Discover the Elements: The Awakening - Where fire, water, air and earth collide
Unlike common online slot machines, Elements does not feature characters or dialogue. Instead, it creates a world — a glowing, mysterious realm in which elemental creatures clash and evolve. There are glowing fire spirits, rippling water beings, airy wisps and rocky earth golems. The background resembles a distant alien planet, and each spin feels as though it's taking place in a cosmic rift.
What sets it apart is the energy meter system tied to the Avalanche mechanic. Rather than waiting for random Scatter symbols, the game rewards consecutive wins. Each win triggers an 'avalanche', where the winning symbols explode and new ones fall into place. Get four avalanches in a row and you unlock one of the four Free Falls bonus modes, each of which is themed around one of the four elements.
The hook is that there are four bonuses, each with their own unique features. The system is elegant and interactive, and it remains one of NetEnt's most creative ideas.
Elements slot gameplay guide: Reels, paylines and winning mechanics
Elements runs on a 5-reel, 3-row, 20 fixed payline setup. While you cannot change the number of lines, you can adjust your coin value and bet level. Wins pay from left to right, and only the highest win per line is counted.
Here's how the gameplay works:
- Avalanche™ reels replace normal spins. When you get a winning combination, the winning symbols explode and new ones drop in from above.
- Each consecutive win (avalanche) fills the Avalanche Meter by one level, up to a maximum of four.
- The Energy Meter shows which element (Fire, Water, Air or Earth) dominates your wins.
- Trigger the Free Falls feature (10 Free Spins) by hitting four avalanches in a row.
- The active element when you trigger Free Falls determines which 'mode' you will play in: Fire, Water, Air or Earth.
The game's simplicity is part of its charm: you just play, watch the avalanches stack up and hope they chain far enough to unleash one of the elemental bonuses.
Full Elements slot paytable: Symbols, payouts and Wilds
Here's a closer look at the game's symbols and their payouts (note: these values scale with your bet/coin value). The game features two tiers of symbols for each of the four elements: the creature/character version (high tier) and the orb/shard version (low tier).
| Symbol | 3-of-a-kind | 4-of-a-kind | 5-of-a-kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire creature | 25 | 150 | 1,500 |
| Earth creature | 20 | 100 | 750 |
| Air creature | 15 | 75 | 500 |
| Water creature | 10 | 50 | 300 |
| Fire orb/shard | 5 | 30 | 100 |
| Earth orb/shard | 4 | 25 | 75 |
| Air orb/shard | 3 | 20 | 50 |
| Water orb/shard | 3 | 20 | 50 |
And don't forget about the Wild symbol, represented by a metallic cube, which substitutes for any paying symbol and appears on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 during the main game.
All about the special features of Elements: Avalanche wins and four storm modes
This is where Elements: The Awakening really comes alive, setting itself apart from most traditional slots. The gameplay revolves around avalanches and the energy meter, which together trigger one of four elemental Free Falls modes.
Let's break it down.
The Avalanche™ feature
Rather than spinning like a traditional slot, Elements uses NetEnt's signature Avalanche™ mechanic.
Here's how it works:
- When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols explode and vanish.
- New symbols then fall from above into the empty spaces.
- If the new layout forms another winning combination, the process repeats — and this counts as another avalanche.
- Each consecutive avalanche increases your Avalanche Meter, located within the 'Spin' button.
You can chain up to four avalanches within a single paid spin. If you manage to hit all four in a row, you unlock the Free Falls feature — essentially the game's Free Spins bonus.
The clever thing is that the base game and the bonus aren't disconnected. Each avalanche you trigger feeds energy into one of the four elemental meters: Fire, Water, Air or Earth. The most active element when you hit your fourth avalanche determines which Free Falls bonus you'll enter.
So, in short:
- Wins cause avalanches.
- Avalanches fill the meter.
- Four consecutive avalanches unlock Free Falls mode.
- The leading element determines your bonus feature.
The game is smooth and dynamic, making every chain of wins exciting — because any spin could unlock the storm.
Free Falls (Bonus Feature)
Triggering Free Falls awards you with 10 Free Spins and dramatically changes the on-screen environment to match the currently active element. Each element comes with a unique Wild mechanic that changes your bonus rounds completely.
Fire Storm Mode
The Fire element is all about chaos and big potential.
- Special Wilds appear on reels 2, 3 and 4.
- When they appear, they spread to adjacent symbols, potentially creating up to two extra Wilds in random directions.
- If positioned near the edge, they can even expand towards reels 1 and 5, leading to those screen-filling explosions.
Although Fire Storm produces fewer wins overall, it has the highest potential for big payouts when those spreading Wilds connect across multiple paylines.
Air Storm Mode
Air feels lighter and more dynamic, and this is reflected in the feature.
- At the start of the bonus, two Air Storm Wilds land on the reels.
- After each avalanche (including during wins), they float to a new adjacent position, constantly shifting.
- These Wilds remain active throughout the entire Free Falls round.
This creates a sense of movement and unpredictability. Sometimes the Wilds drift exactly where you need them, while at other times they tease you by hovering just out of reach. It's an enjoyable, medium-variance feature that often provides consistent, moderate payouts.
Earth Storm Mode
Earth is the 'steady' mode — perfect for players who love sticky symbols and sustained combos.
- Earth Storm Wilds appear on the reels and remain there after being part of a win.
- Instead, they remain 'indestructible' for up to three avalanches, as long as they continue to contribute to wins.
- Once they have gone three rounds without being part of a win, they vanish.
This mode is ideal for forming long avalanche chains, as the Wilds act as anchors to help maintain those combos. The results are usually less explosive than Fire or Water mode, but wins tend to be more consistent.
Water Storm Mode
Water is all about flow and expansion — and it looks stunning in action.
- When Water Storm Wilds land on the reels (only on reels 2, 3 or 4), they expand vertically to cover the entire reel.
- The result? A full Wild reel that can pay across multiple paylines at once.
- These Expanding Wilds reset each avalanche, meaning new ones can appear, sometimes filling all three centre reels for substantial line hits.
Water Storm is arguably the most visually satisfying mode, as well as being one of the best for balanced, frequent mid-tier wins.
Other details about Free Falls
- Each Free Falls session gives you 10 Free Spins and plays out with the same bet level and coin value as the triggering spin.
- You cannot re-trigger Free Falls within a bonus — once your ten spins are complete, the feature ends.
- However, thanks to the Avalanche system, you can still get multiple cascades within a single Free Falls session, so a 10-spin bonus can feel much longer.
- Each mode comes with its own dedicated animations, colour palette and soundtrack — small touches that make the whole feature feel immersive and rewarding.
Why it works so well
The reason Elements' features remain popular after all these years is simple: they're interactive. You're not just sitting around waiting for three Scatter symbols — you're actively watching the screen, counting avalanches and hoping for that fourth chain. Every win feels like it might be building towards something. And when you finally trigger a Free Falls round, the elemental twist keeps things fresh.
- Fire brings chaos.
- Air brings movement.
- Earth brings persistence.
- Water brings expansion.
This slot offers variety without overwhelming you, with four types of bonus all built around one elegant system.
Elements strategy guide: How to get the most out of this slot
Let's be realistic: there's no secret formula to 'beating' a slot machine, but you can play more intelligently.
- Manage your bankroll. Free Falls are triggered by four consecutive wins. While they're not extremely rare, they don't happen constantly. Play at a bet level that gives you enough spins to hit a few of those runs. It's a medium-volatility game, so steady pacing pays off.
- Keep an eye on the meter. Although you can't directly control which element will trigger your Free Falls, watching the meters helps you to anticipate which mode might come next. If Fire is glowing, you know you're close to chaos.
- Familiarise yourself with the different modes. Each element suits a different play style:
- Fire = explosive big wins and higher volatility.
- Water = line coverage and strong mid-range payouts.
- Air = lots of action and steady tension.
- Earth = sticky consistency and multiple chained wins.
- Don't chase specific modes. The chosen element type is based on your streak, so you can't force it. Increasing your bet won't 'summon' Fire or Water, so just enjoy the flow.
- Try the demo first. Elements plays differently to a normal slot game. The avalanches make every spin last longer, so it's worth getting used to the rhythm before betting with real money.
Why Elements: The Awakening is one of NetEnt's most creative slots
Elements: The Awakening is one of those slots that still feels ahead of its time. It's stylish and creative, and it's built around a system that rewards momentum rather than just luck. The four elemental modes ensure that every bonus feels fresh, while the Avalanche reels keep the base game lively.
While it's not the most volatile slot, that's part of its appeal — it strikes the perfect balance between regular action and feeling completely at the mercy of the RNG gods. It's fun, dynamic and visually stunning, even years after its release.
If you're tired of generic fruit slots or endless book-themed clones, Elements: The Awakening offers a refreshing change. Fire, Water, Air, Earth — whichever element you awaken, you're likely to become hooked.
So go ahead, spin the reels, watch the avalanches fall and see which storm greets you.Elements: The Awakening FAQs
What is the RTP of Elements?
Is it a high-volatility game?
How many paylines are there?
How do you trigger Free Falls?
What's the maximum win?
Are there Scatter symbols or re-triggers?
