chapter in the Thunderstruck trademark line shows the dedication to quality and innovation of this game-dev group, desperately needed to survive in this competitive industry.
The Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot machine comes with the familiar Thor Multiplier Wild. Still, the new elements here are the Link & Win Re-spin, Sticky Symbols, 5 different types of Free Spins, supercharged Wild-storm and Wild-lightning features, and if that is not enough, the 4 in-game Jackpots Mini/ Minor/Major/Mega, priced at 25x/50x/150x/15000x the total bet, respectively.
We are sure you don’t need more persuasion. Launch this stunning slot for free here on our site without registration, or if you are ready for the real thunder and storm, visit any of Microgaming casinos.
Personal testers’ opinion about Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot
- Thunderstruck Wild Lightning is а top-notch online slot from the young Stormcraft team. It is by far one of the most thrilling games we had the honour to test and commend. Each and every detail – design-wise, provision-wise and feature-wise is executed with impressive mastery.
- The paytable is generous. The cycle length is very long, but this is usual for slots with high variance. The RTP is acceptable, however, check the warning at the end of our review.
- Sure the highest Jackpot is hard to be achieved, but Thunderstruck Wild Lightning stands out for triggering the Mini and Minor Jackpots rather often, which is a splendid surprise for all bettors.
- During testing, we’ve detected that in shorter sessions, the slot didn’t show great balance keeping. On the habitual way, significant bankroll increase is possible only with any of the special features.
- High-value combinations with x5 Wild(s) rarely came our way, whilst testing. And in general, the payoffs of the base game seem restricted to under 30x-40x the total bet (with no feature). Over longer distances, however, the slot makes up for the dead spins, and small/average payments by rewarding the FS feature or a huge/colossal win during the main game, via the Link & Win Re-spin function. This happened to us a few times when our collection of Thunderballs totalled over 100x the total bet.
- Although the FS are not often triggered, their potential is undeniably massive. It might take a while till you have all the options available, but once you do, your achievements are kept at your account history at the specific casino (per 1 casino ofc.). The average value of our FS winnings was 90x-130x the bet, and very rarely we’ve got 200x – 400x the bet. So, that’s what you can expect from this volatile game on a regular basis. But we can also promise that your heartbeat will often quicken and Thor will race to the rescue!
Slot’s symbols and features
- Usual 5×3 playing field with 40 fixed paylines.
- The 6 card symbols are at the low end of the paytable.
- The 5 rocks with various colours represent the high-end symbols.
- Thor is naturally the Wild symbol. 1 of the 2 top symbols, which substitutes for all others, but bonus symbols, and during the base spins may appear stacked randomly on the reels, and caries x2 or x5 Multiplier attached to the wins that participate in. During FS the Wild Multiplier has increased values.
- Scatter – Thor’s Hammer is the Free Spins activator if it comes like 3/4/5OAK. – This is the 2nd top symbol, which if drops in a pair, is gathered in the WildStorm 20 counter (left of the grid). When 20 pairs are collected this FS mode will be also available. 3+ Scatters open the FS selection, where preferred mode could be picked (out of 4+1 different FS modes), at a different game stage.
The exact values of all standard value symbols are laid out below:
- Link & Win Re-spin feature – The luminous orbs are the Thunderball symbols. The grant cash rewards and Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega Jackpots at the end of the Link & Win Re-spin function.
But first, you need to collect at least 6 orbs during 1 spin in the base game (the collector indicates them clearly left of the grid) in order to launch the feature. In the beginning, Thor with his power will come to open and enlarge a special in-feature grid (8×5), and you are granted 3 Re-spins, during which only Thunderballs will drop. If any of them land in an empty cell, will be locked till the end of the feature. Besides, with each new lock, the counter is set back to 3 Re-spins. The purpose is to unlock all the rows to the top. The ultimate situation is to have the entire grid filled with orbs, which will grant you the Mega Jackpot. - Free Spins – Landing 3+ Scatters will secure your access to the FS selection screen with 4+1 options. Each mode has not only its specific elements assigned but also opens in a different stage of the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning game (as the table below).
Settings
- Provider – Stormcraft Studio (Microgaming)
- Payment lines – 40 (fixed)
- Volatility – High
- The default range of bets – 0.20 to 16 CAD
- Playing field – 5×4
- The maximum winning is – 15000x the total bet
- Bonuses – Wilds, Multipliers, Link & Win Re-spin, 4x fixed Jackpots, Multilevel bonus, 5 modes of Free Spins
- Free Spins – Yes, plus possible re-trigger
- Progressive Jackpot – No
- Gamble feature – No
- RTP – Default 96.10% (allows getting a positive mathematical expectation of winning at the casino)
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Thunderstruck | Thunderstruck 2 | Thunderstruck Wild Lightning |
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| Studio developer | Microgaming | Microgaming | StormCraft |
| Release date | May 2004 | May 2010 | July 2021 |
| Bet range | 0.09-45 CAD | 0.30-15 CAD | 0.20-16 CAD |
| RTP range | 96.1% | 96.65% | 96.10% |
| Win ways | 9 | 243 | 40 |
| Volatility | Medium | Medium | High |
| Max win (x total bet) | 3333x | 8000x | 15000x |
| Slot rank Canada 2021 | 490 | 30 | 130 |
How to win at the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot machine? (Conclusion)
We were extremely enthusiastic when playing the 3rd Thunderstruck instalment. Nonetheless, this as every other slot is constructed to gobble more money than it gives. So play carefully. Check the exact RTP offered for this slot at your favourite casino beforehand. And do not miss to test the slot in the DEMO variant, before depositing real cash.
Regarding bonus money wagering, we give neutral recommendations to use the Thunderstruck Wild Lightning slot machine. We also leave neutral recommendations for playing with real money (mainly because of the long waiting for the bonus round, and the small betting range). A substantial balance increase is only expected in 1 of the 5 bonus rounds. You should bear in mind the following:
- If you are resolute to gamble here, we convey the belief of sufficient starting balance needed – for 200x – 250x bets.
- You should stick here for long-length sessions. The game is immensely popular right now, so you can profit from always catching it in a hot mood.
- It is wise to rethink your game strategy in case you managed to increase your initial funds by 30% – 40%, or in case you lost more than 30% of your bankroll. In both instances, you better pause/break your session and get back another time.
Attention!
The RTP of this slot is variable (between 92%, 94% and 96.10%, regarding the specific casino license). So check the exact return before you start your session!
