Gem Crush Pokie Review
Gem Crush is a thrilling online pokie by game developer NetEnt that invites you to explore a hidden temple with various treasures hidden within. With cluster pays and avalanche mechanics, this game is designed to entertain!
Best Casino to play Gem Crush
| Software | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| Slot Type | Video Slots |
| Winning Lines | Cluster Pays |
| Reels | 6 |
| Rows | 8 |
| Min Bet | $0.10 |
| Max Bet | $40 |
| Jackpot | NA |
| RTP | 96.1$ |
| Volatility | Medium to High |
Expert's Verdict for Gem Crush
The Verdict
Gem Crush is an exciting game, but I feel that NetEnt has already explored this reel setup before. The game is powered by the cluster pays mechanics as well as a host of captivating features that keep the action flowing.
Each spin has the potential for a multiplier to be activating boosting the wins by up to 5x. Another standout feature of this game is the Rainbow Gem, which can upgrade any given symbol to a higher-paying one.
Compared to more complex games such as ‘Gems Bonanza’, Gem Crush is a little more user-friendly and straightforward, making it very accessible to new players. It does come with a maximum win potential of 4,361x your bet which is quite modest when compared to the 10,000x your bet win potential in Gems Bonanza.
Overall, if you love Gems Bonanza, you will love Gem Crush, but be aware that there are some shortcomings.
- Cluster Pays and Avalanche mechanics at play
- Random multipliers can turn up on the reels
- Rainbow gems can upgrade regular symbols
- Free spins bonus round comes with additional modifiers
- Quite a low max win potential
Design And Graphics
Gem Crush by NetEnt boasts an enticingly stunning design that commands attention from the moment you spin the reel. The game backdrop features various intricate details, with the reels set against a rocky formation framed by majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls.
The reels are peppered with an array of colourful gems, each one sparkling with its own unique hue. Be it radiant rubies or dazzling diamonds, the gemstones come alive with rich animation during big wins and bonus features.
How to Play Gem Crush
Playing Gem Crush requires some knowledge, mostly knowing how the avalanche and cluster pays mechanics work. However, these mechanics are explained in more detail further below. Here is how to play Gem Crush:
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Play for free: If you are new to the world of online pokies, playing Gem Crush in free demo mode at real money casinos will help you learn the ropes of the game.
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Choose your bet size: Decide on the bet size you would like to place per round. This should be in proportion to your bankroll size.
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Check the paytable: Check out the info page, to get a good idea of the features and the value of the symbols.
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Spin the Reels: When you are ready to take the plunge, hit the ‘Spin’ button. The symbols will not essentially spin but will drop from the top with a thud.
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Match symbols: Land a number of matching symbols in a cluster to achieve a win.
Special Features
Gem Crush might look like a basic game, but it comes with a few tricks up its sleeves, including symbol upgrades, free spins with modifiers and random multipliers.
Multiplier
In the base game, a multiplier indicator sitting atop the reels can turn active and reveal a hidden value. A multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x can be triggered at random and applied to any wins generated.
Avalanche
As mentioned earlier, Gem Crush benefits from both the cluster pays and the avalanche mechanics. To achieve a win in this game, you would need to land a number of matching symbols in a cluster. When this happens, all winning symbols are blasted off the reels and replaced by new ones. This can create more winning combinations, in which case, the entire process is repeated again.
Rainbow Gem
There are special Rainbow Gem symbols that can turn up anywhere on the reels and on any given spin. When this happens, it replaces a random symbol with a higher-value one.
Free Spins Bonus Round
The main feature of Gem Crush is the free spins bonus round. Land three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels and you will be awarded 10 free spins. In addition to the free spins, there are four modifiers that come into play as follows:
- Increasing multiplier: The multiplier value increases by +1x after every two spins. The value stays as is for the duration of the free spins bonus round and does not reset.
- XStrike: Boost the multiplier value by +1x each time this feature is activated.
- Colossal Wild: A 2×2 Wild symbol is guaranteed on every spin.
- Symbol transformation: Up to 4 Rainbow Gems can pop up with this feature. Symbol upgrades stay activated for the duration of the free spins bonus round.
Bonus Buy Feature
There is always the option to skip the base game and head straight into the free spins action. By paying a fixed sum of 70x your bet, you are guaranteed to land 3 scatter symbols on your next spin.
Gem Crush Symbols And Payouts
Gem Crush comes with 8 symbols in total, namely four low-paying symbols as well as larger versions of these symbols with stone frames.
Low-paying symbols: The blue, green, purple and yellow gems are the lowest-paying symbols in Gem Crush. These can pay between 10x and 20x your bet for 30 identical symbols in a cluster.
High-paying symbols: The big blue, green, purple and yellow gems in a stone frame are the highest-paying symbols. These pay out between 25x and 80x your bet for 30 identical symbols in a cluster.
Wild Symbols: The Wild symbol is characterised by a big W symbol. It replaces other gems in a bid to create winning combinations. It does not have any actual value.
Betting Options
To get started at playing Gem Crush, you would need to place a minimum bet of $0.10 per spin. The maximum bet available in this game stands at $40 per spin.
Conclusion
When exploring the various online pokies created by NetEnt over the years, the games always seem to stand out. Gem Crush has a basic reel setup but comes with a few extras that make it worth your while.
From the moment you start playing Gem Crush, you are greeted by a rather serene soundtrack that makes your gaming session a smooth and enjoyable experience. The game’s design is straightforward, delivering exactly what you would expect without any unnecessary complications.
The combo of cluster pays and avalanche features make this game highly appealing. The thrill of landing consecutive wins with random multipliers makes this medium to highly volatile slot game, one that is engaging. I can see its pulling potential as well as charisma in keeping players enthralled at real money casinos.
