Lava Lava
Written by: Lars Huq, Journalist
Updated: February 25, 2025, 8:00 am UTC+0
The guiding words when the games studio, Thunderkick, designs and plans a game are bold, color, and loads of fun. In fact, their strategy, in combination with the already mentioned attributes, is, too. “Create kick-ass content that leaves no one untouched”. And with its latest volcano-themed video slot, Lava Lava, it looks like we are going to see something exciting and visually pleasing once again. But how well do the 5-reel, 3-row, and 15-payline really play? And perhaps of greater interest? Is the 96.14% return to player (RTP), high volatility with a 10,000 x your bet as a max win work well together? To figure that out, we only have to do one thing, play Lava Lava and leave an unbias review. So, are you growing tired of all ancient Egypt and space-themed video slots? Well, the Thunderkick’s Lava Lava video slot might be the break you’ve been looking for?
Lava Lava video slot – game statistics and other game info
- Game Provider: Thunderkick
- Type: Video slot, Vulcano theme
- RTP: 96.14%
- Paylines: 15
- Reel: 5 reels and 3 rows
- Min – Max bet: £0.10 up to £100
- Bonuses & features: Exploding scatter, multiplying wild, free spins
- Volatility: High
- Max Win: 10,000 x your bet
- Release date: 09.03.2022
- Suitable for: Cautious players, Everyday pleasure seekers, Daredevils, and High Rollers.
Lava Lava video slot – Bonus Feature
In what looks like an attempt to find new avenues for the classic scatter symbol, Thunderkick has chosen to make the scatter a dual-purpose symbol. Sure we’ve seen this in many games and titles. However, the way it blends in is fun and somewhat exciting. So basically, yes, 3 or more scatter symbols will eventually take you to the 10 to 15 free spins. But before, let’s check the scatters first superpower. In essence, when a scatter land, it will explode all symbols in its direct vertical and horizontal path across the whole game grid. Resulting in an empty space where new symbols will land. Also known more as “avalanche” type video slots. Meaning, that you have more than one spin to catch the necessary 3 scatters to get into the free spins bonus game. Still, the 3 scatter collections need to happen during one paid spin.
Side note about the bonus feature
worth taking into consideration is that, during the free spins, the avalanche feature is on all the wins. Moreover, the game grid gets peppered with 1 – 3 wild symbols on every initiated free spin. Whereas the wild symbols have a 3 point protection system. Meaning, should a wild be in the explosive path of the scatter. Well, yes, you guessed it, it survives 3 scatter attacks. Additionally, one of the major selling points of the Lava Lava video slot is the wilds, extra power. To explain, if a wild[s] are part of a winning line, it multiplies with the number of wild. So, say that if you have 2 wild in a win line, you get 4x the win. And as the Lava Lava video slot from Thunderkick is an un-capped wild title, the multiplier can top 32 x your win; wow.
Symbols and Scatters
On the subject of scatters and wilds, let’s get the visuals explained. The wild, a yellow glowing capital W set in a stone, or perhaps lava square. Where the scatter is a woman, possibly the Lava Lava’s video slot goddess? Now, from the top of the regular paying symbols, we have a golden flower, followed by 3 different face masks in the colours purple, blue, and green. Which only leaves the lowers segment of symbols. That all are the classic ace to 9 symbol combination. Yet, all selected symbols are well-themed to echo the overall experience further. And that’s it, so in total, you only have to keep track of 12 symbols, wild and scatter included.
The real spin experience of Lava Lava
To fully enjoy the Lava Lava video slot, we recommend playing it with all intended stimulants, more precisely, the sound, as it adds that extra layer of immersiveness. So, as standard, we set the auto spin to 100, regulate the bet to £1, and hit spin. And to the excitement, the first 10 to 15 spins were super rewarding, still only a bunch of smaller wins, but definitely the best way to start a new game. Although, after that, the transportation spins came to join the party. And it was not until spin 60 that we hit the most significant win (£25), a decent wild multiplier win. And even if the Lava Lava started to loosen up a bit, we never fully triggered the free spins game. But had multiple scatter explosions and action happening on the reel.
Our thoughts on Lava Lava video slot
In all honestly, at first glance and reading about the Lava Lava video slot, the setup sounded a bit undercooked. However, with the surprisingly real spin experience start, the wording changed to perfectly well balanced. And even when we conducted our 100 test spins, we got to experience (almost) the full range of the video slot. Yet, expect to invest some spins before ticking all the feature boxes in this video slot. Finally, though, something about Thunderkicks latest volcano-themed video slot ties up the sack into something captivating. It’s one of those instances where you know it’s good but can’t fully put the finger on exactly what makes it sound and worth our and your time. But, don’t blindly trust our word for it, just give it a spin, and you see what we mean.
