Ice hockey themed slot machines are few and far between, especially when compared to slots based on football or basketball.
Which is what makes Break Away by Microgaming a breath of fresh air.
Released back in 2012, Break Away quickly became an instant hit in online casinos all over the world. 2019 saw the release of the game’s sequel, Break Away Deluxe, which came equipped with new bonus features.
In Break Away, hockey slot fans will find everything to enjoy their time spinning the reels. Stacked symbols, cascading spins, and lucrative bonus rounds.
Let’s take a closer look and see what Break Away has to offer.
Break Away Stats & Features
The ice hockey-themed slot machine features five reels and a total of 243 possible winning combinations. The game has not licensed any NHL or KHL team names, so we are instead treated to a generic hockey theme.
The return to player (RTP) rate of this slot is set at a rather lucrative 96.29%. The pay table is dynamic and the indicators change depending on the selected bet size. The minimum spin value is 0.5 credits, while the limit is set at 50 credits in the currency of the online casino.
Rolling Reels Feature
Aside from the ice hockey theme, the secret to the slot’s popularity lies in the implementation of the mechanism of cascading spins. A similar function is available in Fruit Case from NetEnt and Hot Gems from Playtech. The Microgaming version of this mechanic is branded as Rolling Reels.
Rolling Reels enter the ice every time a prize chain appears. The symbols in the winning combinations are scattered with icy splashes, and new ones appear in their place. Thus, each successful chain starts at least one more additional spin, which, in turn, increases the chances of receiving additional payments.
Symbols
In the center of the ice, you’ll find two ice hockey teams battling it out.
The drums with images of players and the hockey players stand out brightly against the white background.
Animated symbols are spectacularly scattered by ice shards when composing combos. Hockey players periodically sweep across the playing field. The process is accompanied by sound effects designed to create the feeling of being in a real stadium. The sound of sticks, referee whistles, and the shouts of the fans.
The lowest-paying symbols in the game take the shape of indispensable attributes of a hockey game: the Zamboni ice resurfaces, skates, a face shield, and the ice itself.
More high-paying symbols depict the members of the opposing teams, the goalkeeper, and the referee.
The highest-paid pictogram is a hockey player in a red uniform.
Smashing Wild
One of the most interesting features of the game is the Smashing Wild bonus feature.
Animated hockey players randomly appear on the playing field and the second, third or fourth reel is completely filled with a folded wild, which increases the player’s chances of winnings.
However, the combinations that appear as a result of using the random prize function do not trigger respins.
Pros and Cons
The Break Away slot machine has been a staple in the TonyBet slots library, as well as the game catalogs of hundreds of other online sportsbooks and casinos. The game enjoys popularity despite the absence of a full-fledged bonus game or any form of jackpot.
The advantages of the slot include re-spins after each winning combination. Other than that, the ice hockey theme and high return-to-play percentage is the slot’s only saving grace.
Can’t decide if Break Away is worth your time?
The developer has provided a demo mode in which you can play the Break Away slot machine for free and, in many cases, even without having to register an account at the online casino.
This is good news for casual players as you can see if you like the slot without having to pay a single penny.
