If you play online slots for any length of time, you’re likely to encounter Thor, or Þórr in Old Norse, at some point. Thor is the quintessential man’s man—or stereotypical, depending on your perspective. When he’s not drinking and feasting, he’s smashing through foes and beasts with his legendary hammer, Mjolnir. It’s easy to get swept up in the Thor mystique, imagining yourself downing mead from horn cups, growing a beard, and donning an epic cape. With these thoughts in mind, we were excited to give Valhalla Saga: Thunder of Thor a spin, anticipating a game that lived up to the legend.
Developed through a collaboration between Yggdrasil and independent software studio Jelly, our expectations were high, especially considering Yggdrasil’s popular ‘Vikings Go’ series of slots. From the moment we launched Valhalla Saga: Thunder of Thor, the reaction was largely positive. The game features a 5-reel, 30-payline grid set against a moody northern landscape that could represent anywhere from Iceland to Scandinavia—or beyond, considering the Vikings’ voyages to North America nearly 500 years before Columbus. Mjolnir sits on one side of the screen, with the Buy Bonus button on the other, while lightning crashes down on the bleak landscape. So far, so good.
Game Mechanics
Valhalla Saga: Thunder of Thor can be played on any device, with stakes ranging from 20 p/c to $/€80. The game offers respectable stats, starting with a theoretical return value of 95.9%, and a significant max win waiting for lucky players. Larger wins are attainable through a bonus round that populates frame positions with jackpots or money symbols.
Symbols and Payouts
Winning combinations form when at least 3 matching symbols land on one of the 30 paylines, starting from the leftmost reel. The symbols are well-designed, with intricately patterned 10-A royals for the low pays, and cups, axes, longships, and Thors for the high pays, worth 10 to 25 times your stake. Mjolnir appears again as the wild symbol, which can land in any position to replace all symbols except the scatter. Wilds also come with multipliers during the Thunder of Thor modifier, which we will cover next.
Special Features
Thunder of Thor Modifier: This feature activates randomly during the base game, adding multipliers to wild symbols and significantly boosting potential payouts.
Bonus Round: Triggered by landing scatter symbols, this round populates frame positions with jackpots or money symbols, creating opportunities for substantial wins.
Verdict
Valhalla Saga: Thunder of Thor delivers a solid and engaging slot experience, enhanced by its well-executed theme and high-quality visuals. The game’s blend of classic slot mechanics with innovative features like the Thunder of Thor modifier and the lucrative bonus round makes it a compelling choice for both new and experienced players. Whether you’re a fan of Norse mythology or simply enjoy well-crafted slots, Valhalla Saga: Thunder of Thor is definitely worth a spin.