Shark School

Shark School is a fun and whimsical video slot by RTG, that seems to have resulted from a drunken Mad Libs session – how else could one explain the selection of theme? Still, even a single glance at the RGT’s gaming portfolio would be sufficient to understand that this is not a developer that’s playing it safe.

In fact, they are probably one of the providers with the least obvious sources of inspiration, which is definitely refreshing. After all, do we really need yet another oriental theme slot? This does not mean that RTG avoids conventional themes– they do have a fair share of traditional slots, but they are not afraid of thinking outside the box and taking the road less traveled.

Shark School is a great example of how an unpretentious theme combined with engaging bonuses can be quite sufficient to draw attention.

The story revolves around a bunch of sharks that are too cool for school and their teachers who just won’t leave them alone! As most of us are aware of, high school was indeed packed with sharks and this slot is a painful reminder of the long days of high school bullying.

Featuring bloodthirsty sharks as the high-value icons, Shark School produces medium volatility, generous multipliers, and a tragicomic representation of the teen years struggles. RGT is hitting close to home with this one, even if that was not the developer’s intention.

Plenty of fish in the sea

The slot is played on 5 reels, 3 rows, and 50 paylines, with the Great White Shark as the highest paying symbol. In terms of value, the Hammerhead Shark is next in line, while Tiger and Leopard Sharks are the medium value icons. Smaller and nerdier fish species, along with A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9, produce the lowest payout rates.

The Shark icons can land on the reels in groups, generating “Mixed” payouts. All bonuses are triggered by the same combination of icons; when at least 3 School Building symbols land on the reels, the player will unlock the feature by picking one of the matching icons from the screen and initiating ‘Swim, Fishy Swim’, ‘Bad Sharky’, or ‘Don’t Eat the Teacher’ mini games.

In the first feature, “Swim, Fishy Swim”, the player’s bet will be potentially multiplied by 200 – if, of course, the smaller fish chased by the predators manages to escape. This bonus will last for as long as the little fellow stays ahead of the sharks, and all payouts will be tripled.

The “Bad Sharky” bonus game is basically a session of up to 10 Re-spins, with an expanded Shark icon positioned on the middle reel. The Shark will try to eat every fish that appear on the reels and every eaten fish will be replaced by one of the Shark icons.

Sharknado of Bonuses!

Teenagers think of teachers as their mortal enemies, and Sharks will take the everlasting feud further, attempting to devour the entire faculty.

In the Don’t Eat the Teacher Bonus, the payouts will start at twice their value, increasing in size every time the Shark tries to gobble up the Teacher. The feature will last until the Teacher actually falls victim to the hungry Shark, and x100 multiplier will be awarded if the old geezer manages to survive the attacks in all 25 rounds.

One of the best things about these sort of cartoonish and almost flippant releases is that they turn out to be anything but. The bonus features are extremely amusing and the multiplying potential is amazing, giving you a good run for your money. It just goes to show that the old saying about judging the book by its covers is true.