Narcos Review - Editor’s Impressions
The online Narcos slot machine is based on the hit Netflix show tracking the chase for 1970s Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. This slot manhunt has multiple bonus features, including Wilds, Free Spins, Locked Up, and Drive-By features.
We’ll share more insights in this Narcos slot review and mention where to play it for crime-themed online slots enthusiasts.
Overview of Narcos Game
This chase takes place on a 5x3 grid with 243 ways to win. To blend the bonus features with the theme, NetEnt included three locked-up symbols. This effort is also reflected in the game symbols that feature cartel members and symbols.
The bet range is wide, going from £0.20 all the way to £400. Unlike its sequel, Narcos Mexico, this slot comes off light in the bonus features. Nonetheless, it has engaging gameplay even in the extra game rounds.
Narcos RTP, Payout, and Volatility
This crime slot has a 96.23% RTP and medium-high volatility.
Like most true crime titles we’ve covered in our online slot reviews, law enforcement symbols are quite rewarding. Landing five matches of either DEA agents, Javier and Murphy, earns you a 300x payout. Connie Murphy and the cartel boss Gacha follow closely with 250x payouts for five matches.
A flamingo and a light aircraft make up the medium-paying symbols in this slot, while regular playing cards appear at the bottom of the paytable.
Narcos Graphics and Gaming Experience
Calming coastal music plays in the background of this gripping adventure set in the beautiful streets of Medellin. If you watched the TV show, you might feel like NetEnt dropped the ball for not including the show’s theme song.
What’s undeniable is the effort put into the graphics. NetEnt claims to have infused 3D images and hand-drawn graphics for this slot, and it sure looks like it.
The regular playing card symbols are engraved in cash, magazines, rifles, and grenades to bring out the cartel lifestyle. Further attention to detail is also visible on the spin button in the shape of a revolver.
Narcos Bonus Features
A DEA badge represents the Wilds in this 5 reel slot, appearing on the grid to substitute other symbols for winning combinations. It also has a base game value, paying up to 300x for five matches. This game also introduces Walking Wilds, which stay on the grid after they form a win. They move to the left one place on each subsequent round.
A Drive-By can trigger randomly during the base game rounds. A car zooms by the reels turning various symbols into Wilds.
Landing three or more special locked-up symbols on the same row triggers the Locked-Up feature. You can’t miss the locked-up symbol as it’s a mugshot of Pablo Escobar himself. The mugshot symbols are combined and assigned winnings values ranging from 1x - 10x your stake. When this feature is active, you can also spin in a golden locked-up symbol with 2x - 3x multipliers.
Narcos Free Spins
A sedan represents the Scatters symbol in this slot. When three fall on the first, third, and fifth reels, they trigger 10 Free Spins. During the Free Spins rounds, there’s a significant chance of high-paying symbols turning into Wilds for bigger wins. Also, landing Walking Wilds when this feature is active prolongs the Free Spins rounds.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Playing Narcos?
Playing the Narcos game is an exhilarating experience for new and seasoned players. Nevertheless, some features make the Narcos online casino make the experience less enjoyable.
Pros
- Narcos has eye-catching graphics and an exciting theme.
- This slot has multiple bonus features, including a special locked-up symbol.
- Walking Wilds can prolong Free Spins rounds.
Cons
- The golden locked-up symbol has low 2x - 3x multipliers.
Where To Play Narcos Online
Playing the Narcos slot demo allows you to familiarise yourself with the game and spare your bankroll. When ready for the Narcos real money version, check out our recommended NetEnt sites. BitStarz is among the best online casino sites where you can play this game.
Summary of Narcos - An Exhilarating 243 Ways Manhunt
NetEnt has outdone itself by adapting this true crime story and incorporating high-quality graphics. This helps create an immersive environment as you play the Narcos slot demo or real money game.
The extra round features and base game payouts are attractive for casual play. When looking for a crime thriller slot, Narcos is an excellent choice.
This game produces violent downswings, nearly every session will generate a massive loss, with very occasional wins. If you don't hit big on the free spins or jailbreak feature, you're totally f'ed. It's a NetEnt game, so the possibility of deliberate misstating of the RTP is extremely low to nil. But I am now in the process of carefully logging my win/loss due to what would easily amount to 5+ sigma downswings on most other slots. So far after $3500 wagering at $5/spin, I have an observed RTP of 56%. While that is well within normal statistical bounds, it's still a bit concerning given the reason that I started the observations was due to consecutive violent downswings, which are not included in the above figures.
If it gets to $10k wagered and an observed RTP of less than about 80%, I am going to cross this game off my list. At a minimum, that number would represent variance so extreme that it makes the game unplayable for practical reasons. And there is always the possibility that NetEnt may have made a coding error. Is it possible this game actually has a lotto-like 60% true RTP?