Lock and Pop Slot Review

The Lock and Pop Slot Game

According to NetEnt, anybody with a smartphone or desktop can play this video slot as long as they’re connected to a stable internet.

I’m conflicted about whether the game is space or classic-themed. Thanks to its empty yet starry backdrop, it may look like it’s in space. However, the developer deems Lock and Pop a classic experience with a modern touch. So, even you, the player, can pick what you prefer.

The glassy grid sits in the middle of the screen, surrounded by glossy golden frames. Various controls rest below it and in the top right corner, while the logo and buy feature command sit on the left-hand side.

It’s a neat presentation, which should be easy to familiarize with, even for beginners. Hopefully, this will spill over into the gameplay.

Symbols and Payouts

The slot’s vintage soul is enhanced by its retro symbols, which include bells, 7s, and traditional card ranks.

Although the paytable constitutes 10 symbols, only 8 can form the regular winning combinations. All you have to do is spin the reels, hoping that three or more identical symbols will match from the leftmost reel to the right without gaps and along the 20 predefined lines.

Ensure you periodically pop into the paytable to identify the winning combinations, their payouts, and the general payout rules.

Unsurprisingly, the low-win symbols in Lock and Pop are the usual 10 through to A royals. The 10, Q and J pay 0.25x, 0.5x, and 1x the stake, while the K and A award 0.5x, 1x, and 2x the bet for 3+ OAK.

Meanwhile, the Bell, Golden 7, and Diamond symbols pay the high-valued wins as follows:

• Bell - 0.75x, 1.5x, and 5x the bet.
• Golden 7 - 1x, 2x, and 6.25x stake.
• Diamond - 1.25x, 2.5x, and 7.5x bet.

The wild can appear anywhere in the base game and count for all regulars above in win combinations. Finally, the prize symbol can unlock the bonus rounds.  

Lock and Pop Slot Bonus Features

Most of this game’s excitement lies within the free spins round, which has different Lock and Pop modifiers.

Prize Symbols & Free Spins

Prize symbols are also scatters with 0.5x to 1000x bet values and can appear anywhere in view in the main game. When 6 or more appear anywhere, they’ll trigger the free spins and become sticky.

You receive 7 bonus rounds; only sticky prize symbols can land on the reels during the free bonus. The sticky symbols remain on-screen until the feature ends or until a Lock and Pop modifier is enabled.

Lock and Pop Bonus Feature

You unlock the corresponding top and bottom positions if the sticky prize symbols fill at least one reel during a free spin. Each row will reveal a different random Lock and Pop bonus enhancer, which is only active in its reel. There are ten enhancers:

• Retrigger, which awards +3 more spins.

• The Adder adds a random 1x or 2x bet value to all sticky prize symbols on its column.

• The Magnet clones all sticky prize symbol values on the corresponding column positions vertically adjacent to its reel on both sides.
• Super Magnet copies all sticky prize symbol values in the same position on all other columns.
• The Topper locates the highest-valued sticky prize symbol on its reel and clones it to each sticky prize symbol on its column.
• The Blaster adds a random 1x or 2x bet value to all sticky prize symbols on its reel. Then, the sticky prize symbol values are added to the collection, after which 3 random blank rows will be filled with the blaster value.
• Duplicator reproduces all sticky prize symbols on-screen on a second generated gaming area and 3 more reels without symbols. The duplicated game area spins horizontally. If the duplicated gaming area settles on an existing one, the duplicated values may fill empty reels or be placed on top of existing sticky prize symbols.
• Big Bang doubles the value of all sticky prize symbols on its reel. The duplicated values are also doubled in the top row collection.
• Super Collector accumulates all the sticky prize values on its column to the top row collection. The values from all other top row collections are then added to the overall top row collection.
• Hammer accumulates the values of all sticky prizes on its reel and puts them into the top row collection. The new collection value is added to every position in the Hammer reel. Finally, the new sticky prize values on the reel are added to the top row collection.  

After the feature, the sticky prize symbols are removed from the reels, and their values are added to the top-row collection.

Buy Feature

In modern online slot fashion, you can instantly activate the free spins for 60 times the bet from the buy feature!

How to Win at Lock and Pop Slot

Nothing beats a simplistic gaming process in the online industry. And the fact that this video slot has 5 reels, 3 rows, and 20 paylines means it’s precisely that.   

As highlighted, winnings are for three or more identical symbols that match adjacently on valid win lines from the first leftmost column to the right. The payouts in Lock and Pop can reach 4,046 times your stake! 

But first, pick a bet from €0.20 to €120 and then press Spin to see the reels play and hopefully trigger wins.

The right button represents Autoplay. Pressing it reveals a menu, allowing you to pick several auto-spins. The one on the left of the Spin button shifts between different spin speeds.

Other necessary functions on the top right corner reveal the paytable (i), settings (Rotary), and game rules (?). 

Lock and Pop Slot RTP & Volatility

With low to medium volatility, the game’s theoretical RTP is 96.09%. So, it has the potential to become a fan favorite.

The Final Verdict

Just admit it: what popped into your head when you saw this game’s title? Honestly, I thought that’s what AvatarUX would undoubtedly call its slot. But NetEnt being an industry veteran only means they can be unpredictable and create anything that sounds appealing.

But did the gameplay match the catchy Lock and Pop title?

Well, it’s either you’re into classic or modern slots. This game gives a taste of both visually classic and mechanically modern. So, you already know this game should be pretty chilled with an exciting gaming process.

To sum up, the main goal is to hope you manage the free spins, during which many bonus enhancers will boost your winning chances. Otherwise, the slot offers that plus the buy feature for its extras, making it somewhat lacking. Having said that, the only way to know if the game is interesting is by trying its free demo here!