Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is a 2017 Yggdrasil slot set in an Egyptian temple, with Horus and Anubis statues guarding a 5×5 grid. It has no free spins, no scatters and no wilds. Instead, every winning spin triggers a respin, and each winning symbol sends a scarab to destroy one of 12 golden blockers. Clearing the grid opens all 3,125 ways and starts two collections: blue scarabs build a win multiplier, red scarabs add extra lives. The rules list a 96.2% RTP, and Yggdrasil rates the game as high volatility.
This review is based on the paytable and rules screens of Yggdrasil’s official demo. It explains the blocker mechanic, how multipliers and lives are earned and spent, what the paytable pays and how to size a session.
Where to Play Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is available at casinos that carry Yggdrasil games. The casinos below accept Australian players and are reviewed on BetsAuthority. Check the “Return to player” section of the game rules at your casino before you play.
Quick Facts About Valley of the Gods
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot | Valley of the Gods |
| Provider | Yggdrasil |
| Release | August 2017 |
| Layout | 5 reels / 5 rows |
| Ways to win | 45 to 3,125, depending on blockers |
| RTP | 96.2% |
| Volatility | High (Yggdrasil) |
| Bet | 25 coins per spin; stake set by coin value |
| Top symbol | Horus and Anubis, 20x the bet for 5 of a kind |
| Maximum win | EUR 580,000 (Yggdrasil game page) |
| Features | Respins, destroying blockers, win multiplier, extra lives |
| Free spins / wilds / scatters | None |
How Valley of the Gods Works
The game has 10 regular symbols. Wins need 3 or more of the same symbol on consecutive reels from the left, in any row. If a reel holds more than one copy of the winning symbol, the win is multiplied by the count on each reel – two on reel 1, three on reel 2 and two on reel 3 give a 2 x 3 x 2 = 12 multiplier for that symbol. Only the highest combination per symbol pays.
The four high-pay symbols are gods. Horus and Anubis pay 30.00 for five at a 1.50 stake, which is 20x the bet; the two goddess symbols pay 10x. The six hieroglyph symbols pay between 1x and 1.6x the bet for five. Because one symbol can win across many ways at once, the line values understate what a full grid can pay.
Respins and Destroying Blockers
Every paid spin starts with 12 blockers – golden tiles marked with a scarab – covering the outer positions of the grid. With all of them in place the game offers 45 ways. Any spin with a winning combination awards a respin at the same bet, and respins continue as long as each one wins.
Each winning symbol releases a golden scarab that destroys one blocker, opening that position and adding ways. The ways counter on the panel tracks progress up to 3,125. When the sequence ends, the total is paid and the 12 blockers return to the same positions for the next spin.
Win Multiplier and Extra Lives
Destroying all 12 blockers activates both scarab collections at once: the win multiplier starts at x2 and you receive 1 extra life. From then on, winning symbols release coloured scarabs instead of golden ones.
- Blue scarabs come from winning blue, teal or green symbols. Every 5 collected add +1 to the multiplier. A new multiplier level applies from the next respin, not to the spin that earned it.
- Red scarabs come from winning red, orange, purple or pink symbols. Every 5 collected add 1 extra life.
- A life grants a respin after a losing respin and is used up when it does. The sequence ends when a respin loses and no lives remain.
In our demo session at a 1.50 stake, the grid was cleared on spin 13; one respin with the x2 multiplier paid 45.00 (30x the bet), blue scarabs then raised the multiplier to x3, and the sequence ended at 53.52 – about 36x the stake. Most other spins in the 30-spin sample ended after zero or one respin.
RTP and Maximum Win
The rules state an overall theoretical return to player of 96.2%, matching Yggdrasil’s game page. The studio lists the maximum win as EUR 580,000 rather than as a multiple of the bet, so the effective cap depends on the stake and the casino’s configuration. Check both in the rules at your casino.
Worked Example: Ways and the Multiplier
Suppose all blockers are gone, the multiplier is x2, and Horus lands once on reel 1, twice on reel 2 and once on reel 3. That is a 3-of-a-kind paying 2x the bet, multiplied by 1 x 2 x 1 = 2 for symbol count, then by the x2 win multiplier: 8x the bet. If the same respin also produces 5 blue scarabs, the next respin uses x3. Each step in a long sequence therefore pays more than the last, which is how a single paid spin can reach a large result.
A Respin Sequence Step by Step
- You pay for a spin with 12 blockers in place and 45 ways active.
- If the spin wins, the win is added to the round total and each winning symbol destroys one blocker. A respin follows at no extra cost.
- Respins repeat while they keep winning. Without a win and without lives, the sequence ends and the total is paid.
- When the 12th blocker falls, all 3,125 ways are open, the multiplier becomes x2 and you hold 1 life.
- Further wins collect blue and red scarabs: 5 blue add +1 multiplier from the next respin, 5 red add 1 life.
- A losing respin uses a life instead of ending the sequence. When lives run out, the next losing respin ends it and the blockers return.
The key point for session planning is that steps 4 to 6 are where the game pays its larger amounts, and reaching step 4 requires at least 12 winning symbols across consecutive respins without a single losing one.
Bankroll Tips for Valley of the Gods
- Most spins end with 45 ways and no respin; budget for at least 250 spins per session.
- Clearing all 12 blockers is uncommon, and only then do multipliers and lives start.
- The bet is fixed at 25 coins; adjust the stake through the coin value only.
- There is no bonus buy, so session cost is predictable per spin.
- Set loss and time limits beforehand and use your casino’s deposit limits.
Pros and Cons of Valley of the Gods
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Respin mechanic with visible progress (45 to 3,125 ways) | No free spins, wilds or scatters |
| Uncapped multiplier growth from blue scarabs | Multipliers only start after all 12 blockers are destroyed |
| Extra lives extend long sequences | Most spins end immediately with 45 ways |
| 96.2% RTP confirmed in the rules | Max win stated in euros, not as a bet multiple |
| Official free demo | High volatility |
Demo Play vs Real Money
The demo on this page is Yggdrasil’s official launcher with play money and the same rules as the real game. Use it to see how often the grid is cleared and how long sequences run once multipliers and lives are active.
For real money, choose a licensed casino that shows the RTP in the game rules, pays out after verification without delays and offers deposit limits and time-outs. Our casino reviews compare these points.
Frequently Asked Questions
The game rules state an overall theoretical return to player of 96.2%. Yggdrasil also lists 96.2% on its game page.
No. There are no scatters, wilds or free spins. The feature is a respin sequence: every winning spin awards a respin, and wins destroy blockers to open more ways.
Between 45 and 3,125. Twelve scarab blockers cover reel positions at the start of each paid spin; with all of them destroyed, the 5×5 grid offers 3,125 ways.
Once all blockers are gone, you get a x2 multiplier and 1 extra life. After that, every 5 blue scarabs add +1 to the multiplier and every 5 red scarabs add 1 life. A life gives a respin after a losing respin.
Yggdrasil’s game page lists a maximum win of EUR 580,000. It does not state the cap as a multiple of the bet.
Yes. The demo on this page is Yggdrasil’s official demo launcher and uses play money with the same rules as the real game.
Responsible Gaming Note
Valley of the Gods is entertainment with a cost. Only play if you are 18 or older, set a budget and a time limit before you start and stop when you reach them. Free and confidential support is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Final Verdict
Valley of the Gods replaces the usual free spins round with a respin sequence that can run for many steps: wins destroy blockers, a cleared grid opens 3,125 ways, and scarab collections add multipliers and lives. The 96.2% RTP is in line with the market, and the high volatility comes from how rarely the grid is fully cleared. Try the demo to judge the pacing before playing for real.
