Storm into Action with Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme – Feature Breakdown

Ever since Microgaming’s Thunderstruck came out 24 years ago, there have been four sequels. It’s time to introduce the fifth release in the epic franchise that gets special powers in the form of Gold Blitz™ Extreme. The slot’s developed by the same legendary folks at the South African Stormcraft Studios but now in cooperation with Fortune Factory whom they borrowed the popular mechanic. Even if all of this sounds like gibeerish to you, it’s arguably one of the best games released this year. Actually, as of writing this, it will come out across Games Global casinos on October 31, 2024. Let’s give you a quick tour!

Gameplay and Features

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme has similar graphics to the 2022’s Thunderstruck Stormchaser, in the most positive sense. There are now 4096 ways to win, which is the highest this franchise has ever had. The max exposure is 5,500x the bet, which is almost three times less than Thunderstruck Wild Lightning and even significantly less than Thunderstruck 2, which got updated graphics in 2020 and has a Mega Moolah version to boot.

But it’s not all about the max win, is it? The hit rate is much higher and now more in line with the original two releases. Statistically, it’s as much as 1/3 higher than Wild Lightning and Stormchaser. Volatility though, is very high: seemingly the highest of the franchise. This can also be seen from its many blitzing features.

Bonus Features

Collect Feature

The Collect feature is triggered when a Collect symbol appears on reels 1 and 6, alongside Cash symbols anywhere on the reels. In the base game, Cash symbols award payouts ranging from 0.2x to 20x your bet, while in the Gold Blitz feature, these payouts can reach up to 100x. Each Collect symbol awards all visible Cash symbols, creating significant win potential.

Respin Feature

If Collect symbols land on reels 1 and 6 without any Cash symbols, you’ll be awarded a free respin. During this feature, reels 1 and 6 remain locked while reels 2 to 5 respin, guaranteeing at least one Cash symbol.

Symbol Payouts

High-paying symbols feature iconic characters from Norse mythology:

• Thor is the top-paying symbol, awarding up to 6.50x your bet for six symbols.
• Other premium symbols include fiery and earth-themed symbols, which can pay up to 2.60x your bet for six.

Low-paying symbols are carved rune stones, with payouts ranging from 0.60x to 1.40x for six-of-a-kind.

Bonus Choice

Landing 3 or more Scatter symbols awards a Bonus Choice, allowing players to choose between two modes:

• Free Spins: Depending on the number of Scatters, you can win 8, 12, 20, or 30 Free Spins. Wild Multipliers of 2x, 3x, or 5x apply during Free Spins, boosting wins when Wilds are part of a combination. The Bonus Multiplier (see below) also applies to all wins during this mode. Scatter symbols can retrigger additional Free Spins.
• Gold Blitz Spins: In this mode, only Cash, Collect, Collect Retrigger, and Retrigger symbols appear. Each Collect symbol guarantees payouts for any landed Cash symbols, and Retrigger symbols award extra Gold Blitz spins. During the 2—7 spins, Collect symbols are guaranteed on reel 1, with additional Collect symbols potentially appearing on reel 6. Cash symbols in Gold Blitz can have higher payouts than in the base game, with frequent opportunities to collect large rewards.

Bonus Multiplier

The Bonus Multiplier can increase during the base game and applies to all wins during the Free Spins or Gold Blitz features. The multiplier increases by 0.5x when 2 Bonus Scatters land without triggering the Bonus Choice, with a maximum of 5x. This multiplier resets to 1x after completing a bonus feature but may randomly increase by 0.5x or 1x in the base game.

Bonus Buy

For those who prefer direct access to bonus features, the Bonus Buy option allows you to purchase entry into either Free Spins or Gold Blitz mode. The cost of the feature scales with your current bet and the number of Scatter symbols, allowing you to choose between 8 to 30 Free Spins or 2 to 7 Gold Blitz spins.

Rising Rewards Jackpot Feature

The Rising Rewards Jackpot feature adds an exciting progressive element. Each time a Cash symbol lands without being collected, it contributes to increasing one of the four jackpots: Mega, Major, Minor, or Mini. The Mega Jackpot starts at €1,000 (and can reach €2,500), while other jackpots offer scaled rewards. These jackpots can trigger randomly in the base game, with each Cash symbol contributing between 0.1x and 1x to the jackpot.

Final Thoughts

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme offers a compelling mix of dynamic features, including the Collect feature, progressive jackpots, and customizable bonus modes. With 4,096 ways to win and the potential for significant payouts through Wild Multipliers and the Rising Rewards Jackpot, this game is perfect for players who enjoy high-volatility slots but who can also live with a smaller win potential. Whether you choose Free Spins or the Gold Blitz mode, Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme delivers an exciting, action-packed experience from start to finish.