Quick Stats
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Provider | NetEnt |
| Game Type | Video Slot |
| RTP | 96.02% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Reels / Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Paylines | 20 Fixed |
| Min Bet | $0.20 |
| Max Bet | $100.00 |
| Max Win | 1,500x stake |
| Features | Avalanche Wins, Fire Storm Wild, Earth Storm Wild, Air Storm Wild, Water Storm Wild, Free Falls |
| Theme | Space, Four Elements |
| Release Date | 22 August 2012 |
| Platform | Desktop & Mobile |
What Is Elements: The Awakening?
Elements isn’t your standard spin-and-wait slot. Instead of reels rotating, symbols cascade down the grid. When three or more match on a payline, they explode and vanish. New symbols fall into the empty spaces, creating a chain reaction. Win again? The meter fills. Sounds simple. But with four distinct element-themed bonus modes—Fire, Earth, Air, Water—each triggering a different wild mechanic, there’s genuine depth here.
This game is for players who like visual spectacle paired with mechanical complexity. It’s not for slot purists who want predictable, fast-paced spins. It’s not for bonus-buy hunters either—this one makes you earn your Free Falls the old-fashioned way, through base game grinds.
The theme itself is sci-fi. You’re not in an earthbound temple or mystical forest; you’re on an alien planet where elemental forces collide. The backdrop shows a sprawling space landscape. Fire volcanoes, ice mountains, lush vegetation, crystal lakes. Each element gets its own visual territory. And they look sharp.
RTP and Volatility
At 96.02%, Elements’ return-to-player sits comfortably above the industry average (usually 96.0% baseline). Here’s what that means in real terms: over millions of spins, the game returns $96.02 per $100 wagered. Play a $20 session, and statistically you’ll lose about $0.40 over the long run. That’s not a guarantee per session—variance makes sure some sessions you’ll win, others you’ll tank.
Medium volatility means predictable. You’ll land regular small-to-medium wins in the base game. Dry spells happen, but they don’t stretch painfully. The real money sits in the Free Falls. Land those bonus wilds in the right mode and the payouts scale up. Earth and Fire Storm modes tend to hit harder than Air and Water.
Hit frequency is 29%, meaning roughly 1-in-3 spins produces some payout. That’s steady. You’re not chasing ghosts between bonuses.
Betting Range
Minimum bet is $0.20. Maximum is $100.00. The range spans a wide player base—casual players with £10 session budgets and high-rollers hunting for the 1,500x ceiling on a $100 spin.
Bet adjusts via bet level (1–10) and coin value ($0.01–$0.50). All 20 paylines stay active; you can’t reduce them. This is where older NetEnt design shows—modern games let you flex payline count. Here, you take the 20 or don’t play.
At max bet ($100), a 1,500x hit lands you $150,000. At min bet ($0.20), it’s $300. Meaningful difference, but neither outcome carries the life-changing ceiling modern high-volatility slots promise. Medium vol keeps jackpots grounded.
How to Play Elements: The Awakening
- Set your stake. Use the Bet Level and Coin Value buttons. Confirm your total stake is displayed (usually upper left). Budget players start at level 1, coin value $0.01 ($0.20 total). High-rollers jump to level 10, coin value $0.50 ($100 total).
- Check the paytable. Click the Paytable icon (usually lower left). Understand the symbol pay values. Fire creature pays 1,500 coins (top of the table). Water, Earth, Air creatures pay progressively less. You need 3+ matching symbols on an active line to win.
- Hit Spin. The central button launches a single round. Symbols fall from above instead of spinning. Watch for winning combos. Each win lights up the Avalanche Meter (four crystals displayed on or near the spin button).
- Avalanche mechanics. Each consecutive win fills one crystal on the Avalanche Meter. After four consecutive wins in a single spin round, the Free Falls feature triggers. The color of the winning symbols determines which element bonus you enter.
- Free Falls modes. You get 10 free spins. The active element (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water) defines which wild type activates during the bonus. Each wild behaves differently—Fire spreads, Earth sticks, Air moves, Water expands. Bonus wilds substitute freely, creating stacked wins.
- Collect or spin again. After Free Falls, your balance updates. You can cash out or keep playing. There’s no separate gamble feature; payouts are final.
Try this: Load the demo. Play 20 spins at level 1, coin $0.01 ($0.20 per spin). Track how often you hit the Avalanche Meter and how long bonus rounds take to trigger. Most players hit Free Falls within 100–150 spins at this volatility. Time the whole sequence—free spins plus avalanches typically complete in 60–90 seconds.
Symbols and Paytable
No card symbols. No filler. Eight themed icons representing four elements as both “samples” (elemental rocks/orbs) and “creatures” (animated beings).
Fire – The fire creature is the highest-paying symbol. Five of these pay 1,500 coins. The fire sample (smaller version) pays 150 coins for five. Three fire symbols of mixed types (sample + creature) don’t win—you must match the exact symbol type.
Water – The water creature pays 500 coins for five. The water sample pays 75 coins for five.
Earth – The earth creature pays 400 coins for five. The earth sample pays 60 coins for five.
Air – The air creature pays 300 coins for five. The air sample pays 50 coins for five.
Wild Symbol – A grey metallic cube. Appears on reels 2–5 only during the base game (reels 1 never shows wild). Substitutes for all standard symbols to complete paylines. Cannot form its own combo.
No scatter symbol. No multipliers in base game. Bonus multipliers exist only within the Free Falls round via stacking wilds.
The paytable is clean and transparent. Highest base game win for five fire creatures at $100 bet: $1,500. That’s your ceiling unless Free Falls stacks wilds and lands consecutive avalanches.
Bonus Features
Avalanche Meter and Free Falls Trigger
The Avalanche Meter tracks consecutive wins in a single spin round. After each win, one of four colored crystals lights up. The color corresponds to the highest-paying element in that win. Once all four crystals light (four consecutive avalanche wins), the Free Falls feature activates and spins a random element.
This isn’t player-controlled. You can’t choose which element you want. The game assigns one based on whatever element generated the fourth consecutive win. That randomness is either charming or frustrating depending on your mood.
Fire Storm Wilds
Triggered when the Fire element dominates the Avalanche Meter.
You receive 10 Free Falls. Fire Storm Wilds appear on reels 2, 3, and 4 and spread to adjacent reels. If a Fire Storm Wild lands next to another symbol, it converts that symbol into a wild. This cascading effect multiplies wild coverage and stacks wins rapidly. Fire Storm tends to be the highest-paying bonus mode—expect average wins in the 120–200x stake range, with outliers reaching 500x+.
Earth Storm Wilds
Triggered when the Earth element dominates the Avalanche Meter.
You receive 10 Free Falls. Earth Storm Wilds are sticky—they lock in place for up to three Free Falls. If a sticky wild contributes to a win, it stays put. If another win occurs on the same reel, the wild remains. This creates consistent reel coverage without the chaos of spreading wilds. Earth Storm pays similarly to Fire Storm but with slightly less volatility.
Air Storm Wilds
Triggered when the Air element dominates the Avalanche Meter.
You receive 10 Free Falls. Two Air Storm Wilds drop randomly onto the reels at the start of each Free Fall. These wilds move position after each fall (they “walk” across the grid). The unpredictability makes Air Storm feel less stable than Fire or Earth. Payouts average lower but can spike if wilds land favorably.
Water Storm Wilds
Triggered when the Water element dominates the Avalanche Meter.
You receive 10 Free Falls. Water Storm Wilds expand to cover entire reels vertically. A single Water Storm Wild becomes a 3-symbol vertical block, massively increasing matching potential. Water Storm pairs well with the avalanche mechanic—one expanded wild landing on reel 3 can trigger multiple paylines simultaneously. Payouts track Fire and Earth Storm in terms of average, but the mechanic feels more rewarding.
Is Elements: The Awakening Worth Playing?
Pros:
- RTP of 96.02% is above industry standard, giving you favorable long-term odds.
- Four distinct bonus modes add genuine replay value; each feels mechanically different.
- Avalanche mechanic rewards patience—multiple wins from a single spin create dynamic sessions.
- Visually polished for a 2012 release; animations remain sharp and smooth.
- Medium volatility provides regular wins without brutal dry spells.
- Mobile optimization is genuine—no clunky resizing or layout breaks on phones.
Cons:
- No scatter symbol means no control over bonus triggers; you’re entirely subject to Avalanche RNG.
- No multipliers in base game or most bonus modes make big payouts dependent on symbol stacking, not multiplication.
- Wild symbols only appear on reels 2–5; reel 1 never hits wilds, limiting combo potential.
- No bonus-buy feature, so impatient players must grind base game to trigger Free Falls.
- Graphics show age against modern releases; the visual bar has risen significantly since 2012.
- 20 fixed paylines feel restrictive compared to modern cluster-based or Megaways slots.
Elements: The Awakening is a solid mid-tier slot that justifies a session or two, especially in demo mode. The four-element bonus system and Avalanche mechanic set it apart from standard grid slots, and the 96.02% RTP rewards disciplined play over extended sessions. It suits players who prefer mechanical depth over bonus-buy convenience and don’t mind waiting for Free Falls. Skip it if you chase rapid bonus triggers or expect 2,000x+ max wins. It’s a thinking player’s slot, not a volume grinder.
Responsible Gambling
Elements: The Awakening uses a certified random number generator (RNG) to determine all outcomes. No outcome can be predicted, influenced, or accelerated through skill or strategy. Each spin is independent.
Before playing, set a budget you can afford to lose and stick to it. If you find yourself chasing losses or playing longer than planned, contact a local responsible gambling service in your region for free, confidential support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the RTP of Elements: The Awakening?
The RTP (Return to Player) of Elements: The Awakening is 96.02%.
What are the bonus features in Elements: The Awakening?
The bonus features in Elements: The Awakening include Free Spins (known as Free Falls), Wilds, Elemental Wilds, and Avalanche Wins.
Can I play Elements: The Awakening on mobile?
Yes, Elements: The Awakening is optimized for mobile play on Android and iOS devices.
Is there a progressive jackpot in Elements: The Awakening?
No, Elements: The Awakening does not have a progressive jackpot. The maximum prize is always the same.
How many free spins can I win in Elements: The Awakening?
Players receive 10 free falls (free spins) after landing four successive avalanche wins.