Book of Dead is a flagship title from Play’n GO that transports players into an ancient Egyptian tomb in search of hidden treasure. With its simple mechanics, high volatility, and one of the most recognisable bonus features in online slots (the expanding symbol in free spins), this game remains a firm favourite years after its release. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the game’s theme, mechanics, features, and winning potential.
In Book of Dead you play as the adventurer Rich Wilde, exploring forgotten crypts and golden chambers. The backdrop features hieroglyphics, blazing torches and treasures buried deep in ancient sands. The reels display stylised Egyptian motifs: gods, pharaohs, and artefacts interwoven with playing-card icons. The graphics are polished and atmospheric, and the soundtrack underscores the adventure with mysterious musical cues and temple-like ambience.
Book of Dead uses a 5×3 layout with up to 10 paylines. Wins are formed when matching symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right on an active payline.
As a high-volatility game, it may give smaller wins less frequently, but when the wins arrive, they can be significantly large. The standard RTP is 96.21%, although some casino versions offer lowered RTPs, such as 94.25%.
The maximum advertised win potential is 5,000× your bet in a single spin.
Lower-value symbols include card icons (10, J, Q, K, A), while higher-value symbols feature Horus, Anubis, Pharaoh, and Rich Wilde himself. The special symbol, the Book of Dead, acts as both Wild and Scatter. As a Wild, it substitutes for any symbol to complete wins. As a Scatter, 3 or more trigger the Free Spins feature.
During Free Spins, a random regular symbol becomes the special expanding symbol. When it lands, it expands to cover its entire reel, significantly increasing win potential since expanded symbols do not need to land adjacently to pay.
Landing 3 or more Book symbols triggers the Free Spins round and awards 10 Free Spins. The expanding symbol mechanic is active throughout the feature, and additional Book symbols can retrigger the round for even more spins.
The Book of Dead franchise has endured largely because of this simple yet powerful combination of Free Spins and a single expanding symbol.
To summarise, Book of Dead is a high-volatility slot, ideal for players who enjoy high risk and the potential for large rewards. Its RTP of 96.21% varies depending on the casino, but the slot’s high-win potential of 5,000× your original bet keeps it attractive to thrill-seekers.
Big wins often come from the Free Spins feature, especially when the selected expanding symbol is one of the premium icons.
Designed in HTML5, Book of Dead by Play'n GO is fully optimised for desktops, tablets and smartphones. The interface is intuitive and uncluttered, making it easy to adjust paylines, bets, autoplay and spin settings. The mobile version retains all features of the desktop version while maintaining crisp visuals and smooth animations.
For those who appreciate classic designs with the potential for big wins, Book of Dead by Play'n GO stands out as one of the finest options. Its simple structure, timeless theme, and powerful expanding symbol mechanic work strongly in its favour.
It is perfect for players who enjoy high volatility and the chance to chase massive payouts. Conversely, players who seek frequent smaller wins may find the game too intense for their preference.
Book of Dead remains a true classic — a slot that continues to offer exceptional entertainment and winning potential.
