Gates of Olympus Demo & Review 2025

Prepare to stand before the King of the Gods himself. Few online slots command as much respect and generate as much excitement as Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus. This isn't just another game; it's a high-volatility masterpiece that has become a legend in South Africa and across the globe.

Here at PCSA, my focus is on games that deliver a truly thrilling experience, and Gates of Olympus is the definition of epic. With tumbling reels, massive random multipliers, and a feature round where the power builds with every spin, this is a game that demands your attention. Let's climb Mount Olympus and see if we are worthy of Zeus's fortune.

Gates of Olympus Slot Summary

Gates of Olympus Demo

With a game this volatile, I strongly advise starting with the demo version. Playing for free is the best way to experience the Tumble feature, see how the Orb Multipliers work, and understand the patience required for this high-risk, high-reward slot without spending a cent.

Game Overview

Pragmatic Play unleashed Gates of Olympus in early 2021, and it instantly became a classic. It’s built on a 6-reel, 5-row grid and uses an All Ways Pays (or "Pays Anywhere") game engine. This is a key feature: you don't need symbols to be on adjacent reels or specific lines. Simply landing 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the screen secures a win. The game accommodates all types of players with a flexible bet range from R3 to R1,875 per spin.

The game has a very favourable RTP of 96.5% and, as you'd expect from the God of Thunder, the volatility is extremely high. This is a game of epic highs and lows. The maximum win is a solid 5,000x your stake.

A Growing Pantheon: The Gates of Olympus Series

The immense popularity of the original game was just the beginning. Pragmatic Play has since expanded the world of Olympus, creating a series of titles for players who want a different or even more intense experience. 

• Gates of Olympus™ (The Original): This is the classic game that this review focuses on, with its 500x max multiplier and 5,000x max win.

• Gates of Olympus 1000™: This sequel takes the potential to another level. The core mechanics are the same, but the maximum multiplier orb is boosted to a staggering 1,000x, and the max win potential is tripled to 15,000x your stake.

• Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000™: A festive reskin of the "1000" version. Zeus dons a Santa hat, and the setting is covered in snow, but underneath the Christmas cheer are the same powerful mechanics: a 1,000x max multiplier and a 15,000x top prize.

• Gates of Olympus Super Scatter™: This version introduces a new mechanic. You can trigger the bonus round with "Super Scatters," which guarantees that the multiplier orbs start at a higher minimum value, significantly increasing the feature's starting power.

It's always a good idea to check which version you are playing, as while they share the same divine DNA, their features and win potential can differ significantly.

Theme and Storyline

The theme is a powerful dive into Greek mythology, with Zeus himself as the main character. You are at the gates of his celestial home, Mount Olympus, surrounded by golden pillars. The storyline is simple: you spin the reels to gain the favour of Zeus, who can randomly bestow his powerful gifts (multipliers) upon you. The entire atmosphere is grand, epic!

Graphics, Sounds, and Animations

The design is rich with detail, from the gleaming gold trim on the reels to the precious gems that serve as symbols. An animated Zeus hovers beside the grid, watching your progress and occasionally raising his hand to unleash a lightning bolt of multipliers.

The audio design is equally impressive, featuring an orchestral score that creates a cinematic atmosphere and effectively builds tension during gameplay.

Gameplay

The core of the gameplay revolves around the Tumbling Reels mechanic. When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols are blasted off the grid, and new symbols fall from above to fill the empty spaces. This can create chain reactions of multiple wins from a single paid spin.

Given the high volatility, the gameplay can be a real rollercoaster. You might experience several spins with no action, but then one win can trigger a long and lucrative tumble sequence, especially if Zeus decides to intervene with his multipliers.

How to play

Despite its epic scale, the game is very easy to play.

1. Set Your Bet: Use the '+' and '-' buttons next to the spin button to adjust your bet and coin value to get your desired total stake.

2. Consider the Ante Bet: To the left of the reels, you have the option to activate the "Double Chance to Win Feature". This increases your stake by 25% but, as the name suggests, doubles your chances of naturally triggering the Free Spins round. It's a strategic choice I often use.

3. Spin the Reels: Hit the spin button and watch for clusters of 8 or more matching symbols to land anywhere on the screen.

Gates of Olympus Bonus Feature

The blessings of Zeus are where the true power of this game lies. Let's break them down.

Tumbling Reels

This feature is the engine of the game. After every spin, winning combinations are paid out, and all the winning symbols disappear. The remaining symbols then fall to the bottom of the screen, and new symbols drop from above to fill the empty positions. This process, known as a "tumble," will continue until no more winning combinations appear. There’s no limit to the number of possible tumbles from a single spin.

Orb Multipliers

On any spin, Zeus can randomly spring to life and cast magical orb symbols onto the reels. These orbs carry multiplier values ranging from 2x all the way up to a massive 500x. At the end of a tumble sequence, all the values of the orbs on screen are added together and applied to your total win from that sequence. Landing a big win with a couple of high-value orbs is an electrifying experience.

Free Spins with Increasing Multipliers

To trigger the bonus round, you need to land 4 or more Zeus Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. This will award you 15 Free Spins.

Crucially, landing the scatters also gives you an instant cash prize before the feature begins. The game's dynamic paytable shows you exactly what this prize will be based on your bet. at the minimum total bet of R3.75:

• 4 Scatters = R9.00 instant win + 15 Free Spins

• 5 Scatters = R15.00 instant win + 15 Free Spins

• 6 Scatters = R300.00 instant win + 15 Free Spins

During the Free Spins, any time you land a win with a multiplier orb on the screen, that multiplier's value is added to a Total Multiplier meter on the side. The crucial difference is that this Total Multiplier does not reset between spins. It can only grow throughout the entire feature!

If you then land another win, your new Total Multiplier is applied to it. This is how you build towards those monumental 5,000x wins. You can also re-trigger 5 extra spins by landing 3 more scatters during the round.

Buy Feature

For those who don't want to wait for Zeus's blessing, you can buy direct entry into the Free Spins feature for a cost of 100x your current total bet.

Payouts & Volatility

Let's look at the numbers that power this divine slot.

RTP and Volatility Analysis

The 96.5% RTP is a strong, player-friendly figure. However, the very high volatility is the defining characteristic. This game is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience and a solid bankroll strategy. The wins may not come on every spin, but the potential for them to be enormous is what makes the game so compelling.

Symbol Payout Table Summary

The game features a fantastic dynamic paytable that shows you the exact cash prize for every winning combination based on your current stake. To win, you need to land 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the screen.

The payouts below are an example based on a total bet of R7.50. Remember, these values will increase or decrease if you change your bet.

• Zeus Scatter:

  • 6 Scatters = R600.00

  • 5 Scatters = R30.00

  • 4 Scatters = R18.00

• Gold Crown:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R300.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R150.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R60.00

• Sand Timer:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R150.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R60.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R15.00

• Ring:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R90.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R30.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R12.00

• Goblet:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R72.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R12.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R9.00

• Red Gemstone:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R60.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R9.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R6.00

• Purple Gemstone:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R48.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R7.20

  • 8-9 Symbols = R4.80

• Yellow Gemstone:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R30.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R6.00

  • 8-9 Symbols = R3.00

• Green Gemstone:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R24.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R5.40

  • 8-9 Symbols = R2.40

• Blue Gemstone:

  • 12-30 Symbols = R12.00

  • 10-11 Symbols = R4.50

  • 8-9 Symbols = R1.50

Tips for playing Gates of Olympus

• Manage Your Bankroll: Due to the high volatility, you need a budget that can withstand a number of non-winning spins. Set a firm limit and stick to it.

• Use the Ante Bet: If your budget allows, activating the 25% Ante Bet is a smart strategy. It significantly increases your chances of triggering the all-important Free Spins round, which is where the biggest wins are found.

• Be Patient: This is not a game for quick, small wins. The entire experience is built around the thrill of waiting for a massive tumble sequence or triggering the bonus feature. Don't get discouraged by quiet periods.

• Understand the Multipliers: Remember that in the base game, orb multipliers apply only to the total win of a single tumble sequence. In the Free Spins, they add to a total that grows and applies to all subsequent wins.

What is the RTP for Gates of Olympus?

The RTP (Return to Player) for Gates of Olympus is 96.5%. This excellent RTP, combined with its explosive high-volatility gameplay and powerful multiplier features, makes it one of the most thrilling and popular slots you can play in South Africa.