Avalon X: A New Chapter in the ‘X’ Series
Like eccentric businessman Elon Musk, software provider ELK Studios has a curious fascination with the letter ‘X’. After the success of titles like Pirots X and Katmandu X, the studio has now introduced Avalon X, a mystical upgrade of the Avalon Gold formula. While it keeps the heart of the original, it blends in mechanics from other ELK hits like Propaganda, adding fresh energy with coin wins, Mystery Boxes, and more interactive bonus elements.
A Forgotten World Reimagined
The visual world of Avalon X is deeply atmospheric. Players are transported to a crumbling sanctuary, where stone steps lead nowhere and vines reclaim once-sacred structures. This sense of a civilisation in decline enhances the game’s mystery. The abandoned yet beautiful environment sets a tone that blends reverence and decay, perfectly suiting the legend of Avalon. ELK’s attention to environmental detail gives players a sense of exploring a lost relic that still holds power.
Betting Range and Volatility
Avalon X accommodates a wide audience with bets ranging from €0.20 to €100 per drop. This flexibility ensures casual players and high rollers alike can enjoy the ride. ELK Studios rates the volatility at 7/10, meaning the slot leans towards bigger but less frequent wins. The single RTP setting is 94%, which is below the industry average but balanced by the game’s high-impact features.
Cluster Pays and Avalanche Wins
The action unfolds on a 6×7 grid using a cluster pays mechanic. Wins occur when 5+ symbols connect orthogonally, and winning symbols are removed to allow new ones to drop in—this avalanche process continues as long as fresh wins appear. After each winning cluster, a wild symbol is generated in one of the empty positions. If more than one wild contributes to a cluster, they merge into a multiplier wild, combining their values for even greater payouts.
Pay Symbols and Values
The paytable consists of four low-paying animal icons and four premium knight symbols.
- Clusters of 5 symbols can pay 0.05x–1x the bet for low symbols and 5x–50x for premiums when reaching 16+ OAK clusters.
- Wilds and multiplier wilds substitute for all regular pay symbols.
- Multiplier wilds in a win add their values together before the global multiplier is applied, boosting total payouts.
Global Multiplier: Persistent Power
One of Avalon X’s most thrilling features is the global multiplier.
- Low-value clusters boost it by +1
- High-value clusters boost it by +2
This multiplier persists through an entire avalanche sequence and applies to all cluster wins before resetting at the end of the spin. It’s a key feature for building momentum, especially during bonus rounds where cc6 persistence is extended.
Big Symbols: Crushing Potential
Pay symbols and Mystery Boxes can appear in 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, or 4×4 sizes, counting for the number of positions they occupy. Big symbols that redrop will crush smaller symbols beneath them, except for wilds, scatters, and Mystery Boxes. This mechanic can instantly reshape the grid and open space for larger winning clusters. cc6
Mystery Boxes: The Heart of the Game
Mystery Boxes are pivotal in Avalon X’s gameplay. When 5 or more appear and no more wins occur, they activate to reveal:
- Pay symbols
- Wild symbols
- Special Avalon features
The Avalon features include:
- Coin Values – Instant payouts.
- Collect – Gathers all coin values from visible Mystery Boxes and reactivates already opened ones.
- Redrop – Drops new symbols and reactivates current Mystery Boxes.
- Global Multiplier Spreader – Multiplies a random selection of revealed coin values.
Holy Strike: Random Wild Power
Holy Strike can trigger on any drop, replacing a random number of symbols with wilds, multiplier wilds, or Mystery Boxes. It cannot replace scatters, super scatters, or existing special symbols. This sudden transformation can swing a losing spin into a significant win.
Free Spins & Super Free Spins
Landing 3 scatters grants 7 free spins. In this bonus, the global multiplier and any unopened Mystery Boxes remain persistent between spins.
- Additional scatters grant +2 spins each.
- If triggered with 2 scatters + 1 super scatter, you start Super Free Spins, which guarantee a Holy Strike on every spin.
- Super scatters during regular free spins will upgrade the feature mid-round.
X-iter Bonus Buy Options
Avalon X offers ELK’s X-iter mode with five purchase options:
- Bonus Hunt – 3x bet for triple the chance of triggering the bonus.
- Holy Strike – 25x bet for an instant Holy Strike spin.
- 5 Mystery Boxes – 50x bet.
- Regular Bonus – 100x bet for standard free spins.
- Super Bonus – 500x bet for Super Free Spins with guaranteed Holy Strikes.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Successor
Avalon X doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines ELK’s proven mechanics into a visually captivating, feature-packed slot. The Mystery Boxes remain a highlight, delivering both suspense and potential for massive rewards. While the 94% RTP may deter some, the mix of cluster pays, persistent multipliers, and interactive features ensures the game delivers a cc6 satisfying blend of risk and reward. For fans of ELK’s Gold and X series, this is a worthy addition to the portfolio.
