Free slot: Stormforged

Stormforged Slot Review 

Brought to life by the creative minds at Hacksaw Gaming, Stormforged is a 5x3 slot game rich in bonus features. 

This, coupled with its smooth gameplay and sharp graphics, saw it receive favorable reviews from casino players around the world upon its release in 2023. In fact, to this day, it continues to be a very popular choice. 

Theme and Visual Style 

To borrow the words of famed author George R. R. Martin, Stormforged is a story about ice and fire. 

This visual contrast is perfectly demonstrated by its two bonus rounds, as it shifts from the icy realm of Midgard to the fiery depths of Musphelheim. 

If you haven’t already noticed, Stormforged is deeply rooted in Norse mythology. Indeed, as you spin the reels in search of big wins, it becomes apparent that every aspect of this game was carefully crafted to immerse yourself into this world. 

Symbols & Iconography 

Base symbols are represented by letters from J to A. Aside from this, the reels are filled with Viking-related iconography. In ascending order of value, this includes two crossed swords, an axe and a helm. From here, we move on to animals: a goat, a bird and a wolf. 

What’s left after this are the animated symbols that can trigger key features. These are represented by mythical beings like Sutr (the fire demon) and objects such as Thor’s Hammer.  

Soundtrack & Audio 

If you enjoy playing with the music switched on, then you’ll love the soundtrack on Stormforged. 

Dramatic and almost tribal at times, it perfectly encapsulates the cinematic nature of the slot, becoming a standout feature in its own right. 

The sound effects made when an action is triggered generally do a good job of supporting the gameplay. That said, the signature bleep noise made by Hacksaw Gaming slots when you land a win are a little off-putting. Still, it’s a minor nuisance and one easy to overlook. 

Stormforged Slot Mechanics 

Dynamic reels and creative bonus features make Stormforged a very exciting and addictive slot. 

The game’s mechanics perfectly complement the overarching theme, while giving players plenty to keep them occupied and engaged. 

RTP (Return to Player) 

Stormforged has a theoretical RTP of 96.41%. This is pretty solid, especially when considering some slots can be as low as 88%. 

RTP refers to the average return of assets to players over time. For example, for every €100 deposited, the expected return is €96. 

This average was calculated across tens of millions of spins over an extended period. Sometimes you might get more and make a profit, other times you might get less. 

Furthermore, The RTP varies depending on the Bonus Buy: 

Volatility 

Stormforged is considered to have medium-to-high volatility. This term simply refers to the frequency with which winning combinations land in a game. 

As a rule of thumb, low volatility slots will see frequent but smaller wins. In contrast, slots with high variance make wins harder to come by, but when they do hit, the payouts are much larger. 

On the whole, Stormforged offers a good balance of consistent action and potential for major wins. 

Max Win Potential 

The maximum win potential from a single round in Stormforged is x12,500 your initial wager. 

However, for this to happen, certain features need to align perfectly with one another. This may include Treasure Chest symbols coupled with a combination of multipliers and or winnings from free spins. 

If you are one of the lucky to hit the maximum win, the round ends and any additional free spins you may have will be discarded. 

How to Play Stormforged 

Since slots are games of pure chance, there are no strategies that can guarantee you wins. 

But, before diving in and depositing funds, we strongly suggest giving the free demo mode a try. You can’t win anything, but it’s a great way for you to get accustomed to the mechanics. 

It’s also worth taking a few minutes to read through the game info before spinning. When you feel like you’re ready to use real money, always set a budget and time limit. 

Bonus Features 

Stormforged is a feature-rich slot full of scatter symbols, Wild portals and Storm Reels that reveal new multipliers with every spin. 

These elements aren’t just for show, but in fact, each bonus feature can prove to be potentially very lucrative for any player. 

Portals to Muspelheim 

The Hand of Surtur function as scatter symbols that, when activated, tear down the reels underneath it. This action reveals a portal showcasing a snippet of Muspelheim, the fire realm. 

In turn, these portals act as Wilds, substituting any other paying symbols. Furthermore, if the Hand of Surtur rips through a Wild symbol, a multiplier is revealed ranging from x2 up to x200. 

It’s also possible for the Hand of Surtur to rip through a Treasure Chest to reveal even more cash prizes. 

Free Spins Round 

There is another scatter symbol available, this time showcasing Surtur’s face. Landing 3 of these symbols will earn you 10 free spins. 

Hitting 4 and 5 of these symbols in one round will grant you 12 and 14 free spins respectively. 

This feature transports you to Muspelheim. Here, any wilds that appear become sticky, vastly increasing your chances of landing winning combinations. 

Warriors of the Storm Bonus 

Similar to how Musphelheim is activated, this bonus is triggered by landing 3, 4 or 5 Viking symbols, awarding you with 10, 12 and 14 free spins respectively. 

If during any of these spins, a Hammer of Thor symbol lands, the column transforms into Storm Reels that act as Wilds. These Storm Reels reveal one of three warriors (The Rogue, Shieldmaiden, The Berserker). Each character comes with multipliers of varying values from x6 to up to x200. 

Bonus Buy Options 

Rather than waiting for these bonuses to appear, Stormforged gives you the option to purchase them. 

If the value of your bet is 2 euro, here’s how it's broken down: 

Similar Slots to Stormforged 

Hand of Anubis 

Hand of Anubis is an ancient Egyptian-themed slot created by Hacksaw Gaming and features 2 Bonus games that are triggered after landing certain symbols. 

The game centers around these orbs of varying colors that act as wild symbols with progressive multipliers for each winning cluster! 

Power of Thor Megaways 

Based in Norse mythology and created by Pragmatic Play, Power of Thor Megaways includes scatter symbols and a Tumble feature that can earn you more winning combinations with just a spin. 

Just like in Stormforged, this slot also contains Thor’s Hammer. 

Valkyrie 

Featuring mythical beings from Norse culture, Valkyrie by Elk Studios has a bonus feature called the Sword of Destiny that transforms an entire column into Wilds. 

The game also includes the Arrow of Fortune, revealing epic symbols for even higher potential payouts. 

Final Thoughts 

Equipped with expanding Wilds, portals, multipliers and generous Bonus games, Stormforged is not short on excitement. 

Despite all these elements, the game doesn’t feel overly convoluted or hard to grasp, which is a great feat within itself. 

One minor criticism we came across was the infamous bleeping sound Hacksaw Gaming slots make when you win. It just feels a bit out of place and random. 

Aside from that, its slick visuals, tidy gameplay and maximum payout potential of x12,500, make this slot well worth a spin or two.