by Vegas Technology
Nothing at all, says LCD and thinking along the same lines this week was Vegas Technology, who introduced the 5-reel 9-payline video slot Independence Day. This one’s certain to be a hit with all those Yankee Doodle Dandies on that side of the Atlantic who ... wait a moment, there’s a bit of a prohibition over there, no? Bummer. A proper American patriot would well enjoy Independence Day, after all with its graphics full of various red, white and blue symbolism with snapshots of Americana interspersed. LCD doesn’t particularly get the mutant George Washington with the bulbous dome making him look like a combination of Monticello, a mushroom, and a refugee from Superman's rogue's gallery, but you know ol’ George was a hemp farmer. Good old Betsy Ross is the SCATTER symbol and a jackpot of $200,000 can be had in the free spins round. The sound is requisite stirring brass-band riffs, the lots of fireworks abound to stir those faithful to Old Glory. The sure-to-be historical bonus round entitled “Declaration of Independence” is great, too: Essentially a pick-‘em-win-a-prize deal, three rounds are given the player. First up are founding father personalities: There’s Sam Adams, brewer/patriot; George Washington, still the fungi; Thomas Jefferson, a polyglot of note despite what Nick Nolte thinks; Ben Franklin, who loved the ladies; James Madison, the token obscure president; John Adams, no. 2 so he tried harder; John Hancock, known mostly for that signature; and Paul Revere but not the Raiders. Round two has players picking a city and a national attraction for bonus money. Interestingly, Las Vegas is listed as both. All in all, this is a nice fundamental 5-reeler well designed for the American lot. Consider it Vegas Technology’s way of saying “Happy July 4th!” Even to a country where the games remain illegalized ... after all, what’s more American than some good old-fashioned capitalism? Unless it’s some good old-fashioned Congress-induced irony. LCD rating: ’76 out of 100.