With summer in full swing, there are all sorts of summer slots you can get to grips with right now. A sweet little game that I’ve been tucking into this month comes from Playtech. With a name like Bee Frenzy, it is, of course, themed on those honey-making critters. However, is the buzz around Bee Frenzy true, or is this another over-hyped game with minimalistic features? Well, I’ve been stuck into it for quite a while now, and there are a few reasons that I haven’t been eager to play other slots. I’ll explain all in today’s blog.
Playtech Have Been Busy Little Bees
Playtech is known for producing some of the best-paying slots of all time, and their games are usually packed with features. It is interesting then, to see that Playtech have opted for something simpler with this release. This doesn’t make Bee Frenzy a bad game, though.
Right now, many software providers are packing their titles with arguably too many confusing and highly volatile features. Playtech has opted for something simpler, and Bee Frenzy is unquestionably accessible to first-time players and slot newbies. This also makes it an advantageous slot for anybody wishing to revisit yesteryear, when slots were simple but still exciting to play. Allow me to explain.
Simplistic Slot Gameplay at Its Best
Aside from its summer and bee-inspired theme, Bee Frenzy takes slot gaming back to its basics, and that makes it a breath of fresh air amongst those (myself including) who are growing weary of overly complicated online slots. This colorful little slot can be played for as little as 0.10 and no more than 30.00 a pop. For that, you’ll get just paylines spanning the slot’s five reels – well, I did tell you it was basic. You do have the option to auto-spin for up to 100 games, but that’s not for me.
As with most slots, winning combos must feature three to five symbols, and these include beekeepers, hives, honey pots, honey jars, honeycombs, and bees of varying styles. In a throwback to the slots of yesteryear, you’ve also got high-playing card symbols available on the reels.
Wagers and Prizes Uncovered
A minimum spin costs just 0.10, although you do have coin betting options that can see you ramp up the amount you bet to a high of 30.00 a spin. The wager-to-prize ratio remains the same in this game, which features low-variance gameplay and a modest RTP rate of 96.14%. The amount you can win is capped at 500x per payline combo, but via the bonus round, it is possible to walk away with winnings worth up to one thousand times your stake.
The playing card symbols are, obviously, worth the least, at just 10x, no matter what symbols feature in the combo. Any five bees (of any kind) results in a 20x payout, while prizes worth 50x are up for grabs via honeycombs and pots, while jars, hives and beekeepers can deliver wins worth up to 100x, 200x and 500x, respectively. That’s not too shabby in what is a basic video slot.
Free Spin Frenzy
The real enjoyment for me is what keeps me coming back to this Playtech slot – the bonus rounds. Firstly, there is a free spin mechanic, and this is challenging to land. Three scatters unlock just ten spins, while four and all five of them will bestow 15 and 20 free games. During the round, additional beekeeper symbols pop up, magnifying your chances of walking away with a decent win.
Another nifty add-on to the bonus round is the Bee Frenzy feature. Here, beekeepers will drive the bees into a frenzy, and you’ll end up with a wealth of bee symbols on the reels. They may be worth a lot less than the higher-paying symbols, but there will be plenty of them to add to your tally.
Finally, I must mention the Thundershots mode. If a Thundershot icon and a beekeeper appear simultaneously (only in the bonus round), the feature is triggered. You’ll still get to play through your free spins (and land wins), but in the end, a fortune wheel kicks into gear. This will allow you to win casino cash prizes or extra spins. It is this mechanic that offers you the 1,000x non-progressive jackpot.
Is Bee Frenzy Worth a Shot?
Bee Frenzy takes slot gaming back to its classical days. However, just because Playtech has opted for simplistic retro-style slot action doesn’t mean that they haven’t gone the extra mile to provide thrills aplenty. The bonus features are very well thought out, and there’s plenty for you to have a stab at. One of the reasons I keep returning to this game is the presence of those features, which can (as I can attest to that) yield decent wins for surprisingly minimal bets. Ultimately, if you’re only interested in playing slots to win money – what’s wrong with that?
Bee Frenzy has appeal for first-time slot players. It isn’t too complicated to learn, it is low variance, and it will also tick the boxes of those who want to travel back to a simpler time for online slots. All in all, it’s definitely worth a shot and because it is developed by Playtech, you can trust that its RNG algorithms promote fair gaming.