Nothing to do with the NBA basketball team of (almost) the same name, Phoenix Sun is in fact based on ancient Egypt and the mythical regenerating bird. Created by Quickspin, this beautifully designed video slot is played using a shifting 5 reel game engine where the number of rows in play changes from between 3 and 6 with the number of ways to win shifting from 243 right up to 7,776. Other highlights include respins and free spins. Play on all devices from between 25p and £100 per spin.
The setting here might be the pyramids and ancient Egypt but there’s a glossy, futuristic feel to the design of Phoenix Sun. Joining the lower value, neon-style A to 10 are the scarab beetle, dog god Anubis, cat god Bastet, an Egyptian queen and the Pharaoh. Land 5 Pharaohs on adjacent reels and you’ll win an award of 4 times your total stake. There are 2 extras on offer in Phoenix Sun.
Phoenix Rising Respins feature – these are triggered whenever you land a wild Phoenix that forms part of a winning combination. You’ll see 3 rows above the reels which are blocked. When the wild lands, 3 squares from the blocked reels open up and a respin is awarded. This expands the number of ways to win too.
If another wild lands, the process is repeated. The respins keep on coming until there’s a respin that contains no new wilds or you’ve filled the meter to the left of the reels with 5 wilds and triggered the Free Spins feature.
Once you trigger the Free Spins feature, you’ll receive 8 free spins. These are played out on the maximum 5 reel, 6 row game engine which offers a mighty 7,776 ways to win.
We’ve taken countless trips to the desert in ancient Egyptian-themed video slots. We’ve never seen anything quite like Phoenix Sun though. The design is terrific and has a fresh, modern look which works very well, even given the historical theme.
The features are equally unusual. The respins and free spins on an expanding reel set offer something fresh which we’re all in favour of. Egyptian games are 10 a penny. Phoenix Sun is among the better ones, combining high spec sound and visuals with some cracking bonuses to very entertaining effect. Another ancient Egyptian offering I suggest would be WMS’ Lady of Egypt which is played on a unique reel set.
