English horror stories have captivated people all over the world for decades. There is just something about quiet English villages, country mansions and foggy nights that lends itself perfectly to any tale concerning ghostly and malevolent forces, and whilst the same tales could be told in other settings, for some strange reason they wouldn’t feel quite as unsettling.
For any online slots player who enjoys this genre of stories, books and movies, A Dark Matter is a must-play title that ticks all the boxes you would hope for. Developed exclusively for Microgaming by Slingshot Studios, this game takes place in the quiet town of Stonehurst, where several residents have mysteriously disappeared. The situation has come to the attention of Nathan Highmore, who is a paranormal investigator for Scotland Yard, and it is Nathan who you will join in his quest to get to the bottom of what is happening.
Enter the Gates of Wraith Manor
Your adventure begins at the wrought-iron gates of an imposing country house called Wraith Manor. It is night, with only the light of the moon and one illuminated window of the manor proving a glimmer of hope in an environment that feels strangely menacing. Much of the game takes place here, with the five reels of the slot being presented between the two gate pillars.
The symbols used in this game have a retrospective style which perfectly captures the essence of the traditional English ghost story. They include the playing card ranks of 10, J, Q, K and A – all of which have Victorian-era curls – several characters, including Nathan Highmore, A Dark Matter logo, which is wild, and a heavy brass door knocker, which is a scatter.
A haunting soundtrack plays throughout the game, and the tempo changes nicely to reflect the action on screen. This helps to build a very good sense of anticipation as well as get the adrenaline pumping when things start happening.
Invading Wilds Feature
The logo symbol of A Dark Matter only appears on the second, third and fourth reels. When a full stack of wilds appears on the second or fourth reel, it will ‘invade’ the third reel too to give you a nice block of six wild symbols. Get a full stack of wilds on both the second and fourth reels and the invasion of the third reel will give you an even better block of nine wilds, which increases the winning potential even more.
A Dark Matter Free Spins Feature
As good as the Invading Wilds feature is, the main Free Spins feature is even better. This can be triggered by getting three door knocker symbols on the reels at the same time, and will give you twelve free spins. These will be played in Wraith Manor itself, and you will earn an additional free spin for every door knocker symbol that appears on the reels during this part of the game, with no limit on the maximum number of free spins that can be had. As if that wasn’t enough, any wins landed from free spins will be doubled in value.
A Truly Theatrical Experience
‘We are very excited about A Dark Matter’s release!’ said Richard Vermaak, who is Head of Studio at Slingshot Studios. ‘The entire team has invested a lot in crafting a rich world for players to enjoy. They have created something beautiful, with arresting character portrayals and a musical score as lavish as Wraith Manor itself. Our aim was to create a truly theatrical experience coupled with high-volatility gameplay, establishing enough intrigue to whet players’ appetites without revealing too much early on. We can’t wait for players to explore A Dark Matter.’
James Buchanan, who is Director of Global Operations at Microgaming, was similarly enthusiastic in his praise for this horror-themed title.
‘Slingshot Studios have successfully created a high volatility slot experience with an engaging storyline, intricate artwork and atmospheric sounds,’ he said. ‘The addition of Invading Wilds and bidirectional paylines offer an exciting and rewarding gameplay experience, with win potential of up to 2,400x the player’s bet during free spins.’
Explore the Dark Side
A Dark Matter is a superbly executed game with a satisfyingly detailed backstory. Fans of the English horror genre, which plays heavily on suspense and atmosphere, will be delighted with the way in which this slot has managed to incorporate the very same elements. Play in the dark with the volume turned up if you dare!
A Dark Matter can be played at LeoVegas and other Microgaming venues.
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