Note from the editors: Yanaha’s Rite is a custom game developed by SG Digital and hosted by Leovegas Casino. Therefore, it cannot be considered an SG Digital product.
According to my trusty trusty Google, the name “Yanaha” means “brave” or “she faces the enemy.” Native American names in films almost usually have hidden significance that reveals something about the character. It’s intriguing to consider if Hollywood accurately portrays life or only perpetuates a caricature. SG Digital’s Yanaha’s Rite, which has every Native American stereotype imaginable, comes across as too clichéd. However, the game’s unique features and gameplay make it a compelling experience.
It’s no surprise that Yanaha’s Rite is an unusual slot machine given the prevalence of games set in the North American grasslands and deserts. Its 4-reel, 6-row grid matrix is the first hint; it pays in all directions, left to right and right to left, and it becomes larger during free spins. SG really went all out for the concept, with elements like a sunken Totem Pole set against a rocky, arid, and scorching backdrop and the alluring sound of panpipes. During free games, a Native American dude on the left sways in the wind and beats a drum to release grid modifiers.
Players may wager anywhere from 20p/c up to £/€50 each spin on Yanaha’s Rite, which is playable across all devices. The game employs a scatter collection method that resets to square one whenever the player alters their wager. You may go back to a previous level without losing your progress because the game saves your progress automatically. The return to player percentage is above average at 96.7%, while the game’s volatility is in between medium and high.
The emblems, which consist of 4 low-paying and 3 mid-paying creative designs, try their best to portray Native American culture as well. Comparable to entering the Desert Watchtower on the Grand Canyon’s southeast rim, perusing the payout schedule is an adventure in itself. The more valuable emblems consist of three figures: a courageous warrior, a beautiful woman, and the chief wearing an elaborate feathered headdress. There are payouts for combinations of up to six of a type in both the main game and free spins, with the Chief premium offering up to five times the stake. Finally, wild symbols appear during free spins only and can substitute for other pay symbols to assist complete winning combinations.
Slot Featured in Yanaha’s Ritual
In tandem with the Dual Ways payout structure is a set of free spins that can alter the reels in one of four ways. Free games are triggered by collecting 4 scatter symbols in an unconventional manner. When at least one scatter appears, it illuminates a section of the Totem Pole located to the side of the reels. The bonus round is activated by accumulating 4 scatters throughout the course of the next 20 spins. A counter will show above the grid while you’re collecting to keep track of how many of your twenty spins are still available.
You get 8 bonus spins and access to four more modifers. Free spins offer one of these four Spirit Modifiers based on the appearance of an etheric animal spirit shape released by the man on the left’s drumming:
The bear will randomly increase your winnings by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10!
Eagle – distributes a fixed number of wilds throughout the board at random.
When activated, the Hare feature adds hidden symbols to the playing field that eventually reveal a single payout icon.
For the duration of the feature, Wolf can expand the grid to a maximum of 8 reels in width.
If the Totem Pole is filled with Scatters during the bonus round, an additional 5 free games will be added to the player’s current score.
Slot Verdict, a Yanaha Ritual
Yanaha’s Rite goes as far into Native American tradition than any slot has before, and that makes players curious about what will happen next. It’s possible that some people will find the game to be cliched. While some may take exception at what they see as cultural appropriation, Yanaha’s Rite manages to immerse you in its themed universe despite this. At first, at least, you’re curious as to what it’ll accomplish because of the theme, the oddly put out grid, and the Dual Ways payout system.
When you press the spin button, the reels may not actually spin but instead cloud over to display new symbols. Though it’s not necessarily a deal breaker, the lack of reel-spinning action may get old after a while, and the cloud device’s slowness is something that might be held against other parts of the game, such as the Spirit Modifier’s animations. It’s possible that some viewers may appreciate these unique touches, while others will find them annoying. If this is a topic that piques your curiosity, though, you’ll find enough to enjoy in these supplementary materials.
Yanaha’s Rite has more benefits than drawbacks in terms of gameplay. Congratulations to SG for thinking outside the box and creating Dual Pays Ways. The pay structure, already novel on its own, is given an opportunity to shine when combined with the Wolf modifier, which causes the reels to enlarge. The paytable for Yanaha’s Rite indicates that not all stake levels may reach the maximum possible prize of £250,000.
If you’re looking for a game that will make you stand out from the crowd, give Yanaha’s Rite a try. Both the theme and the gameplay are refreshingly unique, so props to SG for taking risks and not merely following the crowd. A fascination with Native American lore and magic, such as dream catchers and spirit guides, is helpful. If so, then you’re in for a treat with Yanaha’s Rite.