Ways of Athena Slot Review

The Ways of Athena Slot Game

Thunderkick says this game has been optimised to support desktop and mobile platforms through different browsers. So, ensure you connect your device to a stable internet for a smooth experience.

A fantasyland covered in a golden hue welcomes you to the Ways of Athena base game. Although the 5x3 reels are centralised, they are well-sized to allow you to appreciate the landscape. Also, you’ll spot the edges of a castle patched behind the reels, presumably Athena’s dwelling.

Surprisingly, triggering the bonus game transports you inside a dark, depressive temple, with multiple lit candles illuminating the screen. In other words, I expected a more vibrant bonus game design to symbolise the exciting action. Regardless, a triumphant melody helps spread positive energy.

As always, you can check out the slot and try its simulated version for free here at GoodLuckMate!

Symbols and Payouts

Although this slot starts with a mere 5x3 interface, it packs up to 10 regular symbols and 2 specials. However, symbols hit randomly on the reels after a successful spin. However, even Athena’s wisdom cannot help you strategise how to win since the gameplay depends on luck.

Regardless, when playing, cross your fingers and hope that at least 3 matching symbols hit consecutively from left to right, starting from the leftmost side.

While this review simplifies the payout rules, I suggest you check the paytable for the full payout info, including the win values. The paytable values change dynamically based on the selected stake!

The minor symbols in Ways of Athena include the 10 to A royal symbols printed against green slabs. Aim for 3 or more of the same to secure between 0.2x and 1x the stake. Then, the major category includes the following:

• Vase & Harp - 0.4x, 0.8x, and 2x the bet.
• Shield & Helmet - 0.5x, 1x, and 2.5x the stake.
• Athena - 1x, 2x, and 5x the bet.

The ‘W’ wild substitutes for all paying symbols to complete winning sequences and also pays 5x the bet when 5 wilds complete a payline.

Ways of Athena Slot Bonus Features

There are a few features in this slot. But remember, they are vital in helping you unlock wins of up to 25,000 times the stake!

Matching Mystery Symbol

The Matching Mystery symbols can hit on the 2nd to 5th reels per spin with a maximum of 2 per reel. Then, they randomly match with the same symbol on the first Ways of Athena reel and become double symbols. Consequently, they give 2 pay ways per symbol!

Bonus Game

Hitting 3 or more bonus symbols will award 8 free spins, while every extra bonus symbol adds +2 free spins up to 44! The Matching Mystery symbols that match a bonus symbol on the leftmost reel will become double bonus symbols, instantly triggering the free spins!

Collect Matching Mystery symbol orbs in the bonus game to complete the meter below the reels. The initial and second fill increase the pay ways per Matching Mystery symbol to 3 and 5, respectively. Each completion also awards +2 more spins! The bonus symbols don’t appear during this feature.

Feature Buy & Bet+

In Ways of Athena, you can purchase the bonus game instantly from the base game for 100x the bet. The theoretical RTP becomes 94.44% after purchase.

Meanwhile, the game also offers the following Bet+ options:

• Bonus Boost going for 1.3x the base bet. With an RTP of 94.30%, each spin becomes twice as likely to trigger the bonus.
• Bonus Boost Plus is worth 2.2x bet. With an RTP of 94.34%, each spin is 5 times more likely to start the bonus game.
• Flames of Athena costs 1.5x the stake. It has a 94.39% RTP and guarantees 1+ Matching Mystery symbols per spin.

How to Win at Ways of Athena Slot

I’m sure one of your primary concerns is winning in this slot. Well, let me start by describing its configuration first.

It has 3 symbols in its 5 columns and 243 initial pay ways. However, when the Matching Mystery symbol randomly matches another symbol on the first reel, it leads to 2 pay ways per symbol. Hence, the number of ways to win can grow to 43,923!    

Now, winning in Ways of Athena happens when consecutive symbols appear from the leftmost column to the right, as shown in the paytable.

To play, start by selecting a bet between €€0.10 and €100. Then, press the Spacebar button on your keyboard or click on the Spin button for a single round. Otherwise, you can use the Autoplay to gamble the selected bet for several preselected spins!

Ways of Athena Slot RTP & Volatility

Once again, this developer is subjecting players to a below-average RTP of 94.21%. On the other hand, the game has high volatility, albeit with a lucrative max win of 25,000 times the stake! 

The Final Thoughts

In the online slot scene, you either come across a complex slot with sophisticated gameplay or a straightforward one with few yet simplistic components. Thunderkick is a king of creating within the latter category, and this new Greek mythology-based slot is a classic example.

Ways of Athena doesn’t go overboard with its features. Instead, it focuses on the Mystery Matching symbols, which can merge and form expanding symbols, plus increasing the pay ways. You also get the free spins, Bet+, and buy feature options.

In short, the gameplay is majorly conventional without anything new to offer. But I wouldn’t fault the developer because I assume the team wanted to maintain an ancient mythological slot’s authenticity.

What impressed me most was the 25,000 times win cap. And although the slot has high volatility, its betting range is wide enough for you to limit the risk exposure. Having said that, while the game may not shake the dust off the mythological genre, it feels like a solid complement to thousands of its counterparts in existence!