Planet of the Apes is a unique dual-reel video slot developed by NetEnt in collaboration with 20th Century Fox. Released in late 2017, this innovative game features two parallel play areas based on the Rise and Dawn films, offering 10 reels and 40 paylines with distinctive bonus features for each zone.
Planet of the Apes slot stands as one of NetEnt's most ambitious releases, combining innovative dual-reel mechanics with premium licensed content from 20th Century Fox. This game breaks conventional slot design by presenting players with two simultaneous play areas, each representing a different film from the rebooted franchise. The Rise zone on the left and Dawn zone on the right operate independently yet harmoniously, creating a gaming experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
The visual presentation immediately captures attention with its cinematic quality. High-definition character symbols from both films populate the reels, while the background showcases the distinctive atmospheres of each movie. The interface manages to present ten reels worth of information without overwhelming the player, a testament to thoughtful design execution. Sound design complements the visuals with orchestral themes that evoke the epic scope of the source material.
The fundamental structure consists of two five-reel, three-row configurations positioned side by side. Each area contains 20 fixed paylines, bringing the total to 40 paylines active on every spin. Bets are placed across both zones simultaneously, with the minimum stake typically starting at 0.20 currency units and maximum bets reaching 200 units, though these limits may vary by casino operator.
Symbol sets differ between the two play areas, reflecting characters and elements from their respective films. The Rise zone features symbols including Caesar as a younger ape, human characters from the first film, and thematic icons. The Dawn zone showcases the evolved ape society with mature Caesar, Koba, and symbols representing the more advanced ape civilization. Both zones share similar symbol hierarchies with character symbols offering premium payouts and card rank symbols providing base wins.
Premium symbols deliver the highest returns, with five-of-a-kind combinations of top character symbols paying between 150 and 750 coins depending on the specific symbol and play area. Mid-tier character symbols typically award 50 to 100 coins for maximum combinations. Lower-paying card rank symbols from 10 through Ace provide 20 to 40 coins for five matching symbols.
The paytable structure maintains balance across both play areas, ensuring neither zone significantly outperforms the other in base game potential. This equilibrium keeps player attention distributed across both reel sets rather than focusing exclusively on one area. Wins are calculated independently for each zone, then combined for the total spin result.
Each play area contains its own wild symbol, represented by distinctive ape-themed imagery. These wilds substitute for all standard symbols except scatters, functioning as expected in creating winning combinations. The wild symbols appear on reels two, three, and four in both zones during the base game.
What elevates the wild functionality beyond standard substitution is the stacked wild feature. During any base game spin, one reel in either or both play areas can be randomly selected to display stacked wilds. When this occurs, the entire reel fills with wild symbols, dramatically increasing the potential for multiple simultaneous winning combinations across that zone's paylines.
The separation of wild symbols between Rise and Dawn zones creates interesting dynamics. A stacked wild reel in the Rise area does not affect Dawn calculations, and vice versa. However, both zones can simultaneously trigger stacked wilds on the same spin, leading to substantial combined payouts. This independent yet parallel structure defines the core appeal of the dual-reel system.
The Rise play area activates its bonus round when three or more scatter symbols land anywhere on its reels. The scatter symbol is clearly marked and appears only in the Rise zone. Landing three scatters awards 10 free spins, four scatters grant 15 free spins, and five scatters provide 20 free spins.
During Rise free spins, the feature introduces a collect meter mechanism. Every wild symbol that lands during the bonus round is collected. Upon collecting a certain number of wilds, additional free spins are awarded, and a multiplier may increase. This collection system adds a progressive element to the bonus round, where early wild appearances build toward enhanced rewards later in the feature.
The Rise free spins play out exclusively on the left reel set. The Dawn area continues to spin normally during this feature, meaning players can potentially trigger Dawn bonuses while Rise free spins are active, though this requires exceptional timing as both features would then run concurrently.
The dual reel system in Planet of the Apes represents an innovative approach to slot design where two independent reel sets operate simultaneously. Each spin activates both the Rise and Dawn zones, with wins calculated separately across 20 paylines per area. This structure doubles the action while maintaining clear gameplay mechanics that players can easily follow.
The game employs medium to high volatility with an RTP of approximately 96.33 percent, positioning it competitively within the NetEnt portfolio. The dual structure allows for varied bonus triggers, where each play area has distinct free spins features and wild mechanics that activate independently, creating multiple paths to significant wins during a single gaming session.
The Dawn zone has its own distinct scatter symbol and bonus trigger mechanism. Landing three or more Dawn scatters anywhere on the right reel set initiates the Dawn free spins. The initial spin allocation follows the same structure as Rise: 10 spins for three scatters, 15 for four, and 20 for five.
Dawn free spins employ a different mechanic than their Rise counterpart. Instead of a collection system, the Dawn feature utilizes expanding wild symbols. When wild symbols land during Dawn free spins, they expand to cover the entire reel, similar to the stacked wild effect but guaranteed rather than random. This expansion occurs on reels two, three, and four, potentially creating three full wild reels simultaneously.
The guaranteed expanding wilds in Dawn free spins create higher volatility compared to the Rise feature. While Rise builds gradually through collection mechanics, Dawn offers immediate high-impact potential with multiple expanded wild reels. This contrast in bonus design gives players varied experiences depending on which feature triggers.
Though rare, both bonus features can trigger on the same spin if scatters land in both zones simultaneously. When this occurs, both free spins features run concurrently, with Rise spins playing on the left and Dawn spins on the right. This creates the ultimate expression of the dual-reel concept, with two distinct bonus mechanics operating in parallel. The combined win potential during simultaneous bonuses represents the game's maximum payout scenario.
Planet of the Apes operates with an RTP of approximately 96.33 percent, placing it in the favorable range for modern video slots. This return rate applies to the combined action of both play areas. The game exhibits medium-high volatility, meaning wins occur with moderate frequency but significant payouts typically require bonus feature activation.
The volatility profile suits players who prefer substantial wins over frequent small returns. Base game sessions can experience dry spells between significant hits, but the dual-reel structure provides more frequent small wins than a single reel set would offer. The bonus features, particularly Dawn free spins with expanding wilds, deliver the majority of large payout potential.
Bankroll management becomes important given the volatility characteristics. The 40-payline structure and dual-zone betting mean each spin covers substantial ground, but the fixed payline configuration prevents bet adjustment beyond the total stake amount. Players should select bet levels that allow for extended play through variance swings while maintaining the potential to capitalize when bonus features trigger.
While slots remain games of chance without skill-based influence on outcomes, understanding Planet of the Apes mechanics allows for informed session management. The dual-zone structure means every spin offers two separate opportunities for scatter symbol appearance, effectively doubling bonus trigger chances compared to single-reel games with equivalent scatter requirements.
Patience proves valuable given the medium-high volatility. Bonus features drive the majority of significant returns, and these may require substantial base game play to trigger. The stacked wild feature in the base game provides interim wins that help sustain bankroll between bonus rounds. Recognizing that both zones contribute to overall returns helps maintain perspective during sessions where one area outperforms the other temporarily.
Bet sizing should account for the 40-payline structure and volatility profile. Conservative bets extend playing time and increase the probability of reaching bonus features, where the real win potential exists. Aggressive betting may produce faster results but carries higher risk of depleting bankroll before features trigger. The game's design rewards sustained play rather than short high-stakes sessions.
NetEnt built Planet of the Apes using HTML5 technology, ensuring full compatibility across desktop, tablet, and smartphone devices. The mobile version maintains all features and functionality of the desktop game without compromise. The interface adapts intelligently to smaller screens, with the dual reel sets stacking vertically on portrait orientation or remaining side-by-side in landscape mode.
Performance remains smooth across devices, with quick load times and responsive controls. The graphical quality scales appropriately to device capabilities while preserving the cinematic presentation that defines the game's visual appeal. Touch controls feel natural, with clear buttons for spin, bet adjustment, and menu access. The paytable and game rules remain fully accessible on mobile, presented in easily navigable format.
Planet of the Apes distinguishes itself within the licensed slot category through its dual-reel innovation rather than relying solely on brand recognition. While many licensed games simply apply themed graphics to standard mechanics, this title integrates its source material into fundamental gameplay structure. The Rise and Dawn zones directly reflect the two films, creating thematic coherence between license and mechanics.
Compared to other NetEnt licensed slots like Jurassic Park or Guns N' Roses, Planet of the Apes offers more complex gameplay through its dual-zone system. This complexity appeals to experienced players seeking depth beyond standard five-reel formats. The trade-off comes in learning curve, as new players must understand two separate bonus systems rather than one unified feature set.
The production values match or exceed other premium licensed slots in the NetEnt catalog. Character rendering, animation quality, and audio design all meet the high standards expected from top-tier licensed content. The game successfully captures the atmosphere of its source films while maintaining the clarity and functionality required for effective slot gameplay.
Planet of the Apes represents a successful fusion of innovative mechanics and premium licensed content. The dual-reel system provides genuine gameplay differentiation rather than superficial novelty, with the Rise and Dawn zones offering distinct experiences within a unified game structure. The separate bonus features maintain player engagement through varied mechanics, while the stacked wild system adds excitement to base game spins.
The medium-high volatility and 96.33 percent RTP position the game competitively for players seeking substantial win potential with reasonable return rates. The 40-payline structure across dual zones creates frequent action without overwhelming complexity. Visual and audio presentation honors the source material while maintaining the functional clarity necessary for effective slot design.
This slot suits players who appreciate mechanical innovation and can manage the volatility inherent in feature-driven games. The dual-zone concept may initially seem complex, but the parallel structure becomes intuitive quickly. For those seeking a slot experience that goes beyond standard formats while delivering solid mathematical performance, Planet of the Apes stands as a compelling choice within the NetEnt portfolio and the broader licensed slot category.
The game has an RTP of approximately 96.33 percent, which is competitive for modern video slots. This return rate applies to the combined action across both the Rise and Dawn play areas.
Each spin activates both the Rise and Dawn zones simultaneously, with each area containing five reels and 20 paylines. Wins are calculated independently for each zone then combined for your total payout. Both areas have their own wild symbols, scatters, and bonus features.
Yes, though it is rare, both Rise and Dawn free spins can trigger on the same spin if scatter symbols land in both zones simultaneously. When this occurs, both bonus rounds play out concurrently, creating maximum win potential.
Rise free spins use a collection mechanic where wild symbols are gathered to award additional spins and multipliers. Dawn free spins feature guaranteed expanding wilds that cover entire reels when they land, creating different volatility and win patterns.
Minimum bets typically start at 0.20 currency units while maximum bets can reach 200 units per spin, though exact limits may vary depending on the casino operator. The bet covers all 40 paylines across both play areas.
Yes, the game is fully optimized for mobile play using HTML5 technology. It works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets with all features intact, adapting the dual-reel layout to fit different screen sizes and orientations.
Planet of the Apes has medium to high volatility, meaning wins occur with moderate frequency but significant payouts typically come from bonus features. This suits players who prefer larger wins over frequent small returns and can manage variance swings.
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