Overview: What Is Book of Dead?
Book of Dead is a 5-reel, 10-payline video slot developed by Play'n GO, set in the world of ancient Egypt. It follows the adventurer Rich Wilde as he searches for treasures among pharaohs and gods. First released in 2016, it has remained one of the most consistently popular slots in online casinos across Europe and beyond.
Its enduring appeal comes from a combination of clean mechanics, a high-volatility profile, and a free spins feature that can deliver significant pay-outs.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Play'n GO |
| Reels / Paylines | 5 reels / 10 paylines |
| RTP | 96.21% |
| Volatility | High |
| Min/Max Bet | Varies by casino (typically £0.01–£100 per spin) |
| Max Win | Up to 5,000x stake in free spins |
Theme and Design
Book of Dead wears its Egyptian theme confidently. The reels feature hieroglyphic card suits at the lower end, and richly illustrated high-value symbols — the Falcon God Horus, the Pharaoh, the Eye of Ra, and the game's central character, Rich Wilde himself. The gold-and-black aesthetic is polished without being cluttered, and the atmospheric soundtrack keeps the mood without becoming intrusive.
Core Mechanics
The gameplay is deliberately stripped back. You set your bet, spin, and hope to land matching symbols across one of 10 paylines running left to right. The paytable is steep — the top symbol (Rich Wilde) pays 500x your bet for five of a kind, which on a £1 spin means £500. The gap between high and low symbols is wide, which is part of what drives the game's high volatility.
The Book Symbol: Wild and Scatter
The Book of Dead symbol serves dual duty as both wild and scatter. As a wild, it substitutes for all other symbols. As a scatter, landing three or more anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins feature — no payline required.
Free Spins Feature
Landing three or more Books awards 10 free spins. Before the feature begins, one symbol is randomly selected as a special expanding symbol. During the free spins, if that symbol lands in three or more positions anywhere on the reels, it expands to fill those entire reels and pays as though the full reel is covered — regardless of payline position.
This is where Book of Dead's biggest wins come from. If the expanding symbol is Rich Wilde and it fills multiple reels, the payout can be substantial. The feature can also be retriggered by landing three more Book symbols during free spins.
What Makes It Stand Out?
- Simplicity: No cascades, Megaways™, or complex multi-feature systems. One clear path to big wins.
- High ceiling: The expanding symbol mechanic means the free spins can occasionally deliver very large pays.
- Consistent availability: It's stocked at virtually every licensed online casino, making it easy to find and compare RTP versions.
- Fair RTP: At 96.21%, it's above average for the industry.
Who Is It Best Suited For?
Book of Dead suits players who enjoy high-volatility, high-ceiling slots and don't mind extended base-game play between bonus triggers. It is not well suited to players with small budgets who want frequent wins — the base game can be dry for many spins before the Book appears three times.
If you enjoy games like Gonzo's Quest, Dead or Alive 2, or other volatility-focused titles, Book of Dead will feel very familiar in tone and structure.
Final Thoughts
Book of Dead's longevity speaks for itself. In a market flooded with increasingly complex slot mechanics, its clean design and high-reward free spins feature continue to attract players. It's a well-crafted game with transparent mechanics and a respectable RTP — an excellent benchmark for understanding what high-volatility slot play feels like.