Medusa: Fortune & Glory: Overview

Hop on a virtual charter to the sun-soaked coastline of Ancient Greece in the myth-inspired slot Medusa: Fortune & Glory from Dreamtech Gaming. The previous time we ran into the Asia-focused studio was with the fantasy-heavy spectacle Ice and Fire. Not George R. R. Martin’s Fire and Ice, but still packed with dragon energy.

That title arrived through Yggdrasil Gamings YGS Masters program, and today’s game does too. Of course, the legendary Medusa wasn’t exactly known for handing out riches. She was far more famous for turning would-be heroes into stone with a single glance. Does this version flip the script?

It certainly starts well on presentation. The 6-reel, 4,096 win ways layout sits against a bright Aegean Sea backdrop where you can almost taste the olive oil and feta. Dreamtech Gaming has opted for a more cartoon-like look rather than photorealism, and paired with a classic Greek-style soundtrack it keeps the atmosphere upbeat. With a history full of cartoon/Manga/fantasy themed slots, Dreamtech has clearly refined this style into something of a specialty.

You can play from 10 p/c to $/€30 per spin, with a notably healthy RTP of 96.62% and volatility sitting in the medium to high range. Also on the higher side is the hit rate of 37.04%. In other words, over a third of spins should land a win on average, which helps maintain momentum.

Cracking open the paytable like an old, corroded treasure chest reveals 9 symbols divided between creatures and royals. The royals are stone-textured 10-A icons, while the premium beasts feature Pegasus, a winged warthog, the Hydra, and the Minotaur. The Minotaur, master of the Cretan Labyrinth, is also king of the paytable here. He not only pays 10x for 6 of a kind, but he also awards payouts when just two land. The Medusa symbol functions as a wild, substituting for any regular pay symbol to complete combinations.

Medusa: Fortune & Glory: Features

Medusa: Fortune & Glory comes with a handful of extras worth noting. One is the Wild feature that spices up regular play, while two bonus games stay hidden until they’re activated. Players get to decide which one to play, depending on whether they prefer additional wilds or multipliers.

Any time a Medusa Wild lands during a base game or bonus game spin, it may trigger the Spreading Wilds feature. When it does, Snake Wilds are placed onto the reels. Each Medusa Wild can add up to 3 Snake Wilds each to reels 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Wilds can help keep the base game ticking over, but the real targets are the Parthenon-like Bonus symbols. When at least 3 appear, they activate one of two Free Games – the Fortune Feature or the Glory Feature. The player picks their preferred option, and the bonus begins.

Choosing the Fortune feature gives players 6 chests to pick from. The chosen chest reveals the free spins award – 8, 12, 15, 20, 30, or 40. Next, players pick one more chest from a separate set of 6 to claim a win multiplier of x2, x3, x5, x8, x10, or x20. Fortune free spins may be retriggered during the round, awarding 10 extra spins.

The other Free Game is the Glory feature. As before, players select two chests to uncover 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20 free spins. The second chest selection grants extra wilds. Up to three regular symbols are chosen to also behave as wilds. This game can also be retriggered, with 10 extra spins awarded.

Medusa: Fortune & Glory: Verdict

Medusa: Fortune & Glory is a more straightforward slot than some other entries in the Dreamtech catalogue, and it benefits from that simplicity. Rather than pushing hard for something eccentric, the focus seems to have been on getting the core elements right. The end result is an attractive game with enjoyable features, even if it doesn’t bring a huge amount that’s truly new.

Having the option to choose between two bonus games is still a nice touch. Dreamtech doesn’t state whether the two rounds deliver different stats or returns, so the decision is mainly down to taste. More wilds, or a win multiplier up to x20? It’s a tricky call, but a satisfying one to make. Another standout is the overall potential of Medusa: Fortune & Glory. Officially, wins up to 74,400 times the stake can be achieved, so the “fortune” in the name is well represented.

The collaboration with Yggdrasil appears to be paying off, as this stands among Dreamtech’s stronger releases. The visuals are excellent, and the playful approach to what could have been a weighty mythological theme may broaden its appeal. Medusa herself looks more like she’s dressed for a night out in a split-front dress than for petrifying heroes into boulders. The theme is handled effectively—perhaps Yggdrasil had a hand in shaping that direction, though it’s hard to say.

All told, Medusa: Fortune & Glory offers far more strengths than weaknesses. The win potential is there, and two solid bonus games sit in wait to be triggered. Overall, it’s one of the better Medusa themed slots you’re likely to find right now.