| Updated: Nolimit City’s slots often feature disturbing topics, and Remember Gulag is no exception. This time, the developers at Nolimit City have embraced a Soviet theme that combines messages of remembrance and anti-war sentiment with gloomy imagery and satire.
On the technical side, the game features 6 reels in total, although two are inactive during the base game, and offers 144 ways to win. In typical Nolimit City fashion, players can enjoy numerous extra features, including several free-spin modes, multipliers, and Wild symbols with unique mechanics.
Remember Gulag Theme, Graphics, and Sounds
Remember Gulag features a theme centered on the infamous Soviet forced labor camps that operated in the first half of the 20th century. The tone of the slot is relatively grim, at least in the base game, which has a muted grayscale palette and reels framed by barbed wire. When triggered, the Gulag Spins feature greets players with a scene of a Gulag camp engulfed in a blizzard. Both backgrounds are well animated, highlighting Nolimit City’s impressive attention to visual detail.
Remember Gulag also has a satirical side, first hinted at by the Saluting Bear symbol. It becomes even more obvious when you land big wins, as the game screen is covered with vibrant illustrations styled after Soviet propaganda posters. In a final humorous twist, the game refers to the largest payout as “Oligarch Status: Achieved.” The music further highlights this contrast: the base game’s soundtrack is an intimidating military march, while the music in Gulag Spins mode is dramatic and inspirational.
Remember Gulag Symbols and Payouts
Remember Gulag has a total of 10 regular symbols, half of which are inspired by the Cyrillic alphabet and appear to represent playing card suits. The first three symbols award players 200x their base bet when six identical icons land on the reels. The King is next, paying 275x your base bet. Finally, the Ace-like icon pays 300x your base bet.
The Saluting Bear pays 400x your base bet for six of a kind. The icon depicting an individual with large square glasses offers the same payout. The next two symbols portray a mysterious figure and a high-ranking military official, with each paying 500x your base bet. The final regular symbol is an illustration of Stalin, and landing six copies awards 600x your base bet.
Among the slot’s special symbols is the xWays symbol, which turns into random regular icons. Another is the xNudge Wild, which serves as Remember Gulag’s stacked Wild. Ordinary Wild symbols are also featured in this slot. In addition, Remember Gulag has a split mechanic triggered by the xSplit Wild. The final symbol is the Red Badge, which serves as the Scatter icon.
Remember Gulag Bonus Mechanics
Remember Gulag offers an abundance of extra features. The first is the Propaganda Bet, which improves your chances of triggering Gulag Spins and guarantees a Scatter symbol on the second reel. The fifth reel is also unlocked whenever you place this bet. The Propaganda Bet costs 20% more than your original stake.
The next feature is called xWays. This symbol appears only on the first and second reels during the base game or on the fifth and sixth reels during Gulag Spins. It occupies the space of either two or three symbols. Its most important characteristic is that it reveals a regular symbol, with the result determined at random. If you receive multiple xWays icons, they will all turn into the same symbol.
Next is the xNudge Wild, a stacked Wild. It nudges up or down until it fully covers the reel, with every nudge increasing the Wild multiplier by 1. If the icon is split by an xSplit Wild, you receive an additional Wild.
Another unique Remember Gulag feature is the xSplit Wild mechanic. These icons can appear on the fifth or sixth reel in the base game or on the first or second reel in the free-spins mode. These symbols split the icons to the left or right of the xSplit Wild. They also interact with special symbols in several ways:
- If the xSplit Wild affects an xWays icon, the latter’s multiplier value is doubled.
- Whenever an xNudge Wild is split by an xSplit Wild, another Wild is added to the reel.
- If an xSplit Wild splits a Scatter symbol, the Scatter is converted into an expanding Wild. This can only happen in the base game.
xSplit Wilds also turn into two regular Wild symbols whenever they land on the reels.
Gulag Spins is the game’s free-spin mode, triggered when you land three or more Scatter symbols during the base game. This bonus begins with a setup spin that determines how many free spins you will receive. In addition, one of the character symbols is selected at random to receive a base multiplier during this mode. During Gulag Spins, Scatter symbols are always split.
The Gulag Spins mode has several variants, the first of which is called Gulag Spins: All Aboard. It is activated by landing four Scatter symbols during the base game or three Scatter symbols during the standard Gulag Spins mode. Here, all top-paying symbols receive a starting multiplier. In addition, the base symbols may receive a 1x or 2x multiplier during the bonus, or their current multiplier value may be doubled.
The final variation is Gulag Spins: Double Vodka, which is triggered by landing five Scatter symbols. Again, all symbols are active, but the multipliers are doubled. During gameplay, the icons can receive additional 2x or 4x multipliers, or their existing multiplier can be doubled. During the free spins, each Scatter symbol grants one additional free spin.
A Nolimit Bonus feature is also available, allowing you to buy different Gulag Spins variations at your convenience.
Closing Thoughts
If you are looking for a game with an interesting take on free-spin features, Remember Gulag offers plenty for players who enjoy games of chance. The animation and artwork are impressive, while the bonus mechanics add further variety to the gameplay. It is also worth noting that Remember Gulag is relatively tame by Nolimit City standards. If you have wanted to explore what Nolimit City has to offer but found the provider’s other products a bit too much, this game provides an opportunity to see what the studio is capable of.