| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.88% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | High |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 1 |
| Bet Range | £0.20 - £400.00 |
| Hit Frequency | 33.00% |
| Max Win | 21,148x |
| Features | Wilds, Scatters, Bonus Rounds |
Lost Relics is a NetEnt slot built on a 5x5 grid with a cluster pays mechanic - there are no traditional paylines. Instead, wins form when six or more matching symbols connect in a cluster. Released in 2018, the game carries a dungeon-exploration theme, with stone-carved symbols, scattered torches, and an atmosphere that sits somewhere between ancient ruins and fantasy adventure.
The RTP is 96.3% and volatility is medium-high. Bets run from £0.20 to £400 per spin.
How Cluster Pays Works
On a standard grid, paylines run left to right across defined paths. Lost Relics drops that structure entirely. Here, a win requires at least six identical symbols touching horizontally or vertically anywhere on the 5x5 grid. Larger clusters pay more. This changes the way the game feels - small clusters of four or five symbols land without paying anything, but a sprawling cluster of ten or twelve symbols across the grid can produce a substantial return.
After a win, winning symbols are removed and new ones fall in from above, giving the cascade mechanic another chance to form a cluster in the same spin. Cascades continue until no new cluster forms.
Base Game Modifiers
After any winning spin in the base game, one of three random modifiers can trigger:
- Coin Win - one winning symbol pays a coin prize worth 3x to 30x your stake. Up to five modifiers can stack on a single spin, so the maximum coin prize from this modifier alone reaches 150x stake.
- Extra Wild - three additional wild symbols are placed at random on the grid. Stacking five of these adds fifteen wilds to the reels at once, which dramatically increases cluster formation.
- Extra Scatter - one symbol in the winning cluster converts to a scatter, moving you closer to triggering free spins.
These modifiers are random and cannot be predicted, but the stacking mechanic means a good run in the base game can build quickly before the free spins round even starts.
Free Spins and the Hidden Chest Feature
Three scatter symbols landing on reels 1, 3, and 5 simultaneously trigger 10 free spins. This is where Lost Relics earns its reputation.
During free spins, stone tiles cover parts of the reels. Beneath those tiles are hidden chests. When a winning cluster touches a covered tile, it flips over and reveals part of a chest. Once a chest is fully uncovered, it opens and awards a feature - either additional free spins, sticky wilds that stay in place for the remainder of the bonus round, or a cash prize.
Chests come in three sizes:
- Small chest (2x1 tiles) - awards 3 to 5 feature instances
- Medium chest (2x2 tiles) - awards 6 to 10 feature instances
- Large chest (3x2 tiles) - awards 11 to 15 feature instances
Sticky wilds from the chest feature accumulate across the free spins round, and the combination of wilds pinned across a 5x5 grid with cascading clusters is where the game's biggest wins come from. The chest feature gives the free spins round a sense of progression - you are not just waiting for the round to end, you are actively uncovering the board.
RTP and Volatility
The 96.3% RTP sits slightly above the industry average, which tends to cluster around 95.5% to 96%. Medium-high volatility means wins do not land on every spin, but the cluster mechanic and cascades mean a single good spin can chain into several payouts before settling. The modifier stacking in the base game and the chest accumulation in free spins both contribute to the variance - most sessions will be relatively flat, with the big returns concentrated in a smaller number of significant moments.
Mobile
Lost Relics runs in any modern mobile browser with no download required. NetEnt's HTML5 build scales cleanly to smaller screens, and the 5x5 grid translates well to portrait mode. Controls are minimal - tap to spin, swipe to adjust the bet. The game plays identically to desktop.
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Where to Play Lost Relics
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including Lost Relics. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Lost Relics RTP and Variance
Lost Relics has an RTP of 96.88%, which is above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. High volatility means wins come less often but tend to be significantly larger. Explore our high volatility slots guide.
At the minimum bet of £0.20 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 50 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.69. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.
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