X Marks the Spot Slots
Overall, X Marks the Spot Slots is a pirate themed slot that is wonky around the edges becomes together well thanks to a lot of heart. Featuring an art style that hums but does not sing, compelling gameplay mechanics, and a decent chance of giving you booty, this is a fun game that most people can get into despite the caveats that will be addressed here. Those looking for something breathtaking or inventive will be left wanting. Anyone that is down for a good time with a competent slot that clearly tries hard, however, will enjoy their time invested on the high seas here in hopes of striking it big.
Premise
As you might expect if you've even been a kid with a crayon and a piece of paper you turned into a map, the premise of X Marks the Spot Slots is pirates and treasure. Buried treasure, to be exact, which is where the titular X is presumed to mark. It features many standard tropes from that genre in a somewhat slapdash way that is uneven in its look, but for the most part sticks to a fun pirate theme and ends up being all the better for it.
Presentation
The graphics in X Marks the Spot Slots are nothing to write home about, but they clearly tried. You can tell the rendering is a bit off on most all characters, and some things stick out like a sore thumb because of their completely different background - at times a lack of background - but it has enough personality to be endearing despite all that. The colors are vivid and vibrant, the graphics are clear, and the backgrounds and UI go well together, however, to make something that will not hurt your eyes enough to stab one out and don an eye patch over it.
Mechanics
We think the gameplay in X Marks the Spot Slots is where the developer clearly spent their budget. Featuring the standard 5 reels and 20 pay lines, this is a slot that takes the classic formula and meets it with high rolling payouts and chances for gold. Bets range from a penny to $10, making this on the higher end of slots will still leaving the bottom end there for those more timid to pick it all up.
The Treasure Bonus round, as you might expect, is the most fun part of the game, featuring treasure maps shown in sequence that if selected correctly can reveal a key to a treasure chest filled with more than enough gold to make up for the price of the key itself.
Likes
+ Pirates are great + Really great + Colorful graphics + UI works well + Lots of heart
Dislikes
- Low budget character art - Reels and graphics do not always mesh well together - Standard gameplay
Who is this Game For?
This game is suitable for players of all types. In particular, it should appeal to:
* Players new to digital slots and looking for something relatively accessible * Moderate intensity players that have gotten their feet plenty wet in the online slots world and are looking for something a little more involved * Jaded slot vets * People that mostly want to win a bunch of money playing digital slot games * Players looking for slot nostalgia for the similarities and differences this slot has to other games * People more used to normal video games that are looking to get their feet wet in the world of online slots
Who is the Game NOT For?
Although we enjoy this slot, it is not for everybody. In particular, it may not be your cup of tea if this describes you in any fashion:
* Averse to winning money online * Looking for something truly innovative in the genre * You find the theme in any way offputting
Is it Buggy?
In the time we spent playing this game, we did not encounter any bugs, problems, or errors. The same cannot be said for all slots of this genre, so we commend the developers for a job well done on that. We also encountered no issues in processing winnings or payments, and everything ran very smooth just like you would expect across many varied devices in a variety of ecosystems and operating systems. It may play better on the high seas, but that could just be the pirate in us talking.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that X Marks the Spot Slots Hits all the high pirate notes you would come to expect in anything resembling the genre, and does so to the tune of high pay outs and big jackpot bonus rounds that keep things interesting. It does not attempt to break the mold of what goes into slot games, but it does do what it does well enough to be addictive, endearing, and interesting. If you love the high seas and are mostly looking for a high pay out, you will love what X Marks the Spot Slots has to offer. We recommend setting sail with it now before all the loot has been plundered and there is no one to blame for it but yourself.