Lightning Storm by Evolution Gaming

In July 2024, Evolution Gaming introduced Lightning Storm, a groundbreaking addition to its renowned Lightning series, which includes hits like Lightning Roulette and Lightning Blackjack. With a unique blend of a 39-segment DigiWheel and five innovative bonus rounds, this fifth-generation game show pushes the limits of live casino entertainment, following the success of its predecessors, the popular game shows Dream Catcher and Crazy Time. Designed in a mad-scientist laboratory setting, the game offers striking multipliers that can reach up to 20,000x, creating an immersive and electrifying atmosphere. With real-time streaming and professional live dealers, Lightning Storm represents Evolution’s most complex and high-budget game to date, setting a new standard in live gaming.

Lightning Storm Overview

Lightning Storm by Evolution is a thrilling, fast-paced live casino game that blends the excitement of a big wheel game show with engaging bonus rounds and interactive gameplay. At the heart of the action is a 39-segment DigiWheel, spun by a game host dressed to match the theme, which combines elements of Frankenstein’s laboratory and early electricity production. The goal is simple: predict where the wheel will stop. Players can either win instant payouts or gain access to one of five bonus rounds—Hot Spot, Monster Mash, Battery Charger, Fireball, and Lightning Storm—each offering guaranteed multiplier rewards.

The game’s visual appeal, paired with its innovative betting options, ensures an immersive experience. In bonus rounds like Hot Spot and Lightning Storm, players have a direct role in decision-making, adding to the interactivity. The lightning-strike-inspired mechanics and a high RTP of 97.44% make this game even more appealing to many gamblers.

Game Design

Lightning Storm Live is broadcast in real time from Evolution’s  studios in Riga, Latvia. The studio blends a mad-scientist laboratory theme with modern augmented reality elements. The dimly lit setting, combined with dynamic lighting effects, creates an atmosphere reminiscent of early electricity experiments and Frankenstein-inspired labs. A professional host guides players through the game, spinning the wheel and narrating the action, while the various bonus rounds, feature vivid visuals, unfold like thrilling scientific experiments. The HD streaming quality and powerful sound effects further enhance the immersive, cinematic experience.

Pros and Cons

How to Play Lightning Storm Casino Game

Follow these steps to get started with Lightning Storm Evolution Gaming:

1. Choose a Trusted Casino: Begin by selecting a licensed online casino that offers Lightning Storm live game. Make sure the platform is reputable and has good reviews.
2. Sign Up or Log In: Log in your account. If you’re new to the casino, create an account by following the registration process. 
3. Make a Deposit: Add funds to your account to start playing. Check for any bonuses or promotions that may enhance your gameplay.
4. Launch the Game: Open the Lightning Storm game from the casino’s live gaming section and wait for it to load.
5. Place Your Bets: Choose your betting segments on the wheel. You can opt for simpler bets or aim for higher payouts by betting on bonus rounds.
6. Wait for the Spin: Once your bets are placed, the presenter will spin the wheel. Anticipate where it will land to see if you’ve hit a winning segment.
7. Enter Bonus Rounds (if applicable): If the wheel stops on a bonus segment, participate in one of the five exciting mini games: Hot Spot, Monster Mash, Battery Charger, Fireball, or Lightning Storm.
8. Play Bonus Games: Follow the host’s instructions for each game to increase your chances of winning.
9. Receive Multipliers: During bonus rounds, multipliers are awarded based on the outcome, potentially boosting your winnings.
10. Collect Your Winnings: Once the round is complete, claim any winnings you’ve earned and prepare for the next spin!

Lightning Round: Basic Game Rules

In Lightning Storm, the main objective is to predict which segment of the 39-segment DigiWheel the pointer will land on after each spin. Players place bets on one or more segments where they believe the wheel will stop. Once betting is closed, the game host spins the wheel, and the action begins. Each spin brings a chance to land on random bonus symbols that are assigned to different segments, with 20 bonus spots scattered across the wheel.

So, the game offers both instant cash wins and the possibility of unlocking one of five bonus games, each offering guaranteed multipliers. These bonus symbols can carry multipliers ranging from 2x to 50x, enhancing the potential winnings. If players bet on a bonus segment with a multiplier, their winnings from the bonus round are boosted by that multiplier.

When the wheel stops, the pointer indicates the winning segment, and players either receive an instant payout or advance to a bonus round if their bet corresponds to a bonus segment.

Betting Options

The game offers a variety of betting options to suit different player preferences:

• Standard Bets: Players can place standard bets on numbers 1 to 20, as well as on the instant win Leaf Symbol, which offers a 1:1 payout if the wheel lands on it. There are also options to bet on all odd or even numbers, allowing players to customize their strategy.
• Storm Chaser Bet: This side bet automatically places a wager on the number where the Lightning Storm symbol appears. If the wheel lands on this segment, you’re guaranteed entry into the lucrative Lightning Storm bonus round. The cost for this bet is 2.7x your original wager.
• X Chaser Bet: The X Chaser bet covers all numbers with a Bonus symbol and a multiplier during the initial spin. This feature ensures that you participate in rounds with bonus multipliers, potentially maximizing your payout. The X Chaser bet comes at a higher cost, requiring 7.8x your original wager.

Bonus Rounds

One of the standout features of Lightning Storm game online is its array of engaging bonus rounds, each bringing distinct mechanics and payout opportunities. These rounds are activated when the wheel lands on specific segments designated for bonuses. If a multiplier is present on that segment, it will be applied right from the beginning of the round, right after the initial multiplier payouts are calculated. There are five thrilling bonus rounds to explore: Hot Spot, Monster Mash, Battery Charger, FireBall, and Storm Chaser. Each round offers a unique twist, creating excitement as players await the outcomes, while also allowing for interactive elements like blind prize selections in the Hot Spot and Lightning Storm rounds.

Hot Spot

The Hot Spot features an expansive 9×12 multiplier wall filled with hidden multipliers grouped by value. Players begin by selecting a tile they believe harbors the highest multiplier. Once all selections are made, the multipliers are unveiled, and a 3×3 area moves across the wall, stopping to double the multipliers it covers. If this area lands on the tile you picked, your potential multiplier is doubled, offering an exciting chance to reach up to a 10,000x. Additionally, if the bonus round is triggered by a multiplier from the initial wheel spin, all multipliers on the wall receive a boost before the round begins, increasing the stakes. Strategy and anticipation are key in this engaging bonus, as players must carefully consider their choices to maximize their rewards.

Monster Mash

In Monster Mash, players unleash their creativity by assembling a unique monster from three horizontal reels representing the head, torso, and legs. Each body part is assigned a random multiplier, contributing to an overall total that can lead to substantial winnings. For instance, if the reels align with a head multiplier of 5x, a torso of 10x, and legs of 10x, the resulting total multiplier would be an impressive 500x (5 * 10 * 10). The game features two types of multipliers:

• Regular multipliers: simply add to the total,
• Global multipliers: enhance all multipliers in play.

As the host spins the reels, they will land on various combinations, culminating in the creation of your monster and the corresponding payout. Players can expect a maximum multiplier of 10,000x. The experience is further enhanced by the randomization of body part multipliers:

• blue parts ranging from 1x to 50x
• gold parts offering global boosts between 4x and 6x.

All outcomes are determined by RNG, ensuring a fair and exciting gameplay experience without requiring player input.

Battery Charger

In the Battery Charger game, a mini wheel activates a conveyor belt with ten batteries. Nine of these batteries carry individual multipliers, while one features a global multiplier that doubles the values of all remaining batteries. Each battery drops onto a charger, where the wheel spin determines the outcome. If the wheel stops on red, the battery explodes and the next one moves into place. If it stops on green, the attached multiplier is added to your total. The game continues until either the last battery is tested or the wheel lands on green with the global multiplier, offering a potential win of up to 10,000x.

Fireball

The Fireball round unfolds on a grid with 149 pockets, each holding either a Regular or Double multiplier. A ball is launched onto the grid, bouncing around until it lands in a pocket. If it hits a Regular multiplier, that becomes your payout multiplier for the round. However, if the ball lands on a Double multiplier, all Regular multipliers on the grid are instantly doubled, and the ball is relaunched. This process repeats until either the ball lands on a Regular multiplier, or the grid reaches its cap of 10,000x, which is the maximum possible payout. If the bonus round was boosted by a multiplier from a previous wheel spin, those values are applied before the game begins, adding to the potential rewards.

Lightning Storm

In the Lightning Storm bonus round, you’ll be taken to the rooftop where a massive billboard awaits, featuring eight regular multipliers and three global ones. Before the action begins, you’ll choose one of three lightning strikes, which will hit the billboard three times during the round. The lightning will move across the grid, selecting one or more multipliers. Your final payout is determined by the sum of regular multipliers or a combination of regular and global multipliers. If a bonus multiplier from the initial spin is present, it boosts the regular multipliers on the grid before the game begins. This round offers the biggest potential rewards, with payouts reaching up to 20,000x.

Payouts & RTP

The maximum payout for each bonus round can reach impressive heights, as shown in the table below:

It’s important to note that while these multipliers are substantial, all game round winnings are capped at €500,000 (or equivalent in your local currency).

In terms of RTP (Return to Player), the game’s theoretical payouts vary depending on the type of bet you place. Here’s a breakdown of the RTP for different bet options:

• Leaf Bet: 97.44%
• Numbered Bet Spots (1-20): 95.13%
• Storm Chaser: 95.12%
• X Chaser: 95.13%

The RTP for the Leaf Bet is the highest, making it the safest option, while other bets, particularly those involving side games, tend to have slightly lower RTPs. However, the added risk comes with the potential for much larger rewards in the rounds.

Play The Game On Your Mobile

Thanks to Evolution Gaming’s mobile-first approach, the game runs smoothly on both iOS and Android, offering top-notch performance and graphics. Whether through a mobile browser or a casino app, the game adjusts perfectly to your screen, ensuring that all features, such as betting options and bonus rounds, are easily accessible. With an intuitive interface designed for touchscreens, placing bets and navigating the game is simple and convenient, ensuring a smooth experience on the go.

About Evolution Gaming Developer

Evolution Gaming, founded in 2006, has become a leader in live casino gaming by consistently innovating and delivering high-quality games. Known for titles like Lightning Roulette and Crazy Time, the company recently introduced Lightning Storm, showcasing its ability to blend advanced technology with entertaining gameplay. Evolution’s focus on creating engaging live dealer experiences has earned it multiple awards, including the EGR Live Casino Supplier of the Year. With nearly 200 games in its portfolio, Evolution continues to push the boundaries of what live casino gaming can offer.

Our Verdict

Lightning Storm is a standout in Evolution’s lineup, offering dynamic gameplay with an impressive range of betting options. This game merges stunning visuals with an innovative Digiwheel, delivering a fresh take on Big Wheel games. The inclusion of two distinct betting systems—Storm and X Chaser—gives players the flexibility to pursue high payout potential, while the random bonus rounds keep the action unpredictable. Whether you’re after the thrill of big multipliers or strategic betting, Lightning Storm Live provides a unique and rewarding experience.