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HippoPop Game Attributes

HippoPop Slot Review

HippoPop is a video slot developed by AvatarUX Studios, released in May 2021. This game features a 5x3 reel layout and offers 486 ways to win, with wins counted both ways. The slot stands out with its high volatility and an RTP of 96.1%, making it suitable for players who prefer a higher-risk gameplay style with the potential for substantial rewards. HippoPop incorporates several engaging features, including the PopWins mechanic, multipliers, free spins, and a bonus wheel, all set within a vibrant wildlife theme inspired by Oaxacan arts and Alebrijes visions.

Game Theme and Visuals

HippoPop embraces a colorful jungle atmosphere, drawing artistic inspiration from traditional Oaxacan motifs and the imaginative Alebrijes creatures. The design is bright and polished, with detailed symbols that reflect the wildlife theme. This artistic direction creates a visually appealing environment that complements the dynamic gameplay mechanics. The symbols themselves are crafted to fit the theme, with the golden Hippo standing out as the highest-paying symbol.

Gameplay Layout and Mechanics

The base game of HippoPop starts on a 5x3 grid with 486 ways to win, considering both left-to-right and right-to-left paylines. A key feature of the slot is the PopWins mechanic, which significantly alters the reel layout during play. When a winning combination occurs, the winning symbols pop and are replaced by two new symbols, causing the grid to expand vertically. This expansion increases the number of rows from 3 up to 6 in the base game, boosting the number of ways to win from 486 to as many as 15,552.

Once the grid reaches its maximum size of 5x6 in the base game, a progressive multiplier activates, starting at 1x and increasing by 1 with each subsequent PopWin. This multiplier applies to all wins and carries over into the bonus round, enhancing the potential payouts further. The grid resets to the shortest row count achieved when the PopWin sequence ends, maintaining a balance between expansion and gameplay flow.

Symbols and Payouts

HippoPop does not include traditional wild or scatter symbols. Instead, the golden Hippo acts as the highest-paying symbol. In the base game, landing five golden Hippos pays 4 times the stake. The payout structure evolves in the bonus round, where the golden Hippo’s multiplier increases depending on the number of rows on the expanded grid—ranging from 2x at 6 rows up to 4x at 8 rows. This scaling payout system adds depth to the gameplay, rewarding players for triggering and maintaining larger grid sizes.

Bonus Features and Free Spins

The bonus round in HippoPop is triggered by expanding the base game grid to its maximum size of 5x6 rows. Upon activation, players receive 5 free spins on a 5x3 grid, which can expand up to 5x8 rows during the bonus round, increasing the number of ways to win up to 65,536 when counting both ways. The PopWins mechanic remains active in the bonus round, with the progressive multiplier continuing to increase by 1 with each PopWin. This multiplier does not reset between spins, allowing for potentially large wins as the multiplier stacks.

An additional feature in the bonus round is the awarding of extra spins. Fully expanded reels grant +2 extra spins each, extending the duration of the bonus round. Players can also gamble up to three times on a bonus wheel to increase the number of free spins from the initial 5 up to 12, though there is a risk of losing the feature during this process. The wheel mainly awards +2 extra spins, with some segments offering +4 or +5 spins, adding an element of choice and risk management to the bonus gameplay.

Betting Range and RTP

HippoPop accommodates a range of betting preferences with a minimum bet of £0.20 and a maximum bet of £40 per spin. The slot’s RTP is set at 96.1%, which is within the average range for video slots, paired with high volatility that suggests less frequent but potentially larger wins. The maximum win multiplier reaches up to 48,150 times the stake, emphasizing the slot’s capacity for significant payouts during peak gameplay moments.

Players interested in accessing the bonus round quickly can purchase it for 85 times the total stake, except in UK jurisdictions where this feature is restricted. The bonus buy option starts with 5 free spins and a multiplier between 2x and 4x, and players can gamble this feature up to 9 times to increase spins and multipliers, although this carries the risk of losing the bonus.

Additional Gameplay Details

The PopWins mechanic is central to HippoPop’s gameplay, as it dynamically expands the reel set and increases paylines with every winning combination. This mechanic continues until no further wins are generated in a sequence. The Win-Both-Ways feature doubles the value of 5-of-a-kind wins, enhancing the payout potential. The progressive multiplier, which activates at maximum grid size in the base game, adds a layer of increasing reward that persists into the bonus round.

The grid expansion and multiplier behavior differ between the base game and the bonus round, with the bonus round offering more rows and additional spins tied to full reel expansions. This combination of expanding reels, multipliers, and extra spins creates a gameplay loop that encourages players to aim for maximum grid size and extended bonus rounds.

Demo Mode and Availability

HippoPop is available to play in free demo mode on our website freedemo.games, allowing players to explore the game mechanics and features without risking real money. This demo mode is a practical way to familiarize oneself with the PopWins mechanic, multipliers, and bonus rounds before playing with actual stakes. Additionally, HippoPop can be downloaded for free or integrated into websites through widgets, plugins, or APIs, making it accessible for various platforms and player preferences.

Conclusion

HippoPop by AvatarUX Studios offers a high-volatility video slot experience with a distinctive PopWins mechanic that expands the reel set and paylines dynamically. The game’s jungle theme, inspired by Oaxacan art, provides a colorful backdrop for gameplay that includes multipliers, free spins, and a bonus wheel. With an RTP of 96.1% and a maximum win potential of 48,150 times the stake, HippoPop presents a gameplay structure designed for players who appreciate complex mechanics and the possibility of large payouts. The availability of a free demo mode and bonus buy option adds flexibility for different player types and preferences.