Eve Luneborg
Dream Catcher was the first-ever live game show developed by Evolution. It was launched in 2017, and to this day, it’s one of the most successful live casino games Evolution has ever produced. The Dream Catcher game is a simple one, at least compared to the innovation we see in today’s game shows. This also means that the game is suitable for players looking for an easy and complex-free gaming experience.
As the very first game show to be available at a wide range of online casinos, Dream Catcher is a game we need to look closer at. In this game review, we’ll have a look at what it has to offer and how that compares to newer releases. Of course, we’ll also explain how you play Dream Catcher, guide you through its special features, and tell you all about its graphics, design, RTP, and more.
| Feature | Details |
| Game Title | Dream Catcher |
| Software | Evolution |
| Game Type | Game Show |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 90.57% to 96.58% |
| Volatility | Low |
| Bonus Features | 2x and 7x |
| Max Win | €500,000 |
| Wheel Segments | 54 |
| Device Compatability | Desktop, Mobile (iOS & Android) |
| Live Host | Yes |
Dream Catcher, developed by Evolution, is a game show game you’ll find at almost all online casinos that accept Irish players. The game is based around a large vertical wheel of fortune, which is divided into 54 segments. The game itself is run by a live host, who spins the wheel and keeps the momentum of the game going.
Today, Evolution is known for creating innovative live dealer games. The game show Dream Catcher is a key part in the reason why Evolution got this reputation to begin with, as this game was a first-of-its-kind type of game back in 2017. Since then, many more similar types of game shows with spinning wheels have been created. The newer kinds offer new and innovative mechanics and features, and are often interactive. Some of Evolution’s most popular game shows, besides Dream Catcher, include Crazy Time, Monopoly Big Baller, Lightning Storm, and Funky Time.
Playing Dream Catcher is almost as easy as can be. You start by placing your bet on one or more numbers shown on the wheel — 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40. Once the betting window closes, the live host spins the big wheel.
When the wheel stops, the number it lands on is the winning segment. If you bet on that number, you win a payout based on the multiplier shown. For example, if you bet on 5 and the wheel lands on 5, you win your bet times 5. There are also special segments marked with 2x and 7x. If the wheel lands on these, any wind for the next spin will get these multipliers added to them.
You can bet on as many of the numbers as you’d like, per game round. Just keep in mind that the payout for a win is a multiplier of the bet you placed on that one segment, not a multiplier on your total bet.
Since Dream Catcher was the first of its kind, it’s no wonder that the game is fairly simple, compared to similar games that are launched today. There are no interactive bonus games, no digital bonus mechanics, or anything like that. However, the wheel does have two special segments, and these will offer the game’s bonus rounds.
The 2x segment is a special one, because this can multiply your winnings. When the wheel lands on 2x, you get a respin, where the host spins again. Whatever the results is from this respin, all payouts are doubled. For example, if the wheel then stops on 10, instead of winning 10 times your stake, you get 20 times your stake.
The 2x feature can happen multiple times in a row, which means your winnings can be doubled again and again. And even better, it can also be accumulated together with the other bonus section, the 7x. When this bonus gets activated, there’s no need for you to do anything, as this is not an interactive bonus. So all you need to do is watch and see if the ultimate spin lands on a segment you bet on.
The 7x segment works exactly the same way as the 2x segment, except that the multiplier is higher. If the wheel stops on 7x, the host spins the wheel again, and all payouts for the next spin are multiplied by 7.
As is the case for the 2x segment, it’s worth mentioning that no extra bets can be placed once the wheel stops on either 2x or 7x. The next spin is a respin where all current bets are kept in place, and it’s not possible to alter.
Dream Catcher has a colourful and simple design that keeps the focus on the large wheel for fortune. The background in the game studio is kept simple and uncluttered, so this game is much less “busy” than many of today’s modern game shows.
As for the user interface, it’s quite straightforward. The little board where you place your bets is intuitive, ensuring it’s easy for anyone to join without learning complex rules. Before the spin starts, you can easily adjust your bet and see your potential payouts. The live stream from Evolution’s studio holds high quality, and issues related to the video feed are very uncommon.
The paytable in Dream Catcher is simple and easy to understand. The only thing you really need to know is that all the numbers on the wheel — 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 — are in reality multipliers. If you bet on 1 and you win, your payout is 1:1. If you bet and win on 2, the payout is 2:1. Bets on 5 offer a 5:1 payout, and so on. Simple enough.
The only exception is when the wheel lands on either 2x or 7x. When this happens, these multipliers are added to your wins. And they can be accumulated. For example, if the wheel stops on 2x, and then on the respin lands on 7x, before it on the next respin lands on 5, it means the payout for players betting on 5 will win 14 x 5 x their bet. In other words, a €1 bet will net them €70.
Dream Catcher, developed by Evolution, offers a theoretical Return to Player (RTP) ranging from 90.57% to 96.58%, depending on the segment you bet on. On the upper range, this is considered a good RTP, but the lower end is much worse than what you expect from these kinds of game shows.
Each segment on the wheel has a different probability of landing, and this is what determines the RTP for that specific bet. For example, the number 1 appears 23 times on the wheel, offering a 1:1 payout, while the number 40, offering a 40:1 payout. Only appears once. The higher the number on the wheel, the lower its frequency. This means what you choose to bet on is not only affecting your RTP, but also the game’s volatility.
To talk more about volatility, Dream Catcher is considered to be a low-volatility game. This means you can expect to win fairly often, but the prizes you get might be low. If you wish to take greater risks for greater rewards, simply bet on higher numbers.
The Dream Catcher game is almost a classic, as this was the first game show-style game most players ever tried. And, it is the basis on which many other game shows today are built. The large spinning wheel and the multipliers, that’s almost a recipe for success in the world of live casino.
However, if we compare Dream Catcher to other similar games, there’s no denying that it comes up a bit short. It doesn’t offer any interactive bonus rounds, no real bonus games, and is quite simply…simple. Then again, this makes it optimal for players who prefer playing games without too many complex rules and features.
The real drawback of Dream Catcher is that the RTP goes as low as 90.57%. This is not only low for this game type, but also in general for casino games. You’ll be hard pressed to find many other games, including slot machines, jackpots, and table games with an RTP on the same level.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.
