Book of Atem: the Egyptian book slot
Book of Atem is the Games Global entry in the long line of Egyptian book slots, a format where a special book symbol acts as both scatter and wild and free spins reward an expanding symbol. It does not reinvent the genre, but it executes it cleanly with a tomb raiding theme and a familiar, reliable feature set. Here is a straight look at how Book of Atem plays and how it sits next to its many rivals.
What kind of slot it is
This is a five reel, ten payline slot set in an ancient Egyptian tomb, with a pharaoh, an explorer and classic card symbols on the reels. The driving symbol is the book, which does double duty as the scatter that triggers free spins and the wild that substitutes for other symbols. The structure will feel instantly familiar to anyone who has played a book style slot before. If that format is new to you, our guide to slots explains scatters, wilds and free spins before you stake anything real.
The expanding symbol
The defining feature of the book genre, and of Book of Atem, is the expanding symbol in free spins. When you trigger the bonus the game selects one symbol at random, and during the round that symbol can expand to cover a whole reel and pay across the lines as if it were everywhere on it. Land the expanding symbol on the right reels and a single free spin can pay far more than the base game ever would. That one mechanic is the heart of the format and the reason it remains so popular.
The free spins feature
Three or more books trigger the free spins, and the round can usually be retriggered if more books land while it runs, extending the chance for the expanding symbol to line up. The feature is clean and direct, with no extra layers to learn, which fits the no nonsense character of the genre. Our bonuses explainer is a useful read if you want to compare the value of a slot's own features with the deposit offers casinos advertise.
RTP and volatility
Games Global supplies its slots to operators in more than one RTP build, so the figure on the version you load can vary between casinos. Always read the number on the game's own info screen, and our RTP explainer covers what it means over a long run if it is unclear. Volatility is high, as it is across the book genre. The value is concentrated in the free spins and the luck of the expanding symbol, so the base game can run quiet before the bonus delivers. Our volatility guide explains why a high variance slot calls for patience and a bankroll that can absorb the lean spells.
How to play Book of Atem
Play it the way you would any high variance book slot. Choose a stake your balance can sustain across many spins, because the free spins arrive infrequently and the expanding symbol does not always cooperate when they do. Set a session budget before the first spin and stop when you reach it, win or lose. The bonus is the goal, but chasing it with bigger bets only empties a bankroll faster. Our responsible gambling tools let you set a deposit or loss cap in advance so the decision is made while you are calm.
Is Book of Atem worth playing?
Strengths: a clean, reliable take on a proven format, the genuine excitement of the expanding symbol, and a theme that suits the mechanic well. Weaknesses: it brings little new to a crowded genre, the variance is high, and many sessions will end without the bonus paying off. It suits players who already enjoy Egyptian book slots and want a solid version from a major studio. Anyone seeking originality or frequent wins should look elsewhere. It is entertainment, never an income plan. For more from the studio read our Games Global review, and pick a licensed site from our casino reviews. 18+.
Book of Atem FAQ
How does the expanding symbol work in Book of Atem?
When you trigger free spins the game picks one symbol at random. During the round that symbol can expand to fill a whole reel and pay across the lines, which is where the biggest wins in the game come from.
What is the volatility of Book of Atem?
It is high, as with most book style slots. The value sits in the free spins and the expanding symbol, so the base game can run quiet between bonus rounds.
Where can I play Book of Atem?
It is available at many licensed casinos carrying the Games Global catalogue. Choose a regulated site from our casino reviews, check the RTP on the info screen, and set a budget before you spin. 18+.