The Eye of Horus Megaways: An Expert’s Overview of the Pharaoh’s Megaways Makeover
A Classic Reborn In the vast and often crowded world of online slots, few themes possess the timeless appeal of Ancient Egypt,…
A Classic Reborn
In the vast and often crowded world of online slots, few themes possess the timeless appeal of Ancient Egypt, and even fewer games achieve the legendary status of Eye of Horus. First released in 2016, the original slot from Blueprint Gaming and Merkur became a cornerstone of online casinos, particularly in Europe, celebrated for its straightforward yet captivating gameplay. Its success spawned a dynasty of sequels and spin-offs, but it was the 2019 release of Eye of Horus Megaways that truly marked a new era for the franchise. This was not merely a fresh coat of paint on a beloved classic; it was a fundamental reimagining, supercharging the original’s soul with the revolutionary Megaways game engine.
The decision to infuse a classic title with a modern, high-volatility mechanic reflects a savvy understanding of the market. The original game had cultivated a loyal following who appreciated its simplicity and the iconic symbol-upgrade bonus round. In parallel, the Megaways engine, licensed from Big Time Gaming, had become an industry phenomenon, synonymous with dynamic gameplay and immense win potential. By merging the two, the developers could bridge two distinct player bases: re-engaging the nostalgic fans of the original while simultaneously attracting a new generation of players who actively seek the thrill of Megaways games. This strategic modernisation ensures the enduring allure of the Egyptian adventure, promising both familiar treasures and new, exhilarating paths to find them.
Deconstructing the Megaways Engine: How It Plays
The Six-Reel Sarcophagus
The most immediate departure from the original is the game’s structure. Eye of Horus Megaways expands the play area from a traditional five-reel grid to a larger six-reel setup. The core of the Megaways system lies in its dynamic nature; on any given spin, each of these six reels can land a variable number of symbols, typically ranging from two to five. This constant shifting of the grid’s configuration is what makes every spin feel unpredictable and distinct.
15,625 Paths to Treasure
This dynamic grid does away with the concept of fixed paylines. Instead, a win is awarded for landing matching symbols on any position on adjacent reels, as long as the sequence begins from the leftmost reel. The number of potential “ways to win” is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. In its maximum configuration, with five symbols appearing on all six reels, the game offers a grand total of 15,625 ways to win (). This figure is displayed at the top of the screen after each spin, keeping the player informed of the current potential.
Placing Your Wager
Despite the complex mechanics under the bonnet, playing the game is remarkably straightforward. The user interface is clean and intuitive, allowing players to adjust their total stake using simple up and down arrows located to the side of the reels. The betting range is broad, accommodating all types of players, from cautious explorers to high-rolling treasure hunters, with typical stakes running from as little as 10p up to £100 per spin.
A Crucial Omission: No Cascading Reels
It is essential to clarify a common point of confusion. While many popular Megaways titles feature “cascading” or “tumbling” reels—where winning symbols explode and are replaced by new ones within the same spin—Eye of Horus Megaways deliberately omits this feature.Once a winning combination is paid out, the spin is complete. This design choice is significant. Standard Megaways games, with their 117,649+ ways to win and cascading chain reactions, can be visually overwhelming for those accustomed to traditional slots. By capping the ways-to-win at a more modest 15,625 and sticking to a classic “one spin, one result” mechanic, the game retains the uncluttered feel of its predecessor. This makes it an ideal “gateway” experience, introducing players to the excitement of the Megaways concept without the chaos, perfectly balancing modern potential with classic playability.
Decoding the Hieroglyphs: A Guide to Symbols and Payouts
The symbols adorning the stone-carved reels are a faithful tribute to the original game, steeped in the rich iconography of Ancient Egypt. They are divided into low-value, high-value, and powerful special symbols.
The Royal Papyrus (Low-Value Symbols)
The most common symbols are the familiar playing card royals: Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. These are designed to provide the smaller, more frequent payouts that keep the gameplay flowing. A full line of six matching royal symbols will typically award a prize of 4 times the player’s total stake.
The Pantheon of Payouts (High-Value Symbols)
The game’s true character shines through in its high-value symbols, each a nod to Egyptian mythology. In ascending order of value, players will encounter colourful Fans, the Ankh (the symbol of life), the Scarab Beetle (a symbol of transformation), the Falcon (representing the god Horus), and the Jackal (representing Anubis, the guide to the underworld). These icons offer significantly larger payouts and are the key to substantial wins in the base game.
The Gods Among Us (Special Symbols)
Two symbols hold divine power and are central to the game’s most exciting moments:
- The Horus Wild: The falcon-headed god Horus himself appears as the Wild symbol. He can land on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, where he substitutes for any other paying symbol to help complete a winning combination. True to the original game’s beloved mechanic, whenever the Horus Wild lands, it expands to cover the entire reel, dramatically increasing the potential for multiple wins on that spin.
- The Temple Scatter: A gleaming Temple Entrance, with light beaming from within, acts as the Scatter symbol. This is the most valuable symbol in its own right, awarding an instant prize of up to 100 times the total stake for landing six anywhere on the reels.More importantly, it is the key that unlocks the door to the game’s main bonus feature.
Symbol Payout Table
The following table details the payout values for landing three to six matching symbols, based on a £1.00 stake for easy comparison.
| Symbol | 3 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 5 of a Kind | 6 of a Kind |
| J, Q, K, A | £0.10 | £0.20 | £0.30 | £0.40 |
| Fans, Ankh | £0.40 | £0.50 | £0.60 | £0.80 |
| Scarab Beetle | £0.50 | £0.60 | £0.80 | £1.00 |
| Eagle (Falcon) | £0.60 | £1.00 | £1.50 | £2.00 |
| Anubis (Jackal) | £1.00 | £2.00 | £3.00 | £4.00 |
| Eye of Horus | £2.00 | £5.00 | £10.00 | £20.00 |
Data sourced from the game’s official paytable.
Unlocking the Tomb: The All-Important Bonus Features
While the Megaways engine provides constant action in the base game, the heart of Eye of Horus Megaways lies within its powerful and highly anticipated Free Spins bonus round.
The Main Event: Triggering the Free Spins
The bonus is triggered by landing three or more Temple Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels in a single spin. This not only grants entry to the feature but also awards an immediate payout. Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 Scatters will pay 2x, 20x, 50x, or a massive 100x the total stake, respectively, before awarding a standard set of 12 free spins.
The Gaze of Horus: The Symbol Upgrade Mechanic
This is where the game’s true potential is unleashed. The iconic symbol upgrade feature from the original slot returns with even greater impact. During the free spins, whenever a Horus Wild symbol lands on the reels, it performs a sequence of powerful actions. First, it expands to fill the entire reel, just as it does in the base game. Then, Horus fires a beam of light at the row of high-value symbols displayed above the reels. This beam strikes the lowest-value picture symbol currently in play and upgrades all instances of it to the next symbol up the paytable for the remainder of the round. For example, the first Wild that lands will transform all Fan symbols into Ankh symbols. The next Wild will upgrade all Ankhs into Scarabs, and so on. This creates a thrilling snowball effect; with enough Wilds, it’s possible to eliminate all lower-tier picture symbols, leaving only the highest-paying Eye of Horus symbol on the reels alongside the royals.
More Time in the Treasury: Re-triggering Extra Spins
The Horus Wild holds one more secret power. Unlike many slots that require landing more Scatters to extend the bonus, here the Wilds themselves award additional spins. Landing 1, 2, or 3 Horus Wilds during a single free spin grants an extra 1, 3, or 5 spins, respectively.
This elegant design, where the single Horus Wild symbol is responsible for expanding, upgrading symbols, and awarding more spins, creates a deeply engaging and symbiotic feedback loop. In many games, the features that improve win values and those that extend the round are separate. Here, they are fused. The appearance of a single Wild is a moment of huge excitement because it delivers a triple benefit: an immediate boost to win potential from the expansion, a long-term increase in value from the symbol upgrade, and more time to capitalise on those upgrades via extra spins. This clever fusion of mechanics is the game’s core genius, driving player engagement and creating the potential for truly monumental wins.
The Numbers Game: Volatility, RTP, and Maximum Wins
A High-Stakes Adventure (Volatility)
Eye of Horus Megaways is consistently classified as a high, or medium-to-high, volatility slot. For the player, this translates to a gameplay experience where wins might not occur on every other spin. However, when winning combinations do land, particularly within the bonus feature, they have the potential to be significantly larger than those in a low-volatility game. It is a model designed for players who enjoy the anticipation and thrill of chasing substantial payouts.
Return to Player (RTP): Clarifying the Figures
There is considerable inconsistency across various sources regarding the game’s Return to Player (RTP) percentage. Many sites incorrectly list the 96.31% RTP that belongs to the original 2016 slot. The most consistently cited and accurate figure for the standard Eye of Horus Megaways version is 95.49%. While other figures in the 95% range are sometimes quoted, this 95.49% value is the most reliable. This is slightly below the industry average of 96%, a common characteristic for games that offer such a high maximum win potential.
Chasing the Pharaoh’s Fortune (Maximum Payout)
The ultimate prize hidden within this ancient tomb is a maximum win of 10,000 times the player’s stake. It is important to note, however, that this colossal potential is typically capped by the developer at a maximum cash value of £250,000. This is a crucial detail for players wagering at higher levels, as the cap may be reached before the 10,000x multiplier is achieved.
Old Kingdom vs. New Kingdom: A Head-to-Head Comparison
While the Megaways version is a modern evolution, it shares a clear and deliberate lineage with its classic predecessor. The core elements that made the original a hit—the theme, the art style, the key symbols, and the legendary expanding wild and symbol upgrade bonus—are all faithfully preserved to create a familiar experience for returning fans.
However, the differences are transformative. The fundamental shift from a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines to a 6-reel Megaways grid with up to 15,625 ways to win fundamentally changes the rhythm and potential of the game. Other key changes include the slightly lower RTP in the Megaways version and the removal of the classic 50/50 ‘Gamble’ feature that was available after wins in the original game.
Original vs. Megaways Comparison Table
| Feature | Eye of Horus (Original) | Eye of Horus Megaways |
| Developer | Blueprint / Merkur | Blueprint / Merkur |
| Release Year | 2016 | 2019 |
| Reels | 5 | 6 |
| Rows | 3 | 2-5 (Variable) |
| Paylines/Ways | 10 Paylines | Up to 15,625 Ways to Win |
| RTP | 96.31% | 95.49% |
| Volatility | Medium-High | High |
| Max Win (Stake) | 500x – 10,000x | 10,000x (Capped at £250,000) |
| Expanding Wild | Yes | Yes |
| Symbol Upgrade | Yes (in Free Spins) | Yes (in Free Spins) |
| Cascading Reels | No | No |
| Gamble Feature | Yes | No |
The Scribe’s Verdict: An Expert Recommendation
Eye of Horus Megaways stands as a masterclass in how to respectfully modernise a classic. It successfully fuses the potent bonus feature that players fell in love with years ago with the dynamic, high-octane thrill of the Megaways engine. Its relatively simple mechanics and lack of cascading reels make it a refreshingly accessible entry in the often-complex Megaways category, and the symbiotic design of its bonus round is exceptionally engaging.
However, the game is not without its flaws. The visual presentation and audio effects are decidedly dated, retaining the simple, land-based casino feel of the original but lacking the cinematic polish of contemporary slots.1 Furthermore, its RTP of 95.49% sits just below the current industry average, which may be a consideration for some players.
Ultimately, Eye of Horus Megaways occupies a valuable and highly appealing niche. It is an exceptional choice and comes highly recommended for three types of players:
- Devoted fans of the original game who are seeking a more volatile experience with vastly greater win potential.
- Players new to the Megaways world who desire an accessible introduction without being overwhelmed by overly complex features.
- Slot enthusiasts who prioritise pure, powerful bonus mechanics over flashy graphics and intricate base games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The most widely confirmed Return to Player (RTP) for Eye of Horus Megaways is 95.49%. Be aware that some sources mistakenly quote the 96.31% RTP of the original, non-Megaways version.
Wins are formed by landing three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the first reel on the left.The largest wins are almost always achieved during the Free Spins bonus round, thanks to the powerful symbol upgrade mechanic.
During the free spins bonus, every time the expanding Horus Wild symbol lands, it fires a beam of light that upgrades the lowest-value picture symbol to the next highest-paying one for all subsequent spins.
Yes. Extra spins are awarded when Horus Wilds land during the feature. Landing 1, 2, or 3 wilds on a single spin will grant an additional 1, 3, or 5 free spins, respectively.
The game offers a maximum win potential of 10,000 times your stake. However, this is subject to a developer cap, which is typically set at a maximum of £250,000.
The game was developed through a collaboration between Blueprint Gaming and Merkur, the same partnership behind the original classic slot.
The primary differences are the mechanics. The Megaways version uses 6 reels and up to 15,625 ways to win instead of the original’s 5 reels and 10 paylines. It also has a slightly lower RTP and does not include the post-win ‘Gamble’ feature found in the original.
This appears to be a deliberate design choice to maintain the simple, clean gameplay of the original slot. This makes the game less complex and more approachable for players who are new to the Megaways format.
Official free-to-play demo versions from Blueprint Gaming can be difficult to locate.18 However, the game is very accessible for real play, with a minimum bet of just 10p per spin. Many online casinos may also offer a demo mode to players after they have registered an account.
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