For most fishermen, the fun starts with the preparation: check the map, plan, season and weather patterns, temperature, and water. Then the equipment: pole, reel, line, rod, terminal tackle and baits. Once the preparation is completed, and you are down to your favourite spot, the amusement intensifies.
Is it going to bite? Of course, and once it does, the thrill reaches its peak – not knowing what is on the other end of the line when you are hooked up with a fish. The adrenaline rush of fishing is a lot like gambling: you can’t predict when and what will happen, but the reward is worth the effort.
Although not entirely new in terms of functions (just like a cocktail of flavours from previous favourite games), this slot is refreshing, fair and entertaining. Set in the backdrop of picturesque locations (perhaps in Canada), this Wild Catch offers different variance and ambiance Free Spins style: Crystal Lake, Emerald Creek, and Golden Rapids.
Besides the Rolling Reels win pattern on 50 pay lines. So naturally, the grand attraction at Microgaming Wild Catch are the Wilds – coming in plural variants: Stacked, Splashed and Growing.
This smooth and enthralling at the same time game is built with High Volatility, plenty of RTP – 96.30% and multiple tempting prizes: 2000x the total bet from the highest Jackpot; and 3600x/5400x/9000x the total bet maximum in each of the Free Spins modes.
You don’t need a fishing buddy to accept the challenges of this ultimate fishing trip. Just launch the game in the DEMO version on our page and enjoy without registration.
Personal testers’ opinion about Wild Catch slot
- Wild Catch is one high-quality game, with not so common grid (5×5), which is also packed with action in the base game, has a multi-level bonus round, and tempting Jackpots on the side.
- Paytable-wise, nothing else is magnanimous, except the Scatters (providing 250x the total bet for 5OAK). There is no value for the Wilds, and all the remaining symbols are ‘Cheapos’- paying only between 10x (for the fisherman) and 1x (for the orange hook), all the total bet for 5OAK. OK, the Stacked Wilds are often helpful to create combos, and the Splashing Wilds in the base game is a very nice feature if it only happened more often.
- While testing, we were never fortunate to get anything above 135x the total bet. The whole synthesis of high variance stretched cycle and this number of pay lines (50, we agree with the general opinion that the game should’ve been better in a 243/724/1024 format) wouldn’t be disappointing here if only the symbols were more valuable. Most of the time, the wins are too few and too weak to increase the starting capital. We had a great time testing this engaging game, even though some of our sessions let us strapped for cash.
All in all, with near 29% hit frequency (not enough according to us), this volatile slot cannot sustain the balance, and we don’t advise attempts to wager the bonus money here. However, the slot machine is appropriate for high-risk takers, who like the dangerous actions like often altering the bets and now and then playing with the maximum bet – as the capacity of Wild Catch to hand-out big prizes is on board. Still, the 20 CAD limit may be smallish for the high-rollers to enjoy this fishing adventure.
Bonus Features
- Rolling Reels
After a combo lands on any of the 50 win lines, it pays and automatically dissolves. Then without pushing the spin button, the reels roll again. This repeats until no new combo drops. - Wilds
The game logo is the Wild card here (replaces all other pay symbols – except Scatters). During the entire game, the Wilds (carrying no price tag on themselves) come Stacked, but there are 2 other Wild variants specific to:
Base spins – Splashing Wilds – random feature in which some of all central reels may turn Wild, lingering there till the end of the cascading wave.
Free Spins – Growing Wilds – each Wild stack growing by 1/2/3 Wilds on the next spin. - Fixed (in-game) Jackpots
Wilds received on every spin and roll (regardless of winning or not) are collected left of the grid at the coin pile. Without an exact number to be collected (but certainly the more Wilds, the closer to triggering), 1 of the 3 fixed (in accordance with the stake) Jackpots can fall. Wild Jackpot – worth 2000x the stake; Silver Jackpot – worth 100x the stake and Bronze Jackpot – worth 10x the stake. - Free Spins
3+ Scatters (Golden Trout) – the top symbol on the paytable will initiate the Bonus page with 3 choices. They all include progressive Multiplier and Growing Wilds but will be unlocked after 0/5/10 rounds:
1 – Low volatility option – 15FS including cascading Multiplier from 1x to 10x, and Wild Stacks growing by 1.
2 – Medium volatility option – 10FS including cascading Multiplier from 2x to 15x, and Wild Stacks growing by 2.
3 – High volatility option – 5FS including cascading Multiplier from 3x to 25x, and Wild Stacks growing by 3.
Settings
- Provider – Stormcraft Studio (Microgaming)
- Payment lines – 50 (fixed)
- Volatility – High
- The default range of bets – 0.20 to 20 CAD
- Playing field – 5х5
- The maximum winning is – 9000x the total bet
- Bonuses – Rolling Reels, Wilds, Stacked, Splashing and Growing Wilds, Multipliers,
3x Fixed Jackpots and 3x Free Spins modes - Free Spins – Yes
- Progressive Jackpot – No
- Gamble feature – No
- RTP – 96.30% (allows get a positive expectation of winning at the casino)
