Reminiscent of an era traditionally associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1970), IGT’s Bitten is a 5 Reel slots game, awash with archetypal vampire references to the dead and the undead, immortality, eerie creatures of the night and an affinity for and obsession with the blood of human beings. The images are akin to those found in a comic strip rather than a horror movie, and as such does not repulse but instead offers an amusing twist to the generally gory concepts of death and dying.
In keeping with convention, the Bitten logo is draped over an image of the full moon, and the Reels are framed on both sides by fluttering bats and creepy looking trees branching out in tentacle-like fashion.
Setting the Mood
Bitten’s sound effects complete the already spooky scene of the plot. The voice of a female vampire announces that “the darkness holds great treasure”, re-enforcing the central idea with a sultry and slightly ominous touch.
Ease of Access
Registration of a player’s details is generally required in order to play Bitten. Like placing the Australian Open bet, the slots game can however be played online and full download is not a prerequisite. Sounds may be switched on or muted, and a player has a choice of four graphics resolution settings.
Bloody Symbols
Symbols include those found on standard playing cards such as the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and the Number Ten card, lending to the game a classic casino feel. The Celtic Heart, befittingly kitted out with coffin, a crystal glass filled with ruby red liquid and the almost notorious Candelabra also come into play.
Wild at Heart
The Bitten logo doubles as the Wild Symbol as well as the Scatter Symbol. Despite the use of the logo of a game as a symbol not being a completely original idea, it remains a novel one. The wild symbol fills its usual functional position of completing a winning combination. When in combination with other symbols, the winnings are doubled up. The scatter symbol needs only to appear 3 times in any position on the reels, to qualify for a payout. The stakes significantly increase when a total of 5 scatter symbols are landed on any one payline. This will multiply the Bet by up to 250 times.
Tales From the Crypt
3 or more Crypt Symbols landing in any position on any of the 5 reels activates the Free Spins Bonus Round.
The number of free spins awarded is determined by an interactive choice made by the player, when prompted to select any one coffin from a set of three. An element of anticipation prevails as the chosen coffin reveals its spoils. Free spins are played out on different sets of reels.
The Total of the Tally
The game does not include a progressive Jackpot, but possible winnings aren’t meagre either – the maximum payout being 25 000 credits.
Bitten includes 20 pay lines, and players would do well to place a bet on each pay line in order to optimize payouts.