| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.02% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | Low-Medium |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 20 |
| Bet Range | £0.20 - £100.00 |
| Hit Frequency | 29.00% |
| Max Win | 800x |
| Features | Wilds, Bonus Rounds |
Elements: The Awakening Slot Review
Elements: The Awakening is a five-reel, 20-payline slot from NetEnt built around the four classical elements - Fire, Water, Air and Earth. Released in 2013, it was one of the earlier NetEnt titles to combine the Avalanche (cascading reels) mechanic with a multi-mode free spins feature, giving each element its own distinct wild behaviour during the bonus round. The result is a slot that plays differently depending on which element takes over, adding genuine variety across sessions.
The visual design is calm and elemental rather than flashy. Each element has its own section of the grid, with symbols coloured to reflect Fire, Water, Air and Earth themes. An Element Energy bar runs beneath the reels, filling as consecutive Avalanches build up and showing which element is dominant - so you can see at a glance which free spins mode you're heading towards if a chain keeps running.
Game Details at a Glance
- Developer: NetEnt
- Reels / Rows / Paylines: 5 reels, 3 rows, 20 fixed paylines
- RTP: 96.02%
- Volatility: Low to medium
- Max win: 800x bet
The Avalanche Mechanic
Elements: The Awakening uses NetEnt's Avalanche system rather than traditional spinning reels. When a winning combination lands, those symbols are removed and the remaining symbols drop down, with new ones falling in from the top to fill the gaps. If the new arrangement produces another win, the process repeats - giving you multiple wins from a single paid spin.
Each consecutive Avalanche within a single spin advances the Element Energy bar by one step. At four consecutive Avalanches, the Free Falls bonus triggers. There are no base-game multipliers attached to the Avalanche chain - the mechanic here is about building towards the free spins feature rather than stacking multipliers as you go. That distinguishes it from Gonzo's Quest, where the multipliers are the main draw of the Avalanche feature.
The Element Energy bar persists between spins, so if you reach three Avalanches on one spin and don't quite hit the bonus, you carry that progress forward. This creates a background layer of anticipation through the session, as a bar that's already partway filled means any chain of wins could tip you into Free Falls.
Free Falls - Four Elements, Four Wild Modes
Four consecutive Avalanches in the base game trigger 10 Free Falls, with one of the four Storm Wild modes activating depending on which element is dominant. Each mode gives wild symbols a different behaviour:
- Fire Storm: Wild symbols appear on the middle reels and can spread to adjacent positions, potentially covering large portions of the grid.
- Air Storm: Two wilds are placed randomly at the start of the round and shift to new positions after every Avalanche, keeping them in play across multiple drops.
- Earth Storm: Wilds are indestructible - they stay in position until they contribute to a winning combination, making them persistent throughout the round.
- Water Storm: Wilds expand vertically to cover the entire reel when they appear, acting as expanding wilds for maximum coverage.
Each mode changes how the free spins play out in practice. Water Storm tends to produce the most aggressive wins when wilds land on populated reels, while Earth Storm rewards patience as those sticky wilds build up. Air Storm wilds keep moving so wins depend more on timing, and Fire Storm's spreading wilds can fill the middle section of the grid when the conditions line up.
You cannot choose which element triggers - it depends on the state of the Energy bar when you hit the fourth Avalanche. That's part of what makes the base game interesting: you're watching which element builds the fastest, knowing it will determine the type of bonus you get.
RTP, Volatility and What to Expect
The RTP sits at 96.02%, which is solid and slightly above the 96% midpoint you'd typically use as a benchmark for NetEnt's catalogue. Low to medium volatility means you'll see regular small wins from the Avalanche chains, with the occasional longer run that builds the Energy bar and pushes you into Free Falls. The max win of 800x bet is moderate compared to newer high-volatility titles - this is not a slot designed around enormous outlier wins. It's built for consistent engagement across a session, with the four Free Falls modes providing the main upside.
The low to medium volatility makes it accessible for players who prefer steadier sessions. You're unlikely to sit through extended dead patches, but by the same measure the peak wins are more contained than in high-volatility equivalents. For players who want more variance and win potential on a similar theme, NetEnt's later releases such as Wild Water or Reel Rush offer different trade-offs, but Elements: The Awakening remains one of the more distinctive titles for its multi-mode bonus structure.
Mobile Play
Elements: The Awakening runs in HTML5 and works across desktop, tablet and mobile browsers without requiring an app or plugin. The elemental visual style and interface scale cleanly to smaller screens. NetEnt has kept the game maintained and available across its casino partners' platforms since 2013, so the technical side is well supported.
Is Elements: The Awakening Worth Playing?
If the Avalanche mechanic appeals to you and you want a slot where the bonus round has genuine variety rather than a single fixed mode, Elements: The Awakening makes a strong case. The four Free Falls types mean the game plays out differently session to session, and the Element Energy bar gives you something to track across spins beyond just watching for scatter symbols.
The 96.02% RTP and low to medium volatility make it a reasonable pick for longer sessions without punishing bankroll swings. The 800x max win ceiling keeps expectations grounded - this isn't where you go for life-changing outlier potential, but as a well-constructed slot with a distinctive feature mechanic it holds up well even by current standards. It sits naturally alongside other NetEnt Avalanche titles and is worth trying if you haven't come across the four-element bonus format before.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Elements: The Awakening?
Elements: The Awakening has an RTP of 96.02%, which sits slightly above the 96% midpoint commonly used as a benchmark for online slots.
How does the Avalanche mechanic work in Elements: The Awakening?
Instead of spinning reels, symbols fall into position from above. When a winning combination lands, those symbols are removed and remaining symbols drop down with new ones filling the gaps. This can produce several wins from a single paid spin.
How do you trigger the Free Falls bonus?
Four consecutive Avalanches within the game fill the Element Energy bar and trigger 10 Free Falls. The element with the most energy at that point determines which of the four Storm Wild modes activates.
What are the four Free Falls modes?
Fire Storm wilds spread to adjacent positions; Air Storm wilds shift to new positions after every Avalanche; Earth Storm wilds stay in place until they contribute to a win; Water Storm wilds expand to cover the full reel vertically.
What is the maximum win in Elements: The Awakening?
The maximum win is 800x your total bet. The low to medium volatility means this game is designed for regular session activity rather than large outlier wins.
Does Elements: The Awakening work on mobile?
Yes. The game runs in HTML5 and works across desktop, tablet and mobile browsers without requiring a separate app or plugin.
Where to Play Elements: The Awakening
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including Elements: The Awakening. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Elements: The Awakening RTP and Variance
Elements: The Awakening has an RTP of 96.02%, which is above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. Low-medium volatility gives a good balance between regular payouts and occasional bigger hits.
At the minimum bet of £0.20 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 50 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.60. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.
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