Big Bass Keeping it Reel Slot Review

Overview

Big Bass Bonanza - Keeping It Reel is a 5 reel, 3 row video slot featuring 10 fixed paylines. The default RTP is 96.07%, and it's a highly volatile game with a max payout of 10,000x the stake. Reel Kingdom didn't change the visual theme at all, using the same bright and friendly underwater world with the bearded fisherman cheering you on. Up to 250 can be wagered per spin.

Wins occur in the base game by landing 3+ matching symbols from left to right starting on the leftmost reel. The lower paying symbols are the standard 10 to A royals, while fish, tackle boxes, rods and floats make up the higher rewards. 5 of a kind combos pay from 5x to 200x your bet.

The wild and golden wild are only present during free spins. They substitute for all regular symbols except the scatter. Free spins are triggered by landing 3 or more scatters, represented by a fish jumping from the water.

During free spins, fish symbols display random cash values. These are awarded instantly if they land together with a wild or golden wild. Otherwise, the values accumulate above the reels in a prize net. On each spin, a fish escapes and removes its value from the total. The golden wild collects the cumulative value when hitting in addition to the values of fish symbols on that spin.

As an alternative, players can choose to activate the Ante Bet or purchase free spins directly.

My Thoughts Overall

I've played every installment in the Big Bass Bonanza series, so I came in with certain expectations. Keeping It Reel met most of them but didn't really go above and beyond.

On the plus side, the base gameplay remains enjoyable. I like how all the slots share a similar vibe, creating a cohesive universe centered around our bearded fisherman buddy. It puts a smile on my face every time he appears on screen, proudly showing off his catch.

The new elements added to the free spins round in Keeping It Reel are cool, like the prize net collecting fish values when no wild lands. And being able to buy the bonus round is always appreciated.

That said, I was hoping for more innovation in this latest chapter. The formula is starting to feel repetitive. Some fresh ideas could have elevated this slot and made it truly stand out.

Ultimately, Big Bass Bonanza - Keeping It Reel succeeds as an incremental upgrade rather than a revolutionary step forward. Reel Kingdom knows they have a winning blueprint, so they haven't strayed too far from it.

Hardcore fans will be happy. But those seeking something completely new may want to cast their line elsewhere.

Bonus Features

Free Spins

• Triggered by landing 3 or more scatters (fish symbols)
• 10 free spins for 3 scatters, 15 for 4, 20 for 5
• Hook feature can add 3rd scatter if only 2 land in base game
• Fish symbols display cash values that are awarded instantly with wilds/golden wilds
• Otherwise, fish values accumulate above reels in prize net
• Random fish escapes on each spin, removing its value from total
• Golden wild collects reel values + total accumulated prize net value
• Collecting 4 wilds/golden wilds retriggers +10 spins up to 3 times total
  • 1st retrigger - fish values x2
  • 2nd retrigger - fish values x3
  • 3rd retrigger - fish values x10
• Max possible free spins: 20 initial + 30 retriggers = 50 total

Ante Bet

• Located to the left of reels
• Increases bet by 50%
• Adds more scatter symbols to reels
• Doesn't change base game pays or RTP

Buy Feature

• Purchase entry to free spins round
• Costs 100x current bet amount
• Randomly awards 3, 4 or 5 scatters to trigger

Win Potential

Big Bass Bonanza - Keeping It Reel has a default RTP of 96.07% and high volatility. Two lower RTP versions are also available at 95.07% and 94.07% for operators to choose from. It's always recommended to look for the 96.07% RTP when possible.

The maximum win cap is an impressive 10,000x your stake. Hitting this likely requires a perfect storm during free spins:

• Max 20 initial free spins
• Full retriggers adding +30 more spins
• Hitting golden wilds to collect max fish values
• Reaching the final 10x multiplier for all fish values

Even if you don't hit the full potential, the retriggering spins and increasing multipliers can lead to big wins. Just don't expect them to hit very often. The volatility is quite high, so you may experience a lot of dead spins between wins. Have a sufficient bankroll and bet sensibly.

In the base game, the pays are more modest. Landing 5 of a kind pays between 10x to 200x your bet depending on the symbol. The bonus round is the best chance to line up a big bass payday.

Verdict

Big Bass Bonanza - Keeping It Reel is a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This sequel recycles much of what made the original slot (and its successors) a hit, while sprinkling in some new elements to keep things interesting. For diehard fans of the series, it's an easy thumbs up.

That said, those seeking a dramatically new gaming experience may leave disappointed. Aside from minor tweaks, this adheres closely to the classic Big Bass Bonanza formula. Innovation plays second fiddle to iteration.

Nevertheless, the bonus features bring decent rewards, and the ceiling on win potential hits impressive heights. Graphically and audibly, everything remains top-notch. Gameplay stays fast-paced and engaging.

So while Keeping It Reel doesn't reinvent the wheel, it delivers another fun, rewarding fishing adventure alongside a familiar bearded friend. I'd tag it as a modest win for Reel Kingdom, albeit not their most creative achievement.

In closing, if you crave more of the same lighthearted fishing action that made Big Bass Bonanza a hit, drop your line into Keeping It Reel. Just don't expect any huge leaps from the original blueprint. This sequel casts a small net of refinements to an already successful recipe.