Game Overview
Avantgarde is a high-end casino slot game developed by industry-leading provider NetEnt. This game takes players on an artistic journey through the avant-garde movement, offering a visually stunning experience that combines innovative design with thrilling gameplay features.
Theme and Design
The game’s theme revolves around the concept of innovation and creativity in art, set against a backdrop of modern urban landscapes. The reels are framed by sleek lines and metallic accents, giving players an immersive 3D experience. Avantgarde features five reels, three rows, and win big twenty fixed paylines.
Symbols
Avantgarde’s symbol selection is a thoughtful representation of the game’s theme:
- Low-paying symbols include four card suits (A, K, Q, J) in bright, modern colors.
- Medium-paying symbols showcase an abstract art piece, an artist at work on canvas, and a camera capturing street art.
- High-paying symbols take players deeper into the avant-garde world with images of graffiti artists, iconic landmarks from Parisian cityscapes, and an image representing the fusion of classic painting techniques with modern technology.
Payouts
Payline wins are based on combinations of two or more matching symbols. Players can earn between 0.2x and up to 20x their stake for certain medium-paying symbol combinations, while high-paying symbols offer rewards ranging from 5x to a maximum of 1,000x the player’s bet.
Wilds
The Art Piece scatter serves as a substitute wild, replacing all regular symbols except the Art Gallery bonus. Wild substitutions occur when two or more matching base game symbols appear on adjacent reels.
Scatters
There are two types of scatters in Avantgarde:
- Art Piece (scatter): triggers free spins and appears stacked on reels 2-5.
- Art Gallery: activates the bonus round, providing a unique gaming experience with higher win potential.
Bonus Features
Avantgarde offers several innovative features that enhance player engagement:
- Free Spins:
- Land three or more Art Piece scatters to trigger ten free spins.
- Three additional scatters grant two extra spins and four extra Art Pieces on the reels.
- Stacked Wilds:
- Two stacked wilds (Art Piece) offer an 8x multiplier for winning combinations.
- Expanding Wilds:
- A single expanding wild expands across a complete reel, improving chances of securing wins.
RTP and Volatility
Avantgarde has a theoretical Return to Player percentage of 96.1%, with medium-high volatility levels offering frequent payouts but also potentially larger gaps between winning combinations.
Betting Range and Max Win
Avantgarde accommodates various bet sizes, ranging from £0.10 to £200 per spin. The maximum win for any single spin is capped at a generous £50,000 (25 times the total stake).
Gameplay
The gameplay in Avantgarde is smooth, with seamless animations between game state changes and no noticeable lag during fast-paced free spins.
Mobile Play
As expected from NetEnt’s modern portfolio, Avantgarde can be enjoyed on both Android and iOS devices without sacrificing features or visual fidelity. This ensures an uninterrupted experience for mobile gamers.
Player Experience
The overall player experience in Avantgarde is well-rounded:
- High-end visuals: Combining sleek design with artistic flair creates an immersive atmosphere that immerses players.
- Engaging gameplay mechanics: From the art-filled scatters and bonus features to stacked and expanding wilds, there’s ample opportunity for variety.
However, as seen across various slot titles in this genre, Avantgarde falls short of truly exceptional achievements when comparing its mechanics. Players looking for a unique experience with some interesting feature integration will appreciate this title; however, those preferring more straightforward slots may prefer other options from the same provider or others within their portfolio.
Analysis
With numerous features designed to appeal to high-rollers and casual players alike, Avantgarde represents an excellent example of modern casino slot development. Although lacking a few innovative twists found in recent titles by NetEnt (the likes of 108 Heroes Multiplier Fortunes) or other developers, it remains one of the standout slots across its portfolio.
Overall
Avantgarde is a sophisticated and visually appealing experience that combines an engaging gameplay style with generous payouts potential. Its numerous features cater to both high-risk players seeking large wins and more cautious individuals looking for consistent returns. NetEnt’s decision to release this slot showcases their dedication to pushing the boundaries of what casino games can offer, even if some might argue that they stopped just a bit short from true innovation.
Avantgarde may not single-handedly change the world of gaming; however, it does serve as an example for modern slots by presenting players with diverse gameplay mechanics in line with industry trends. While there are few standout features and no truly unique selling points beyond NetEnt’s commitment to its own proprietary engine (NetEnt Touch), this slot undoubtedly shines when compared against competitors.