Dragonz 2: Slot Overview

Before Microgaming rebranded into Games Global, the developer released the slot Dragonz, a fun title built around 4 dragons, each tied to its own bonus round. That was in 2016. Jump ahead 8 years and partner studio Hammertime Games has been brought in to create a follow-up. It’s not the first time, either. Mega Magic Spell is another Microgaming sequel handled by the Hammertime Games crew, and it didn’t quite live up to its name, so hopefully Dragonz 2 brings a little more bite.

What Dragonz 2 definitely delivers is a visual refresh. The backdrop behind the reels is nicely illustrated, and the transparent reels feel far more modern than the original’s heavy black styling. The soundtrack stands out as well, though the real stars of the audiovisual package are the 4 dragons—Flint, Switch, Frost, and Gobble—who look much as they did before, offering a pleasing nod to the past. New this time are the growable jackpots positioned beside the reels, a type of feature the Games Global studio network likes to lean on. Depending on your taste, they’re either a cool extra or a constant annoyance.

If you look closely at the bottom of the grid, you’ll spot 243, showing the number of ways to win on the 5-reel, 243 payline setup. There are three RTP versions available; each one is highly volatile, with the top configuration returning 96.3%. All versions accept stakes of 20 c to $/€20 per spin and come with strong win potential.

At the lower end of the paytable sit five gleaming gemstones, followed by a mountain view, a waterfall, and a sunset. These symbols award 1 to 2.5 times the bet for landing 5-of-a-kind. Above them are the 4 dragons, which pay 3-4.5 times the bet for a 5 OAK result. Wilds also show up on every reel. They substitute for any paying symbol and deliver 5 times the bet for a 5 OAK wild combination. Dragonz 2 also uses the Rolling Reels mechanic, where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones dropping in, continuing until a Roll produces no further win.

Dragonz 2: Slot Features

The first Dragonz game came loaded with extras, and Dragonz 2 follows suit. The feature set includes Wildstorm, the Wildstorm Multiplier, Character Jackpots, a Jackpot Wheel, multiple wild functions, 4 selectable free spins rounds, plus up to two bonus buy options.

Wildstorm & WildStorm Multiplier

Hitting 2 Wildstorm symbols activates the Firestorm feature and awards 1x. This can happen in the base game or via the Jackpot Wheel. One spin is played on expanded reels, giving 1,024 ways to win and the chance to turn up to 5 reels wild. Rolling Reels are not used during this feature. Landing 1 Wildstorm symbol may randomly increase the Wildstorm Multiplier by +0.5. The Wildstorm Multiplier affects only wins generated during the Wildstorm feature. Once Wildstorm ends, the WildStorm Multiplier resets to a random value.

Character Jackpots

Character Gems can land on character symbols and are collected after the spin finishes when they appear. Collecting Character Gems boosts the relevant Character Jackpot. The characters and jackpot ranges are: Flint – 20x to 1,500x the bet, Switch – 10x to 200x the bet, Frost – 5x to 75x the bet, and Gobble – 5x to 50x the bet.

Jackpot Wheel

The Jackpot Wheel can randomly trigger when Gems are collected. When it activates, the Wheel grants one of the Character Jackpots or starts Wildstorm. The Jackpot Wheel can only be triggered from the base game.

Wild Multipliers & Locking Wild Symbols

Wilds that form part of wins in the base game and during Gobble’s free spins may apply a multiplier. The multiplier increases per Roll up to a max of x6 in the base game. That multiplier applies to any win the wild helps create. Locking wilds, on the other hand, remain on the reels throughout a Roll sequence and are cleared at the start of each new spin. Locking wilds can appear anywhere in the base game except the leftmost reel. They show up on reel 3 in Frost’s free spins and are not present in Switch’s or Flint’s free spins.

Free Spins

Landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols awards 1x, 5x, or 25x the bet, respectively, and takes players into the bonus round. From there, the free spins selection begins.

• Gobble Free Spins – 12 free spins, where wild multipliers and locking wild multipliers increase by x3 per Roll up to a maximum of x18. Landing 3 or more scatters awards a further 12 free spins.
• Frost Free Spins – 12 free spins where locking wilds landing on reel 3 remain for Rolls and are removed on each spin. Locking wilds on reel 3 also spawn 2 extra locking wilds on the same reel, creating a wild reel. Per Roll, the locking wilds on reel 3 can increment a wild multiplier on a random wild up to x3 for the Rolls’ duration. Landing 3+ scatters awards 3 extra free spins.
• Switch Free Spins – 12 free spins where 2, 3, or 4 reels can sync together. Synced reels occur on each free spin. Identical symbols land on each synced reel and symbol Rolling will be identical as well. Landing 3+ scatters awards 3 extra free spins.
• Flint Free Spins – 12 free spins where stacked sticky mystery symbols can change to coin values or any symbol except scatters. Stacked sticky mystery symbols remain through Rolls and are removed on each spin. Coin prizes range from 1 to 25 times the bet. A multiplier trail, which applies to coin prize wins, increases on each Roll to a maximum of x6. The multiplier trail resets on each spin. Landing 3+ scatters awards 3 extra free spins.

Feature Buy

100x the bet unlocks the free spins feature, activated by 3 or more scatter symbols. After 1,000 spins, buying the Wildstorm feature becomes available for 100x the bet.

Dragonz 2: Slot Verdict

Sequels arriving many years after the original aren’t something limited to online slots. Just ask Game of Thrones readers how long they’ve been waiting for ‘The Winds of Winter‘ to finally hit shelves. The TV show ended ages ago, yet in the books Stannis is still alive and Tyrion still hasn’t properly met Daenerys (at the time of review). A lot has changed in gambling since Dragonz first flew in, and in certain respects Dragonz 2 mirrors what some groups of players see as appealing today—and what others don’t.

For whatever reason—presumably because plenty of punters enjoy them—Games Global studios are keen on producing local jackpot games (which we suspect resonate more in some markets than others). In one shape or another, they’re a familiar element across the GG line-up. Perfect if you like having extra prizes waved in front of you while you spin; not so great for players who’d rather see the RTP allocated elsewhere. Still, Dragonz 2 includes them, end of story. It also brings back the four likeable dragons, who look as if they haven’t aged at all. They return with their own triggerable features, and these differ quite a bit from what they offered in the original. On the plus side, variety isn’t a bad thing, and Dragonz veterans may enjoy working through each dragon’s free spins round.

Potentially the bigger draw is the Wildstorm feature. That’s because the game promotes wins of up 15,000x the bet – in Wildstorm. Outside Wildstorm, there’s a possible 1,500x from the Flint Jackpot, but beyond that it’s difficult to make a firm call on non-Wildstorm/Jackpot win potential. Even so, Dragonz 2 may not capture quite the same spark as the first game, and some players might have preferred certain gameplay choices to go another way (or be left out), but there are still parts here that successfully recapture some of the original’s charm.