Aztec Gems Deluxe: Overview

In 2018, Pragmatic Play launched the original South American themed slot Aztec Gems. It delivered plenty of multiplier moments, but little beyond that; it also wasn’t among their highest paying slots. Curiously, after a bit of online digging, it looks like the game really resonated with Indonesian gamblers for some reason. Either way, a few years later we get the sequel, Aztec Gems Deluxe. With some parts removed and new additions introduced, it’s time to see what actually makes this version “deluxe”.

As soon as the game loads, the most obvious change is that the fourth reel has been removed. In the first game, this was a Win Multiplier reel that could apply up to x15 to every winning spin. That’s now been cut, leaving a pared-back 3×3 grid with just 9 paylines set in a South American jungle backdrop. The visuals are a touch sharper and the reel animations feel smoother, but overall the look is very similar. The dramatic soundtrack is still here too, and it’s genuinely quite rousing.

You begin by choosing stakes from 9 p/c to $/€90 per spin, and it runs smoothly on any device. With only three reels, the only possible wins are three-of-a-kind, formed from 5 different gemstone symbols. Their payouts range from 0.89x for the yellow triangle up to 9.78 times your stake for the red diamond-shaped gem. Assisting with wins is the wild symbol, which substitutes for everything except the Money Symbol. Wilds also pay on their own, awarding 27.78 times the stake for three on a line. There are plenty of unusual values and quirky number sets scattered throughout the game.

One number that’s refreshingly straightforward is the default RTP of 96.5%, which sits comfortably above average. Volatility has been increased for the deluxe edition, now rating 4/5 on Pragmatic’s volatility meter and placing it in medium/high territory. It’s definitely possible to drift through some harsh dry spells, although we also landed the Grand Jackpot during testing, so there’s no doubt this one plays like a volatile slot.

Aztec Gems Deluxe: Features

We’ve already covered that the win multiplier reel is no longer part of the game, but it’s been replaced with several new mechanics. These are Money Respins, a Wheel of Fortune, and four fixed jackpots that you can land.

The key to accessing the jackpots is the blue Money Symbol, which shows either a cash value or the Mini or Minor jackpots. When 4 or more land, they activate the Money Respin feature. This feature starts only after any standard wins have been paid. Next, the regular symbols disappear, while the triggering Money Symbols remain locked on the reels.

The round begins with 3 respins where only Money Symbols can appear. Any new Money Symbols that land lock in place and the spin counter resets back to 3. When the spins reach zero, all values shown on the Money Symbols are added together and paid out.

If every position fills with Money symbols, the prizes are awarded and then one random feature is triggered – either a Multiplier or the Wheel of Fortune. If the Multiplier is selected, then a modifier of 2x, 5x, 8x, or 10x is applied to the total win from the respin round.

On the Wheel of Fortune, the available prizes include multipliers ranging from 18 to 388 times the total bet. This is also where you can win one of the 4 jackpots- the Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand. The jackpots pay 100x, 250x, 500x, or 1,000 times the stake respectively.

Aztec Gems Deluxe: Verdict

Overall, the “deluxe” label isn’t completely undeserved. Aztec Gems Deluxe offers more than the original thanks to the respins and jackpot layer. The win multiplier reel may be missing, but the low base symbol payouts in the first game largely limited how impactful that feature felt anyway, so it’s not a huge sacrifice. The theme is also used a little more effectively, as the graphics have clearly progressed in the years since. Put simply, if you liked the original, there’s a good chance you’ll like the deluxe version too.

That said, Aztec Gems Deluxe was a slightly awkward one to review because it didn’t really provoke a strong reaction in either direction. It’s competently built, with attractive visuals and an energetic soundtrack. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and not much more. Our test sessions were fine and included a few standout moments, but once it was done, there wasn’t much urge to jump back in. Ultimately, Aztec Gems Deluxe feels like a straightforward fruit slot dressed up as something more.

If you enjoy simple, quick slots that can drop a smaller jackpot at any time, Aztec Gems Deluxe could be a good fit. Players who want more depth to the gameplay will likely find it a bit thin. The bigger question may be whether Aztec Gems Deluxe will catch on across Asia the way the original seemingly did.