Viking Forge
Viking Forge
Last updated on October 5th, 2025
Every forge has its masterpieces and its failed experiments. Here’s my honest critique from the workshop.
The fires of the forge, the clash of the hammer, the indomitable spirit of the Viking warrior—it’s a theme that promises power and riches. Today, the master smiths at Pragmatic Play are inviting us to their legendary workshop in their epic and feature-packed new release, Viking Forge. This game takes the beloved “Pay Anywhere” engine and adds a fantastic new “Coin Collection” feature, where every win can contribute to a growing treasure hoard. With a 10,000x jackpot waiting to be forged, the question is, do you have the strength to wield the hammer? Let’s find out.
From the moment you enter the forge, you are surrounded by the immense heat and power of a Viking blacksmith’s workshop. The game’s large 6×5 grid is set against the backdrop of a cavernous forge, with lava flowing in rivers and sparks flying from the anvil. The art style is a superb, high-quality cartoon aesthetic with a gritty edge that perfectly captures the feeling of a grand, Norse adventure.
The symbols on the reels are a collection of Viking icons and tools of the trade. The high-paying symbols are a mighty Viking warrior, a war hammer, a sharp sword, and a frothing mug of mead. The low-paying symbols are the familiar 10-to-Ace royals, carved from ancient runestones. The game uses a Pay Anywhere system, meaning you win by landing 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the screen. The sound design is a fantastic, epic orchestral score with powerful drums and heroic choirs that makes every spin feel like a strike of the hammer.
This is where Viking Forge reveals its master craftsmanship. This is a very highly volatile slot with a solid RTP of 96.05%. The gameplay is a brilliant combination of the “Pay Anywhere” engine and the innovative new Coin Collection feature.
Tumbling Reels & Coin Collection: The game uses the classic Tumble feature. After any win, winning symbols are removed, and new ones fall from above. The unique twist here is the Coin Collection feature.
Free Spins Feature: The main event is triggered by landing 4 or more Scatter symbols, which awards a minimum of 10 free spins. This is where the forge’s true potential is unleashed.
During the Free Spins, the Coin Collection meter becomes persistent. It does not reset between spins. Every coin value you collect is added to the meter, which continuously grows throughout the entire bonus round. The grand total of this meter is then paid out at the very end of the feature. This creates an incredible sense of building towards one massive, final prize.
So, is Viking Forge a game worthy of the gods? My verdict is a resounding yes. This slot is a fantastic evolution of the “Pay Anywhere” engine, adding a new layer of collection and progression that is both strategic and incredibly exciting. The feeling of watching that persistent prize pot grow in the free spins is second to none.
This game is built for the fan of modern, high-volatility slots who loves the thrill of building towards a massive final payout. If you are a fan of Gates of Olympus but want a new mechanical twist that gives you a clear goal to build towards, this is the perfect game for you.
When looking for comparisons, it takes the “Pay Anywhere” engine from Gates of Olympus and fuses it with a “bonus pot” collection feature similar in spirit to the one found in Jeitinho Brasileiro, creating a best-of-both-worlds experience. Viking Forge is a top-tier slot that offers a thrilling and deeply rewarding adventure.
Paying symbols can land with a “Coin” overlay that has a cash or multiplier value. If that symbol is part of a win, its coin value is added to a meter. In the base game, this meter pays out at the end of the spin. In the free spins, the meter accumulates for the whole round and pays out at the end.
Cash value coins add a direct bet multiplier to the meter (e.g., 5x your bet). Multiplier coins add a multiplier (e.g., x2) that will be applied to the total value of all cash coins collected in that meter at the end of the spin/feature.
During the Free Spins, all coin values (both cash and multipliers) you collect are added to a single, persistent prize pot. At the very end of the bonus round, the total value of this pot is awarded to you as one grand prize.
Due to its very high volatility and its unique, multi-layered collection feature, this game is generally better suited for experienced players who are comfortable with high-risk gameplay and enjoy deeper mechanics.