Imagine yourself cracking open a dusty old storybook and finding the pages still warm from battle. Once Again Upon A Time brings players back to a lively medieval kingdom where dragons loom, treasures shine, and every spin feels like the start of a new journey. This follow-up from Betsoft leans into visual impact while keeping the gameplay quick and effective. Expect stacked symbols, respin tension, and a Hold & Win feature that can shift the session from relaxed spinning to edge-of-your-seat stuff faster than a last-over finish at the cricket. Stick around – there’s proper potential hidden behind those castle gates.
Once Again Upon A Time runs on a classic 5×3 layout with 25 fixed paylines, but the experience feels modern thanks to numerous features and a high-volatility framework. Wins can arrive quietly for a stretch before the game flips gears with bonus rounds capable of hefty payouts. The RTP sits around the 96% mark – right in the pocket for players who prefer balanced long-term value.
The theme embraces a colourful fable. Think lush valleys, heroic characters, and a soundtrack that keeps things lively without becoming repetitive. It’s enjoyable enough for casual spins yet structured to satisfy veteran pokie fans chasing bigger moments.
Quick Stats:
Developer: Betsoft
Reels & Layout: 5×3
Paylines: 25 fixed
Volatility: High
RTP: 96%
Min/Max Bet: 25¢ – $30
Top Payout: 12,500x bet per line
Key Features: Hold and Win Feature, Mystery Bonus, Royal Fortune, Free Spins, Wild, Stacked Mystery Symbols, Buy Bonus
Platforms: Desktop, Mobile, Instant Play
Available at: Ripper Casino games lobby
The first thing you’ll notice is the colour – bright greens, polished armour, and a castle that looks straight out of a Saturday arvo fantasy binge. It doesn’t try to rethink the genre, but the execution feels tidy and solid.
Animations move smoothly, which matters when you’re settling in for a longer session. Symbol clarity also helps; you won’t squint to track wins, even on mobile.
What stands out most is how quickly the features reveal themselves. Mystery stacks drop in before spins, teasing possible full-reel matches, while Bonus symbols hint at the Hold & Win round waiting beneath the surface. It’s the pokie equivalent of hearing thunder before the storm – something worthwhile could be brewing.
Land six Bonus symbols, or five alongside a Boost symbol, and you’ll trigger three respins. Symbols lock in place, respins reset with each new addition, and filling the grid unlocks the Grand prize potential.
During Hold & Win, the mystery bonus symbol transforms into a random jackpot tier or Boost. It keeps suspense high right until the feature wraps.
Whenever a Bonus symbol lands in the base game or free spins, there’s a chance the Hold & Win activates randomly. Handy when your patience runs thin.
Three Scatter symbols award eight free spins, stripping away lower-paying royals so premium icons dominate the reels.
The crowned shield substitutes for most symbols and pays up to 12x the bet on its own when five land.
Before each spin, mystery positions convert into one matching symbol. This could mean wall-to-wall premiums.
Feeling bold? Pay roughly 65x your stake to jump straight into Hold & Win territory.
High volatility means this isn’t built for constant small wins. Expect quieter stretches interrupted by meaningful hits – very much a “stay the course” setup.
The headline number is the 12,500x max payout. On the $30 top bet, that’s theoretically $375,000, though most players will chase more modest prizes. Bonus symbols typically carry values from around 1x to 15x, while jackpot tiers can climb much higher.
Free spins improve odds by removing lower symbols, and the Boost mechanic can inflate Bonus values during Hold & Win. When everything aligns, the feature feels genuinely relevant rather than decorative.
In short: not a pokie for impatient bankrolls, but ideal if you enjoy the suspense that builds before a feature lands.
Once Again Upon A Time ticks plenty of boxes: a recognisable theme, clear mechanics, and feature rounds with real upside. It doesn’t rely on gimmicks – just solid structure and the volatility many Aussie players appreciate.
If you enjoy sessions where anticipation builds before the reels finally deliver, this one deserves a spot on your go-to list. Fire up the demo at Ripper Casino to get a feel for the rhythm, then switch to real stakes when you’re ready. Sometimes the sequel really does hold its own.
