Thunderstruck has been a staple of the online gaming experience for years. As many will recall, the classic versions had boisterous music, a Norse-themed design, and even an image of Thor in front of the reels. While the new version of the game, Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme, retains much of what made the previous versions successful (the Norse mythology theme, the iconic music), it brings a lot of fresh elements to the table including a variety of Cash Collect mechanics, persistent multipliers, respins and two unique bonus rounds. Created by Stormcraft Studios and distributed via Games Global, the title is geared towards players who prefer fast-paced, risk-based gameplay. The slot utilizes a 6-reel, 4-row layout allowing for 4,096 ways to win rather than a more traditional fixed-payline model. A typical RTP for Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme is around 96% and it has extremely high volatility.

Modernizing a Classic Slot Design

While the core idea of Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme clearly comes from its predecessor, it really represents a meeting of two generations of slot development. Prior versions of Thunderstruck were relatively straightforward compared to today’s more complex designs. Their success was due to their strong Norse mythological theme, catchy music and a few moderately rewarding bonus rounds. Today, players have come to expect more. That means not just wild symbols and free spins, but also other modifiers such as collecting symbols, increasing rewards systems, increasing numbers of respins and buying additional features. To meet these expectations, Stormcraft Studios kept the core look of the classic Thunderstruck titles using the Gold Blitz mechanism.

Therefore, while the title still looks “like” the classic Thunderstruck titles, the true underlying game is much more complex. Once again, Thor is the centerpiece; he surrounds himself with bright blue lighting, electrical storms, runic symbols and metal-like accents. As expected, the visuals are similar enough to identify with earlier versions of the title. However, unlike earlier versions of the title that did not try to reimagine the Norse mythology theme and simply tried to clean up the earlier version’s aesthetic, Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme provides a clean, sharp-looking take on the older version’s design. Additionally, the background provides some nice bursts of electricity along with some small circular motions. 

How Does the Way to Win Feature Work?

In Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme, there are no fixed paylines that make up how many ways to win. Instead, a player can win money by creating a combination of matching symbols from left to right starting on reel one. Most of the time a minimum of three matching symbols are needed to trigger a win. However, as previously mentioned above, certain premium symbols may require less or more than three matches depending upon their associated paytable. By having a dynamic number of ways to win per reel combination, this allows the game developers to create a slot machine with greater flexibility than a 20-25 payline game would normally offer.

A single matching symbol does not necessarily need to be in one specific location; if an adjacent reel contains an additional matching symbol (or multiple) of the same symbol(s), then they may combine as well. It may seem generous that many combinations of matching symbols could potentially lead to a win; however, many winning combinations will yield smaller awards — particularly when lower-value symbols are used. A common occurrence will be seeing multiple symbols connecting and yielding significantly less than a player’s initial wager. The primary benefit of providing 4,096 ways to win is to keep the reel movement consistent. Large winning combinations depend greatly on landing premium symbols that are rewarded with multipliers, gold/cash values or activate bonus modes.

Gameplay Elements & Symbols Used in Gameplay

The base symbol set includes runes or cards that serve as low-paying symbols. Higher-paying symbols include figures related to Norse mythology. Lower-paying symbols account for the vast majority of all wins generated in the base game. Wins from lower-paying symbols can be used to generate momentum for later wins but generally do not sustain a winning streak alone. High-paying symbols are rarer and therefore more valuable. Typically, Thor will be located at the top of the pay-table when combined with all other high-paying symbols. More importantly, however, are the Wild, Scatter, Cash and Collect symbols that enable spins to turn into something larger than a simple win.

Screenshots

Wild Symbols

As stated above, Wild symbols substitute for nearly every other basic paying symbol found within the game. This helps players complete combinations across the reels. Wilds do not usually substitute for special symbols such as Scatters, Cash or Collect symbols.

Free Spin Wild Symbols

When Free Spins are triggered in-game Wilds are considerably more valuable since they can have multipliers attached to them. A Wild symbol can increase a connected win by 2x, 3x or 5x depending on how many multipliers were attached to it and whether other Wilds contributed to the same combination. The key is getting those multipliers on a good win.

Scatter Symbols

As described above Scatter symbols are tied directly to the Bonus Selection feature. When at least three Scatter symbols are landed on screen they unlock the bonus selection menu where you can select either Free Spins or Gold Blitz. Lining up more Scatter symbols will reward you with additional spins or increase your chances at selecting a stronger version of either feature. Therefore Scatter symbol combos worth more than the minimum amount are actually much more valuable than combos worth less than minimum amount.

Cash Symbols

Cash symbols display values equal to your current bet. Depending on how your casino displays this game (whether displaying it as a multiplier of your stake or showing it as an actual dollar value), Cash symbols usually don’t pay out like regular matching symbol combos unless paired with a Collect symbol or utilize correctly in bonus mode.

Collect Symbols

Similar to other types of Collect symbols utilized throughout modern slot machines, this type is specifically designed to gather values displayed on eligible Cash symbols. For example, let’s say four Cash symbols appeared on screen with values of 1x, 2x, 3x and 5x, respectively. If a qualifying Collect symbol lands on screen during that spin those values could be summed together and paid out as an award totaling 11x prior to applying any additional multiplier that may exist. The rules regarding how Collects work varies between base game, respins and Gold Blitz; therefore reading over the pay-table is recommended.

Cash Collect & Respins

Respin mechanisms allow for potential opportunities for Cash and Collect symbols to interact while in base gameplay. Additionally, when respins occur, certain combinations can cause locked-in-place areas on the reels and provide additional chances for Cash or Collect symbols to appear. While this provides a small sense of urgency without needing to enter into a full bonus round; it adds some interest to base game play when otherwise little happens in terms of creating larger wins.

Base Game Cash Values & Rising Rewards

Respins also add to Rising Reward mechanics (depending on whether a version-specific Rising Reward exists). They additionally provide Cash values appearing on reels additional opportunity to become collected by Collects.

While the base game may move slowly at times (especially when fewer-than-premium combinations land and multiple Cash values appear but fail to create collectible cash values); players who appreciate constantly changing modifier values may find the anticipation enjoyable while others may think that too much time spent between reel-spinning activities occurs while anticipating when larger wins may materialize.

Rising rewards bonus multiplier

There is a very unique aspect of the game called the Rising Rewards Bonus Multiplier. the Rising Rewards Bonus Multiplier will increase based upon the qualifying events you experience while playing the base game. Depending on how you play, there could be many ways the rising rewards multiplier is increased (i.e., via your Cash collect activities, jackpot symbols, etc.). Once the rising rewards multiplier has been established, the amount it is increased will help to determine what value of prize will be awarded later in the session. However, unlike some slot mechanics, once a rising rewards multiplier is earned; it is in effect and remains so throughout its use or until it resets per game rules.

This makes the rising rewards multiplier more of a true form of progression than simply collecting rewards. While a simple reward collected at the end of a bonus can be exciting, a bonus can become much more exciting when you have a rising rewards multiplier greater than 1x. For example, if you collect a 20x prize and a rising reward multiplier is applied at 4x, then that same 20x prize would now be worth 80x. It is here where the slot’s various components start working together rather than being just separate “features” for show.

Rising rewards jackpots

In addition to Cash prizes, Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme includes rising-reward style prizes that are considered jackpot-style prizes. These types of jackpot prizes are probably best described as in-game jackpots rather than progressive jackpots (like Mega Moolah). Although they share the name “jackpot”, these types of jackpots are fundamentally different in their operation.

A progressive jackpot grows as bets are placed across a wide variety of connected online casinos, whereas in-game or fixed jackpots grow as stakes are made within the individual slot machine itself or are set prior to entering into the feature. The slot may contain multiple levels of jackpots. Each level may be associated with specific symbols or collected amounts. Collecting the correct combination of symbols may award one of the largest features in the slot.

Beware of progressive jump to conclusion when reading casino descriptions

If you read descriptions about a progressive jackpot slot without a clear explanation of what kind of progressive jackpot it offers, proceed with caution. In all likelihood, the progressive jackpot offered is an internal rising-reward style jackpot and not a shared progressive jackpot pool.

Bonus choice: Free Spins or Gold Blitz

Instead of directly moving into one bonus feature, the slot presents you with a bonus choice: Free Spins or Gold Blitz. Both features are presented differently. Free Spins tend to be more focused on providing traditional reel wins with multiplier Wilds. Gold blitz, however, focuses on Cash collect symbols and collection prizes. What i believe to be one of the nicer aspects of this part of the design is that neither bonus feels identical. Free Spins typically offer a lot more spins and more opportunities to create winning combinations using standard symbol combinations.

Gold Blitz typically provides fewer spins overall but provides a condensed version of the Cash Collect action. While neither bonus affects the randomness of the results, allowing you to pick the type of bonus you want to take can allow you to tailor the bonus to fit your preferences. Some players may prefer longer bonus rounds. Others may prefer quicker Cash collect action. Free Spins may be preferred by those wanting longer bonus rounds. Gold Blitz may be preferred by those wanting quicker direct Cash collect action.

Free Spins feature

The Free Spins feature is the more traditional of the two choices. Wild symbols with multipliers may occur in Free Spins. The multipliers available vary and may be 2x, 3x or 5x. During Free Spins, when a wild symbol contributes to a winning combination its value multiplies by the wild’s multiplier value. Additionally, the rising rewards multiplier may carry over into Free Spins depending on game state and/or bonus rules.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve layered multipliers. Layered multipliers refer to situations in which both a wild multiplier and a persistent bonus multiplier affect a winning combination. That is typically where larger free spin payouts originate.
Cash collect and Cash symbols are either removed or greatly limited in Free Spins. By doing this, the Free Spins bonus gains a cleaner feel than gold blitz. The reels act similarly to a classic thunderstruck bonus but with potentially stronger multiplier effects.

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz extreme RTP and very high Volatility

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme normally appears as being about 96% RTP (return to player). RTP is typically described as the average percentage of money given back to players over a huge amount of spins. Therefore, a 96% RTP doesn’t guarantee you’ll get 96 credits back on every single spin of 100. Results over a few hundred or thousands of spins can fluctuate greatly. There is much more of a visible effect of Volatility in normal gameplay.

Highly volatile games normally bring the following:

• More frequent longer periods between winning big
• Bonus triggers may take some time
• A relatively small level of returns from the base game
• Large variations in the length and quality of sessions
• More reliance on multipliers and bonuses

This game may seem too erratic for most players that like playing steadily, getting their winnings regularly, and seeing their account grow gradually. On the other hand, if you like to wait for bigger Rewards then you may appreciate this way of structuring things.

Max win potential

Typically, the max win is shown to be up to 5,500 times your stake. Although there might be some variance depending on the version and/or region of the game. As an example, a max win potential of 5,500 times your stake @ $1 credit = $5,500.00 credit. Likewise, a max win potential of 5,500 times your stake @ $10 credit = $55,000.00 credit. While the max win looks impressive, max wins in highly volatile slot machines occur extremely rarely. Usually they need either: an unusual combination of Cash symbols, a really high multiplier award or Jackpot prize; or a great premium symbol hit. In comparison to new slot machines which offer max wins ranging from 10,000x up to 20,000x and beyond, 5,500x could be considered less. However, the true appeal lies in how complex all of these mechanics are.

Bet Range & Bankroll management

As typical for most slots, the standard betting range goes from .20 to 50.00 credits/spin. Again, we refer to the fact that the currency itself can vary based on the casino. Because of this high Volatility, your balance can go down rapidly regardless of how little you bet. Also keep in mind that betting at the lowest or middle-low stakes will help you experience when/how often the various feature combinations will come into play. Betting higher won’t increase your chances; however, lowering the bet size increases the duration of your session. You shouldn’t raise bets just because a bonus has not yet occurred. Each spin is completely random. The game cannot “be due” after a losing streak occurs.

Do you think the pace fits your type of player?

Again, playing with Demo credits (or virtual) changes peoples’ perception toward risk taking; as well as creating overly optimistic expectations by experiencing luck in a Demo session.

Mobile play

There is no additional download required for Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme since it was developed using HTML5 technology compatible with modern browsers. This means it should function properly on both Android devices as well as iPhones/ipads/Android tablets. The vertical display is suitable for reading the 6×4 reels horizontally (landscape), providing larger amounts of horizontal space on each reel.

Portrait displays may provide acceptable views, although smaller Cash value amounts can be difficult to see on narrower screens. Most common controls such as bet sizes, audio settings, autoplay options & pay table are located close enough to the center area to be easily reachable via thumbs. The ability to access bet options, sound controls, autoplay options & pay table are located directly from the main game screen. Desktop view allows for more dramatic animation effects; however, mobile gaming does not strip away any key aspects of the game. All elements including Gold Blitz, Free Spins, Respins & the rising reward system remain active.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic thor/Norse mythology theme
• 6×4 reels with 4096 ways to win
• 2 distinct bonus selections
• Cash collect mechanic
• Respin mechanism
• Wild multipliers during Free Spins
• Ongoing rising Rewards multiplier
• Jackpot-style awards
• Lowest and highest stakes available
• Compatible with mobile devices
• Free Demo play available

Cons

• Highly volatile slot machine
• Dry spells in base game may feel long
• Gold Blitz can end quickly without retriggers
• Bonus Buy option may be expensive
• Max wins may not compare well to new high
• Volatility games
• May confuse beginners due to multiple mechanics
• Multiple versions may have different RTP & max wins
• Familiar but not original theme based around Norse gods

Comparison between Thunderstruck games

Thunderstruck II remains the classic version. The base game has been around for a while; and its multiple bonus rounds along with old-school music still draw a lot of fans. Thunderstruck Stormchaser offers a more modern interpretation of the old series featuring different modifiers & stronger emphasis on modern reel mechanics. Thunderstruck Gold Blitz extreme straddles those two concepts. It retains recognizable character/sound from older series while incorporating Cash collect systems from newer slots.

Players who prefer traditional bonus rounds will probably prefer Thunderstruck II. Players who like Cash values / collect symbols / persistent multipliers will likely find much more appeal here.
It is certainly not the best Thunderstruck title for everyone. It is one of the busiest.

Should I play Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme?

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme is ideal for players who enjoy highly volatile games / feature-rich games/bonus ranges with varied structures / Cash collect features. Free Spins provide the more familiar slot format including Multiplier Wilds & possibilities for re-tripping. Gold Blitz provides a tighter & concentrated bonus built upon collection mechanics & Cash values. The rising Rewards system provides a sense of progression, particularly when building up the multiplier before triggering a bonus. That is certainly one of its stronger concepts.

Conversely, the drawbacks are clearly defined too. Returns from base game can vary greatly; Gold Blitz may end too early to become interesting; and Bonus Buy can reduce your bankroll rapidly. The theme also draws heavily upon a character & visual design many players have seen prior. Despite that though, all mechanics work together well. Features are well related parts of one system rather than unrelated additions.

Final Judgment

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme takes an established name and puts it into a more contemporary powerplant. With a 4,096-way reel layout, Cash Collect features, Respins, Rising Rewards multiplier and both bonus selections, you’ll get a lot to watch but don’t lose sight of the classic Thunderstruck nameplate. Free Spins will feel like your typical old school slot choice, while Gold Blitz will give you more rapid, concentrated Cash Collect activity. Although both versions can produce poor performance and the extremely high variance (volatility) demands patience.

If you’re among the fans of Thor-themed slots and/or love to see tons of active features then I think you’ll enjoy playing this game long enough to justify spending time with the demo. On the other hand, if you tend to play games where you consistently receive rewards or are looking for simple rule sets, then this might be difficult for you to play.

FAQs

What is the RTP of Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme?

The standard RTP is usually listed at about 96% and possibly different settings depending upon what casino is using. Also, Bonus Buy may also list its own separate RTP.

Will Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme be considered highly volatile?

Yes. This game is typically categorized as being one of the most volatile slot games out there; as such the wins will likely be larger but the frequency of those wins will probably be smaller and the length of losing streaks will likely be greater.

What is the largest win possible?

This will depend on which casino’s version you’re playing because sometimes the max win amount will vary from casino to casino. However, according to most listings, the max win is normally listed at no more than 5,500 times your bet.

How many reels will this game use?

Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme uses six reels and four rows.

Are there any pay lines?

No, there aren’t. The game allows 4,096 ways to make a winning combination.

Who made Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme?

Stormcraft Studios produced the game and it was released via Games Global.

Does Thunderstruck Gold Blitz Extreme have a Free Spins feature?

Yes. Free Spins is one of your two options for a bonus round and it comes equipped with multiplier wilds and retriggers.

How does Gold Blitz work?

Gold Blitz plays off of the Cash Collect symbols. Each Collect symbol that appears during the spin gathers up all the visible Cash amounts that appear on the screen. Additionally, each retriggered symbol that appears can award additional spins.

What is the Rising Rewards Multiplier?

A persistent multiplier that rises when specific in-game events occur and applies to certain prizes.