The Great Escape £100 jackpot fruit machine from JPM is the new update to the classic Great Escape from Maygay many years ago. This version is housed in the Barcrest bubble cabinet, with Crystal branded reels and decals.
Some of you may remember the hidden barcode features from classic Maygay’s, well these have been re-introduced and work with 3-2-1 and 1-2-3 bars on the win line. Once active, a button combination is needed to award the hidden feature. The features are all different, so time will tell if any of them are any good, but it is a great addition to modern fruit machines.
Feature entry is awarded the same as you would expect from many other fruit machines; via a reel win, any three symbols in view, or direct on the win line for an enhanced game. The feature game has borrowed off many other fruit machines to give a recognisable gaming experience, with the progressive win spins, nudges and reel blasts. These awards only become available whilst progressing around the board if you land on an Open the Tunnel square, so you may have situation where you may build up a large amount of reel blasts or win spins and not be able to collect them.
There is a progressive streak feature that is collectable from a minimum of one stick of dynamite up to a maximum of seven. This is very similar to the progressive streak from Deal or No Deal Lucky Streak, with each additional dynamite increasing the value of the streak. Don’t expect the first two to be worth any more than £5, with a gradual progression from then on.
Like almost every fruit machine of late, the top super feature is a clone on Deal or No Deal, awarded by landing three super features direct on the reels or by adding a total of three passports during feature play. Squares can be high – lowed to help you along with awarding the Great Escape super feature, which can then be collected to begin the super bonus game.
The cash awards range from 1p up to £100, there is no mega streak. The box is hidden behind a panel that is only revealed if you collect an offer or play to the end, or you may be able to make it out from markings on the reels. I don’t believe it is random, which is a major disappointment for fair game play.
