Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win may appear simple at first, with its 5×3 grid and Norse mythology theme. However, this new slot from Booming Games packs a few quite exciting, innovative features. Most notably, the Hold and Win format has evolved on this slot game; it is sharper, faster, and more strategic. Moreover, the free spins on Shield of Gold: Valkyrie come with tactical choices.
Overall, this new slot from Booming Games is highly engaging and entertaining, based on my first-hand experience playing this free slot. Here’s my detailed review of Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win.
Where can you play Shields of Gold: Valkyrie?
Right now, Shield of Gold: Valkyrie is available at WOW Vegas, one of the top social casinos in the world.
- Get 5 Free SC + 250,000 WOW Coins on Sign Up
- Over 1000 Slots Games
- Welcome Bonus and Daily Login Bonuses
- Use Promo Code: WOWBONUS
Video review of Shields of Gold: Valkyrie
First impressions with Shields of Gold: Valkyrie
I didn’t expect much from Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win at first. Perhaps it’s because the Viking theme is quite common, and the 5×3 grid appears quite simple. However, the Viking theme in this slot is quite elaborate, extending beyond the basic symbols, such as helmets and battle axes.
I was also glad to stumble across a few exciting and quite innovative features and concepts. While some of the features may take too long to load, Wilds are quite common. They are also quite exciting, as they aren’t your ordinary Wilds; they are based on an innovative concept called Wild Transform.
Of course, you can’t miss the fixed jackpots and bonus-buy features on either side of the grid. The jackpots are especially exciting, considering that they can pay out up to 1,000x. I should also mention that the bonus buys are conveniently affordable, and I recommend you use them if you want to see more of the game’s bonus features.
Visuals and presentation | 3.5 / 5
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win goes all the way with its Norse mythology theme. All of the top-paying symbols scream Vikings, such as the horned helmet, shields, axes, and long ships. Moreover, there’s a Viking female warrior, Valkyrie, complete with a crown, shield, and breastplates. All of this is set on a wintry background featuring a mountainous landscape covered in snow.
While the symbols and graphics are sharp, the overall presentation feels a bit dated, to be honest. This is disappointing, considering how recently this slot was released.
Role of sound | 5 / 5
The soundtrack in Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win does a great job of complementing the Viking theme. The main soundtrack is an epic orchestral with Nordic melodies. There’s a mix of string instruments, powerful drums, and even chanting choirs, all of which deliver a heroic feel. Moreover, there are unique, separate sound effects for actions like spinning and features like bonuses and jackpots.
Gameplay journey in Shields of Gold: Valkyrie | 4 / 5
My gameplay experience felt a bit basic and simple. I was lucky enough to land Wilds and even activate the Wild Transform features a few times in the base game, but that was after a lot of spins.
As such, I had to try to bonus-buy features, and I’m glad that I did. Bonus features are more readily available in bonus gameplay. For example, I triggered free spins more often when I activated the Golden Bet feature. However, the Bonus Buy feature is more convenient as it unlocks a greater variety of bonus features, and you can even pick specific features if you don’t mind spending more coins.
Bonus features through my eyes | 4 / 5
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win offers quite a decent number and variety of bonus features. The main bonus feature is based on an innovative concept called Wild Transform. This feature transforms every Wild on the Screen into a Shield and activates the Coin Collection or Hold and Win Respin features.
Other notable bonus features include free spins, Hold and Win respins, bonus-buy options, and fixed jackpots. However, I should point out that the variety of bonus features still feels somewhat limited, as several are intertwined.
Key features and bonuses of Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win
Beyond the base game, there’s much to discover when playing Shield of Gold: Valkyrie.
| Feature/Bonus | Description | Impact on gameplay |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Transform | Transforms every Wild on the screen into a Shield and activates one of two bonus features: Coin Collection or Hold and Win Respins. You must land Shields on reels 1 and 2 and then hit Wilds on any of the other reels. | Increases the gameplay pace and unlocks opportunities to potentially win more coins without spending more. |
| Coin Collection | Sums up the coin value of all the Shield symbols and lets you claim it as an instant prize. | Get more coins to play with. |
| Hold and Win Respins | Three respins to start with, with Shields locked in place. Offers the possibility of triggering more respins every time a new Shield lands. Additionally, get access to one of the four jackpots. | Play more rounds without spending your coins. Additionally, get the chance to win one of the four jackpots to boost your bankroll. |
| Tactical Free Spins | Land Ship symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5 to unlock free spins options. You can get 6 free spins and a higher likelihood of landing Shields on reels 1 and 2, which could help activate Wild Transform. Alternatively, you can get 8 free spins and a higher likelihood of landing Wilds on reel 5. | Play more rounds without spending coins and get the opportunity to unlock more Wilds or Wild Transform features. |
| Fixed Jackpots | There are four fixed jackpots: Mini (10x); Minor (50x); Major (100x); Grand (1,000x). | Win potentially huge prizes to boost your coins bankroll. |
| Golden Bet | Boost your bet by 25% and increase your likelihood of triggering free spins and Hold and Win features. | Play more for less and potentially win more if you activate the two bonus features. |
| Bonus Buy | Get a Mystery Bonus feature (random feature) for 75x the stake amount or a Special Bonus (specific feature of your choosing) for 100x your stake. | Trigger more bonus features and hopefully win bigger prizes, but the cost can cut deep into your bankroll. |
Balancing risk and reward | 3.75 / 5
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win had medium-to-high volatility. This means that it can be quite risky but also very rewarding if you’re lucky. As such, you must be cautious and try to balance the risk and reward. Bankroll management is the best approach; make small, affordable bets and hope they pay off big. I’d also recommend trying the Golden Bet feature occasionally, or even the Bonus Buy feature if your bankroll is large enough.
My colleague Taylor Townley digs more into Sweeps Coin betting strategy on Shields of Gold: Valkyrie in his experiential recap of the slot.
The good and the bad of Shields of Gold: Valkyrie
- Innovative, rewarding Wild mechanic.
- Exciting bonus features.
- Fixed jackpots for potentially big wins.
- Viking theme plays it pretty safe.
Final thoughts on Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win
There’s more to Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win than meets the eye. Beyond the Viking theme, you will enjoy features like the innovative Wild Transform. However, you will also need a good strategy to balance your risks and rewards, what with the medium-high volatility.
Final score | 4.1 / 5
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win delivers a fun, entertaining gameplay experience. However, the bonus features feel somewhat underwhelming, and the design doesn’t stand out significantly from other Viking-themed games.
Who would enjoy Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and win?
Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win would be especially appealing to players who don’t mind taking risks. It’s also great for those interested in Vikings and Norse mythology in general. You may also like it if you’re looking for something new to enhance your playing experience.
Would I play it again?
Of course, I’ll keep playing Shields of Gold: Valkyrie Hold and Win. For starters, I’m a huge fan of the Viking theme. Additionally, while I don’t like taking big risks, I have tactics to balance the game’s high risk.
What are some other top Booming Games?
Booming Games is a premier provider of slots games for real money at US sweepstakes casinos. Check out some other Booming Games titles in our demo library and click the link to Play For Real if you want to sign-up at a sweeps casino and try your luck.
Cash Pig Review: Living a Life of Luxury… or Just Spinning for It? My Take After 500+ Spins
Power of Atlantis Trio Review: Chests, Coins, and a Whole Lot of Bubbles
Burning Love
Fish Tales Double Catch
Buffalo Hold and Win Slot Review
Meet our team
