Gameplay Features and Mechanics
Owl Eyes is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot game with 50 pay
lines. The game awards prizes for winning combinations from left
to right on any pay line, paying only the highest possible prize
per line. There are two special symbols in the game, a Wild and
a Scatter symbol. All winning combinations pay prizes in
multiples of the active bet per line. Except where noted below
all the symbols pulsate on tiles that contribute to winning
combinations.
Wild Symbol
The Owl is the game’s Wild symbol. It substitutes for all
other symbols except the Scatter and doubles any prize for which
it contributes to a winning combination. The Wild owl may appear
singly or in stacks on reels 2, 3, and 4. Each owl tile that
contributes to a winning combination on a valid pay line plays a
little animation in which the view of the owl recedes and fades
into a shot of the owl flying into the night against a bright
moon.
Scatter Symbol
The Scatter symbol is the full moon. When three or more of
these symbols appear on the screen they trigger the Free Spins
bonus game and then whirl to reveal a dark spot that makes them
appear to be similar to the eyes of an owl. Three Scatter
symbols pay 5 times the total bet; four Scatter symbols pay 20
times the total bet; five Scatter symbols pay 100 times the
total bet.
Other Symbols
The Enchanted Tree
This symbol is the game’s highest
value symbol, paying 25 times bet per line per pay line for
3 symbols in a winning combination, 100 times bet per line
for 4 symbols, and 1000 times bet per line for 5 symbols.
The Badger
Pays 25 times bet per line per pay line for
3 symbols in a winning combination, 60 times bet per line
for 4 symbols, and 800 times bet per line for 5 symbols.
The Mushrooms
Pay 20 times bet per line for 3 symbols
in a winning combination, 50 times bet per line for 4
symbols, and 600 times bet per line for 5 symbols.
The Owl Feather
Pays 20 times bet per line for 3
symbols in a winning combination, 40 times bet per line for
4 symbols, and 500 times bet per line for 5 symbols.
The “A” and “K”
These symbols both pay 15 times bet
per line for 3 symbols in a winning combination, 30 times
bet per line 4 symbols in a winning combination, and 200
times bet per line for a 5-symbol winning combination.
The “Q” and “J”
These symbols pay 10 times bet per
line for a 3-symbol winning combination, 25 times bet per
line for a 4-symbol combination, and 100 times bet per line
for a 5-symbol combination.
The “10” and “9”
These symbols pay 5 times bet per line
for a 3-symbol winning combination, 10 times bet per line
for a 4-symbol combination, and 75 times bet per line for a
5-symbol combination.
Widgets & Controls
Game widgets and controls are position both above and below
the screen playing area with the 5 reels. Above the top
left-hand corner of the reels is the Total Bet window, which
shows exactly how much (in currency) you pay for each spin. This
is the amount deducted from your Balance per spin. The Balance
is displayed above the top right-hand corner of the reels.
A status line runs across the bottom of the reels screen.
This bar displays various random tips when the reels are
stationary. If a spin produces any prizes they are listed in
this window.
Beneath the status bar is a row of icons you use to control
the game. Starting with the far left they are:
Information, a round blue icon with a white “i” embedded in
it. Clicking on this icon brings up the help screen system. You
use the right and left arrows to navigate through the four
screens and click on the red circle with the “X” in it to return
to the game.
Immediately below the Information icon is a sound control
(denoted by a musical note icon) that turns game volume on or
off.
To the right is the Pay Lines control. Use the Red down arrow
and the Blue up arrow to adjust the number of active pay lines.
There is a small Bent Line icon just above this control that you
can use to restore the maximum number (50) of active pay lines.
You can also click on any of the numbered tabs next to the reels
screen to active all the pay lines up to that number, or to
deactivate the pay lines above that number.
You can also use the up and down arrow keys on your computer
keyboard to adjust the number of active pay lines. Hold down the
arrow for continuous scrolling.
To the right of the Pay Lines control is the Bet Per Line
control. Use the Red down arrow and the Blue up arrow to adjust
the amount of the coin value to be ber per line. There is a
small icon just above this control, in the form of a stack of
coins, that you click on to set the Max Bet. Max Bet equals
maximum coin value (2.00) times active Pay Lines (50), or 100
currency units. The game defaults to 0.10 per line.
You can also use the right and left arrow keys on your
computer keyboard to adjust the coin value of your bet per line.
Hold down the arrow for continuous scrolling.
In the bottom middle of the screen is a large WIN window that
displays the total prize your last spin paid.
To the right of the Win window is a button with a Heart and
Club icon. This is the Gamble button. See how it works below.
Next to the Gamble button is the Autoplay button, a round
green icon with two white arrows chasing each other. Click on
Autoplay to bring up the slider dialog that allows you to set
the number of automatic spins anywhere from 0 to 100. If you
have used Autoplay previously in the current game session you
can just click on Last Settings. Otherwise, slide the bar to
where you want it and click Start.
Finally, the large Spin button is on the far right. After you
click Spin it sometimes becomes a Stop button and you can
interrupt the reels. Pressing the Space bar on your computer
keyboard is the same as clicking on the Spin button.
Free Games Bonus & Gamble Feature
The Scatter symbol triggers the Free Games bonus. When three
or more Scatter symbols appear on the screen you are awarded 5
Free Spins. It starts automatically for you and all prizes are
calculated at the active number of pay lines and bet per line on
the spin that awarded you the Free Spins.
The background image changes when there is a chance of
triggering a bonus game. The forest is replaced by a huge,
bright full moon in a night sky filled with stars. If the game
fails to trigger you are returned to the forest, but if the Free
Spins game begins the moon backdrop remains in place until the
bonus feature is completed.
During the Free Spins game there are more stacked Wild owl
symbols so your chances of winning a prize are improved.
The Scatter symbols can appear again and retrigger the game
for another 5 spins.
The Gamble button brings up a new dialog screen where you
play a guessing game. The back of a playing card is displayed
for you. You can play the game in one of two ways.
Double Your Money
To the left of the card you are presented with two choices:
Red and Black. Choose one and if the card matches your choice
you double the prize you just won on your spin (or on your
previous Gamble choice).
Quadruple Your Money
To the right of the playing card you are presented with the
four suits of a standard playing card deck: Hearts, Diamonds,
Clubs, and Spades. Choose one and if the playing card matches
your choice you quadruple the prize you just won.
You have the option of canceling without gambling your money
but you must risk your entire prize. The history of the cards
that were turned up is displayed for you although that won’t be
much help.
Each time the card is turned over you either lose your bet or
you have three choices:
- Take Win (ending the Gamble session)
- Choose Red or Black
- Choose a Suit
Conclusion
Although Owl Eyes is not the most exciting game one can play
it does have a few extra bells and whistles that add to the
ambience. The active background animation shows little
will-o-the-wisps floating around the trees. You can also see
luminescent mushrooms growing around the bases of the two
nearest trees. And every now and then a white rabbit comes
hopping in from one side of the screen, stops at the foot of a
tree, waits a while, and then hops away.
The reels are transparent so that you can see the forest
behind them.
Although the game does not have a full soundtrack there are
ambient sounds of crickets and other night creatures that play
continually. When you spin the reels a fairy-tale theme plays in
full orchestral music and sometimes a choir starts singing.
Sometimes when one or more Wild symbols scroll down the owl
hoots. It may also hoot for the full moon (Scatter).
A dramatic chord is played when the Scatter symbol stops on
one of the reels, and sometimes when more than one Scatter
stops.
On Big Wins diamonds begin spraying up and virtually
showering you while happy excited music plays. A harp plays a
quick riff on small wins.
There are just a lot of small touches that make the game seem
a little more magical than a typical spin the reels and watch
the unmoving symbols go by. As slot machine games go Owl Eyes
represents a transitional phase between older game design styles
and the more up-to-date 3-D extravaganzas the gaming companies
are turning out.
This game will keep some people playing for hours on end. The
music is relaxing but not sleep-inducing. The game should not
feel too stressful for people who enjoy relaxed slots play. At
the same time, it offers enough variety and randomness that most
players should enjoy the game for at least a while.
There are more exciting slots games but many far worse than
Owl Eyes.
