ABOUT MAYA U MAX
With only a year under their belt, GONG Gaming Technologies were under no pressure to release a hit such as Maya U Max. This 5 reel, 3-row online slot takes you on a journey through the ancient Mayan times, dating back to 250 A.D. The large jewel, letter and number symbols, and jungle and flute sound effects set the tone from the outset. The thematic experience is reminiscent of popular Mayan culture games provided by Microgaming, such as Mayan Princess and Mayan Eagle.
However, while there are similarities between Microgaming slots, the U Max mechanism is the stand-out feature of this game. This allows for other symbols to clutch onto the reels boosting the maximum win potential even further. The visuals and audio are up to standard in terms of quality, considering GONG Gaming Technologies are new on the block. The only nip pick that may not appeal to all players is the size of the grid within the game as it takes over the entire screen.
Apart from the layout, this medium to high volatility slot presented us with frequent wins within our slot testing, backed up by the hit frequency of 29.14%. In terms of Return to Play rate, Maya U Max sits at 95.69%, which again is satisfactory for frequent punters. Targeted to a general crowd of gamblers, the betting range starts at just £0.10 and reaches a high of £12.
THEMES, SYMBOLS, AND PAYTABLE
Within the paytable, the vibrant yet primary symbols increase in value systematically. Starting with the low-paying symbols of card royals from A-9 consisting of typical Mayan colours and characteristics. Gathering 5 low playing symbols in a line provides a payout of x1.5 to x2 the bet amount.
In comparison, the more profitable symbols consist of coloured gems, which increase in value beginning with purple through to blue, green, red, and yellow. These symbols are worth 30x to 100x the stake. There is also a Wild symbol in classic slot fashion that serves to substitute any of the conventional symbols. However, this Wild does not carry any value within the game.
RTP, VARIANCE, AND PAYOUTS
Maya U Max slot has a medium-high math model, perfect for players on a quest for some juicy wins. The maximum win potential for players lucky enough sits at a generous x20,000 the initial stake. This astronomical max bet will give you the chance of life-changing winnings up to £240,000.
GAMEPLAY AND FEATURES
Diving into this Mayan-themed video slot, players have 243 ways to within the base game. Once U Max symbols appear on the middle three reels, they expand the number of ways to win up to 155,552. Furthermore, within free spins, all 5 reels have the ability to carry 12 symbols making the potential number of ways to win 248,832.
MAYA U MAX PAYOUTS
Players can spin for the top prize of a payout of 20,000 times their bet amount with a minimum of £0.1 and a maximum of £12. As discussed in the paytable, there are numerous low-playing and premium symbols increasing in value from 12.5x up to 100x. The Wild symbol does not have its own value; it solely acts as a substitute for symbols.
MAYA U MAX – MECHANISM
GONG Gaming Technologies, best known for their U Max feature, dramatically increasing the number of ways to win within the game. In the base game, the three middle reels are susceptible to obtaining a U max tile. As a U Max symbol land on a reel, the 4 mini symbols within the grid above that the reel take the pace of the U Max symbol. The entire reel can contain U Max symbols, which would amount to 12 mini symbols per reel. Over the three U Max reels, the top format is 3-12-12-12-3, which provides 15,552 ways to win.
MAYA U MAX – FREE SPINS
One last symbol remains in the Maya U Max slot, acting as a scatter. This scatter symbol is presented in the form of the golden mask symbol. If 5 scatters are presented on the reels either as mini or regular symbols, it actives 5 free spins. The more scatters that join the reels keep adding more free spins, with a total amounting to 36.
Within the free spins bonus feature, the U Max mechanism now takes over all 5 reels increasing the number of ways to win to 248,832 with a maximum grid shown as 12-12-12-12-12.
OUR VERDICT
The Maya U Max mechanism is clearly exciting, ensuring the pace of the game is lively. This is certainly a big win for this new software developer exhibiting their reel expansion and splitting symbols system. However, while this is the main event, it seems as if the undercard does not offer as much as we would expect. Overall Maya U Max slot appeals to the masses; with a decent 95.69% RTP, this medium-high variance slot has stamped GONG Gaming Technologies on the map. Expect to find Maya U Max at all the best UK slot sites within newly released games.
