Our rating:
Developer: NetEnt
Release date: 12th Aug 2021
Reef Raider Online Slot by NetEnt Screenshot 1
Grid Slot
RTP: 96.10%
Max Payout: 8,500x stake
Volatility: Medium
Min Bet: 0.20
Max Bet: 100.00
Reels: 7
Paylines: N/A
Category: Grid slots
Themes: Animal, Pirate
Jackpot: No

Reef Raider

Charlie Vogelsang
Reviewed by Charlie Vogelsang Last updated:

If you've ever wanted to play an online slot with a crab dressed as a pirate - then you've come to the right place. Developed by NetEnt, this pirate slot plays on a grid of 7x7 and uses the Cluster Pays mechanic.

Reef Raider contains four modifiers, multipliers and free spins in this delightful slot. With the help of the features, you could win up to 8,500x your stake in this medium volatility slot.

Full review continued below ↓

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Our Rating

“A crab-tastic slot that is undisputedly enthralling”

3.9 out of 5

Features
8/10
Design
7.5/10
Gameplay
8/10
Win potential
8/10

Reef Raider Screenshots

  • Reef Raider Online Slot by NetEnt Screenshot 1
  • Reef Raider Online Slot by NetEnt Screenshot 2
  • Reef Raider Online Slot by NetEnt Screenshot 3

Reef Raider Features

To gain wins in this slot, you need to match 5 of the same symbols, which can be horizontally or vertically. This is the Cluster Pays mechanic and it's different to the traditional slot format. Alongside the Cluster Pays mechanic, there is an Avalanche feature which leads to winning symbols exploding and disappearing. They leave a space for a second Avalanche and this continues until there are no more wins.

Modifiers

As you open up the slot, you'll notice a treasure trail around the grid. This is ultimately a measure of where you are and how many Avalanches you've collected consecutively. Reaching certain limits will award one of four different modifiers which include:

  • Anchor Drop Feature - this is the first to drop after a few consecutive Avalanches and will transform 1 to 3 types of low symbols leading to them being removed from play.
  • Random Wilds Feature - this happens after reaching the right side of the map and places between 4 to 8 wild symbols on the reels.
  • Canon Blast Feature - once you reach the third corner, a random symbol is removed along with all medium and low win symbols in the row and column as the chosen symbol.
  • Mystery Chest Feature - reaching the final corner will remove 2 to 16 medium to low symbols from the play area and replace them with mystery symbols of the same type.

Additional symbols

Throughout the gameplay, a multiplier symbol can appear on the reels and multiply the win by the amount stated. These values start at x2 and could climb up to x50! Alongside that, you have clam wilds that appear when at least 3 medium or low symbols are removed. A wild coin symbol can randomly appear on the reels as well which acts as a wild.

Free spins

If you manage to get 15 or more charged during the trail around the grid, then you'll trigger 9 free spins. Landing 3 additional charged bars will give 2 additional free spins and during the bonus, you can trigger additional spins by landing 3 extra charged bars.

As soon as you activate free spins, there are 5 different Mystery symbols appearing on the reels after a mystery overlay pattern lands on the reels to highlight where they'll appear. These symbols form winning clusters of low or medium win symbols and stay in that position for the duration of the feature.

Reef Raider - Modifiers

Modifiers

Landing Avalanches will build up the trail leading to four different modifiers. These add symbols such as wilds and mystery symbols whilst removing lower-paid symbols.

Reef Raider - Multiplier

Multiplier

At any time during the game, random multiplier symbols can land and be part of the winning clusters. These start at x2 and climb up to a whopping x50!

Reef Raider - Free Spins

Free Spins

After you've managed to get to 15 or more on the trail, you'll trigger 9 free spins. Naturally, you can trigger additional spins by landing 3 extra places on the trail.

Reef Raider Review

The ocean is a mysterious place with so many hidden places that we'll never get to experience as humans. NetEnt has given us a clear insight into what goes on near the majestic reefs and it might surprise you. A pirate-looking crab is actually raiding through them in search of precious booty.

Reef Raider is a pirate slot that features a crab on a mission to get all the glorious treasures hidden underneath the depths of the ocean. The slot itself plays on a grid of 7x7 and uses the Cluster Pays mechanic. Throughout the slot, you'll notice four different modifiers and free spins appear as you make your way across the trail around the reels. Can you take on this rapscallion crab and reclaim the treasure for yourself?

Design

Just from opening up the slot, you'll be laughing and smiling throughout it. The obvious star of this is a crab who is just absolutely bonkers in looks and actions. He's a red crab with one peg-leg, one golden hook, a golden tooth, a moustache, an eye-patch and a golden pirate hat - so he's not your average. You'll definitely struggle to make crab sticks out of this tough one! His entire appearance is just so funny and raises so many questions, that you can't help but love him.

As you spin the reels, he'll do little actions such as snapping his claws or pulling a funny face - but he really gets moving once you land Avalanches. He battles with the modifiers as you pass them and tunnels back through a hole once you lose.

The reels themselves are set near a reef under the ocean with various plant life surrounding them. There are various symbols that naturally include shells and precious gems which is befitting for this slot. The little trail that you go across is actually written in the sand and it's just that extra bit of detail that makes this such a fun slot to look at.

Aside from the underwater sounds and general coin noises, this slot also features maniacal sounds from the crap alongside a fitting score. The music is a reggae beat with a drum in the background. Altogether, it's simple but not too overbearing compared to the rest of the slot.

Gameplay

Reef Raider uses the Cluster Pays mechanic which matches up 5 or more symbols instead of the traditional payline. Ultimately, it's an alternative to the standard slot format and it's always refreshing to play. Whilst it may be mesmerising to see the matching symbols, the gameplay itself is straightforward enough that you should know exactly what is happening on screen.

Like most NetEnt slots, you can find everything you need on the bar underneath the reels. Starting from the left, you can find the information button, bet level, autospin and spin button with the sound button at the end.

Win Potential

The slot starts off solid with a great RTP of 96.10% which is just over the average standard and has a medium volatility level. With this volatility level, you can expect a mixture of frequent low payouts with big ones coming less often. However, it should be noted that we found the slot to lean more towards the higher payouts less often which is something to be aware of.

In terms of the maximum win, you can win up to 8,500x your stake through reaching the free spins round and with the multipliers. Each of the modifiers will help you win big and we found it fairly common to trigger the first modifier at least. The free spins on the other hand take a lot longer and you will definitely feel the excitement and frustration as you keep getting close to it.

Our Verdict

NetEnt has delivered something utterly bonkers and bizarre, but it's so refreshing to play. You can't help but be fascinated by the crazy crab and be drawn into his weirdly wonderful world. In terms of the gameplay, the clusters are hypnotizing and you'll be glued to seeing them form as they look and feel so satisfying when they do.

Reef Raider is a masterclass in how to deliver a thoroughly entertaining slot with a creative design and serious win potential. Whilst, Cluster Pays aren't for everyone, we urge you to try out this ridiculously engaging slot that just works from start to finish. For an experience unlike any other, definitely give Reef Raider a spin.

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Jump straight into the action and play Reef Raider now at the following fully licenced UK slot sites. These slot sites have been thoroughly audited and reviewed by the team here at Slot Gods to ensure they offer an exceptional user experience, are trustworthy, safe, secure, and boast the best selection of online slots in their portfolio including Reef Raider...