Queen of the Nile II: the sequel that lets you choose

What changed from the first game

The original Queen of the Nile had one fixed bonus and 20 lines. Aristocrat's sequel widens the game to 25 paylines and adds a decision that changes how every bonus feels. The look moves on too: sharper artwork, a richer gold-and-turquoise palette and a Cleopatra who looks like she belongs in this century.

The Queen is still the wild, standing in for the other symbols and doubling the wins she completes. Pyramids are still the scatters that pay anywhere and open the free spins.

Picking your free spins

When three or more pyramids land, you choose from several free spins options. The trade-off is simple: more spins with a small multiplier, or fewer spins with a bigger one. Long rounds give you plenty of chances to catch Queen wilds and steady small wins. Short rounds are all-or-nothing: a couple of good hits under a large multiplier can beat a long round, but you can just as easily end up with very little.

Some players also prefer the mystery option when it is offered, which picks for you.

Using the Queen of the Nile II demo

This is the ideal game to test in free play, because the choice is the whole point. With 1,000 virtual credits, no download and no account:

• Play at a stake equivalent to £0.25 until you reach the free spins several times.
• Pick the longest option once, the shortest once, then something in the middle, and note the results.
• Do it again a second time: one round of each will not tell you much.

You'll quickly learn which style you enjoy, which is more useful than any figure.

Which Queen to play?

Stick with the original if you want a pure, unchanging pokie. Choose Queen of the Nile II if you like having a say in your bonus. The same game is available for real money at the casinos below.