Muerto En Mictlán

The title of this release from Play'n Go, Muerto En Mictlán, translates into English as Dead in Mictlán. But this isn't a slot about gangland hits in Central Mexico, and Mictlán isn't some drug lord's personal fiefdom. 

Mictlán is actually the name of the Aztec Underworld. This is where the souls of the dead go and are guided through the nine different realms by the dog-headed Aztec god Xolotl. The journey can take up to four years, and just because the travellers are already dead doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Even souls are not immune to the numerous perils of the Underworld! 

With such a rich source of inspiration, you might be a bit disappointed when you open the 5x3 grid and see what looks like just another Day of the Dead-inspired slot. But don't judge too soon. Once the game gets underway and the bonuses start kicking in, you'll be transported to a whole different realm all together. 

The 5x3 configuration contains ten fixed paylines. The base game is set in a small town decorated for the Day of the Dead fiesta. But despite the bunting, an air of menace hangs over the scene.

All the symbols on the reels are beautifully detailed and ornate, from the card rank low pays to the premiums; a flower, top hat, and two characters in skull makeup, Catrin and Catrina. To take part in this celebration of the dead will cost from 0.10 up to 100 per spin, with a top potential win of 10,000 x the stake

The Scatter is a swirling spirit, but like most things in the nether worlds, it does not act as you’d expect. Instead of landing like a regular symbol, it’s conjured up by Xolotl and overlays a regular symbol. Only one Scatter can land per reel, and three are needed in any position on the grid to trigger the Free Spins and introduce the player to the first realm of Mictlán.  

In the base game, the Wild is a skull and stands in for the regular symbols to form a win. It also gives a prize of 30 x the stake for five of a kind. And I said in the base game. Because during the Free Spins, the Wilds go, well, wild.

The bonus round in Muerto En Mictlán takes place in a trippy, psychedelic underworld. Players advance through four different levels with increasing win multipliers and different features. 

Once three spirits Scatters have materialised on the grid and triggered the bonus round, the player has a choice to make. There are four different Wilds active in the Free Spins, one for each level, and the player gets to choose which one to start with;

Walking Wilds - move one reel to the left on every spin before falling off the grid. 

Exploding Wilds - blow up to cover four positions in a 2x2 format every time they land. 

Expanding Wilds - expand to cover the full reel when they land 

Sticky Wilds - remain stuck in position for the duration of the level after they land. 

Each level lasts for five spins, and to get to the next; players collect Scatters. Before each round, the player chooses the type of Wild they want to play with. Every win in the Free Spins has a random multiplier applied, and these increase through the levels as follows; Level 1 - x1 to x4, Level 2 - x2 - to x6, Level 3 - x3 to x10, Level 4 - x4 to x30.

With stunning graphics, a good top win of x10,000 and fun features, Muerto En Mictlán makes the Underworld seem like an attractive destination. But it can still be a highly volatile place, just like this game, so always set a loss limit before you start playing. And if you like this, why not try some of Play 'n Go's other games like Secret of Dead, Eye of Atum and Wild Bandolier. Bueno Suerte!