Thunderstruck II
Thunderstruck II remains an iconic Norse mythology slot to this day—despite being 15 years old. The fact that it’s a sequel speaks volumes about the original game’s popularity. Interestingly, unlike with most other slot sequels, slot creator Microgaming retained all of the original game’s features in this one and still managed to spruce it up.
I had some fun (and luck) testing Thunderstruck II, especially its creative bonus features. Here’s my quick, detailed review of everything you need to know about this slot.
Where can you play Thunderstruck II?
Thunderstruck II is readily available at both real-money online casinos and sweepstakes casinos.
I found the game at BetMGM Casino in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.
If you’re not in a state where online gambling is legal, try playing Thunderstruck II at High 5 Casino. That’s where I tested the game. Cash prize redemptions are still possible at High 5 Casino, even though you’re not playing Thunderstruck II with real money.
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First impressions with Thunderstruck II
The impressive Thunderstruck II presentation got me excited to play the game before it even loaded. You can tell from the image of Thor on the logo that the grid will be fast-paced, and indeed it is. I was lucky to land a few wilds and scatters with only a few spins, which excited me even more. Overall, the game looks good, and the gameplay feels even better, which explains why this game was so popular when it debuted in 2010.
Visuals and presentation | 4.0/5
While Thunderstruck II may feel a bit dated by today’s standards, it still looks quite sleek for a game that came out in 2010. The images are sharp and the graphics feel smooth, and the overall design fits nicely with the Viking theme.
Additionally, the slot executes the Norse mythology theme quite well, and you can see it from the moment it loads. Notably, all of the high-paying symbols are famous Viking characters or items. Of course, Thor is the star figure in this game, but you’ll also see other popular Viking figures like Loki and the beautiful Valkyrie.
Role of sound in Thunderstruck II | 3.5/5
While the reels feel somewhat action-packed, considering all the Viking gods and heroes, the soundtrack is unexpectedly relaxing. However, it also mixes it up with loud sound effects that indicate when something special happens. For example, there are loud explosions of thunder every time a scatter appears. It is quite engaging, and you definitely won’t mind the loud disruptions to the main soundtrack since they coincide with goodies.
Gameplay journey in Thunderstruck II | 3.5/5
I must admit that I quite enjoyed playing Thunderstruck II. Notably, the game has medium volatility, which means that wins are more frequent, albeit quite modest. I started by playing with Gold Coins to get a feel for how it works. It took a few spins before the game started revealing its goodies.
Wins are quite regular, which I think is the best thing about the game. Wilds are also quite regular, which is convenient. However, the other bonus features are more random, and I’ll need to play longer to activate all of the features, right up to Thor’s free spins.
Bonus features through my eyes | 3.8/5
The bonus features in Thunderstruck II may seem few at first, but they’re not. Interestingly, the main bonus feature, The Great Hall of Free Spins, actually has a few hidden bonus features that aren’t initially obvious. Besides free spins, you also get multipliers, wilds, and even Avalanches, which is exciting.
I think that the bonus features are quite convenient. For example, free spins let you play more rounds without spending more coins, and you can even win in the process. Additionally, multipliers boost your wins without altering your stake.
I was lucky enough to trigger a few bonus features with a few rounds. Wilds are the easiest feature to come by, and you can land Scatters once in a while. However, I still haven’t unlocked all of the features. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t have a bonus-buy option, which I find inconvenient.
Here’s a breakdown of all the bonus features and bonus rounds you can trigger on the Thunderstruck II slot.
| Feature/Bonus | Description | Impact on Gameplay |
|---|---|---|
| ⚔️ Wild | Represented by the game’s logo. It substitutes for all other symbols except Scatter and Bonus symbols. | Substitutions increase the likelihood of creating more winning combinations. Replacing low-value symbols with high-value ones also boosts potential wins. |
| ⚔️ Scatter | Represented by a Stargate. Three or more Scatters can randomly trigger The Great Hall of Spins. They also award an immediate payout multiplier. | You get to play more rounds without spending coins if Scatters trigger The Great Hall of Spins bonus feature. They also boost your winnings by activating multipliers. |
| ⚔️ Wildstorm | Turns from two to all five reels entirely Wild. It activates randomly, indicated by Thor’s appearance on the screen. | Turning entire reels Wild considerably increases the likelihood of more winning combinations. Turning all reels Wild not only guarantees wins but also boosts the payout massively. |
| ⚔️ The Great Hall of Spins | The game’s main bonus feature. It activates four different levels of bonus free spins and varying bonus features. Activates when you land three or more Bonus Hammer symbols. | Free spins let you play more rounds without spending more coins, while different bonus features have varying effects. |
| ⚔️ Valkyrie Free Spins | Ten free spins plus a 5x multiplier on your winnings. Activates the first time you trigger The Great Hall of Spins. | Free spins save you coins and create more opportunities for winning, while the multiplier boosts your potential winnings by five times. |
| ⚔️ Loki Free Spins | 15 free spins plus a Wild Magic feature that can turn two to five reels entirely Wild. Activates when you trigger The Great Hall of Spins five times. | Besides playing more for less and potentially winning using free spins, the extra bonus feature brings in Wilds to occupy entire reels and form more winning combinations. |
| ⚔️ Odin Free Spins | 20 free spins plus a Wild Raven feature that assigns multipliers of 2x or 3x to all winning combinations on certain reels. Activates when you trigger The Great Hall of Spins ten times. | Free spins save you coins and create more opportunities for winning, while the multiplier boosts your potential winnings by two to three times. |
| ⚔️ Thor Free Spins | 25 free spins plus Rolling Reels (Avalanche) feature that removes and replaces winning symbols. Activates when you trigger The Great Hall of Spins 15 times. | Spend fewer coins and potentially win more using free spins, while Avalanche replaces winning symbols with new ones for more potential winning combos. |
Balancing risk and reward | 4.0/5
With medium volatility, Thunderstruck II doesn’t pose much risk to players. Wins are more frequent. However, the rewards are also modest, which can be disappointing. As such, I recommend making medium-sized bets and relying on bonus features as much as possible to boost your wins.
Final thoughts on Thunderstruck II
Thunderstruck II still holds its appeal over a decade after it launched. It is rewarding, thanks to its medium volatility and many bonus features. Moreover, the gameplay is quite enjoyable; the visuals are decent, and the soundtrack blends nicely with the overall theme.
Final score | 3.8/5
Thunderstruck II is an enjoyable game. However, you must consider that it launched back in 2010, which puts it at a disadvantage against newer games with sharper graphics and more innovative features.
Who would enjoy Thunderstruck II?
Viking enthusiasts would definitely enjoy Thunderstruck II not just for the theme but also for the overall gameplay. It’s also ideal for players who are cautious about too much volatility and risk.
Would I play it again?
Of course, I will keep playing Thunderstruck II for some time, just for fun. I can’t wait to unlock all of the bonus features in The Great Hall of Free Spins.
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