The Lioness — slot review and free demo
The Lioness Review
The Lioness is a branded video slot from Armadillo Studios dedicated to MMA champion Amanda Nunes. Released on 2 August 2022, it uses a 6×4 grid with 40 fixed paylines. The core mechanic centres on large stacks of Nunes symbols, which can trigger the Fight Feature with win multipliers. The game also includes Fortune Bet, the respin-based Lioness Link and a separate 5 Free Spins mode.
The Lioness Demo — Play for Free
The Lioness can be launched in a free demo mode through both the Demo URL in the game catalogue and the official Play for fun option. No real-money wager is required, so you can test the pace, 40 paylines, Amanda Nunes stacks, Fight Feature, Fortune Bet, Lioness Link and Free Spins beforehand. The game mechanics remain active, but the virtual demo balance has no cash value.
The Lioness Key Features
The table summarises the main parameters of The Lioness. More importantly, the sections below explain how they work together: the expanded 6×4 grid is not just a larger layout, but the basis for full-reel stacks, line wins and two distinct bonus paths.
The Lioness Features
About The Lioness
The Lioness is set in the world of professional MMA and built around Amanda Nunes. The game uses 6 reels and 4 rows, with wins evaluated across 40 fixed paylines. Combinations are checked from left to right on adjacent reels starting from the first; only the longest qualifying combination is paid on each line, while wins on different lines are added together.
The key base-game mechanic is the large stacks of three different Amanda Nunes symbols. When one of these symbols fills at least three adjacent full reels and forms a win at the same time, the Fight Feature may trigger. An animation of Nunes striking then assigns a random multiplier to the current line win. The more fully stacked adjacent reels involved in the combination, the higher the available multiplier range.
Without Fortune Bet, the Fight Feature ranges from 2×–4× with three full stacks to 2×–7× with six. Fortune Bet increases the stake by 30%, guarantees the Fight Feature when a qualifying win contains three or more full stacks, and expands the ranges to 3×–6× for three stacks and up to 3×–9× for six. In the regular game, these multipliers apply only to line wins from the current spin and do not carry over.
The Lioness Gallery
The Lioness Symbols
The symbol set continues the MMA theme. The main paying symbols include three different images of Amanda Nunes, boxing gloves, a punching bag, and the A, K, Q, J and 10 card ranks. The Nunes variants are the symbols that can land in long stacks and take part in triggering the Fight Feature.
Two special Scatter symbols are used separately:
- Lioness Scatter. Four or more anywhere on the grid trigger the Lioness Link Bonus. During the bonus, they stay locked in place and can reveal credit prizes or coloured Prizepot awards.
- Free Spins Scatter. Three trigger 5 Free Spins. The official game sheet depicts this symbol as a championship belt; during the bonus, extended stacks of Amanda Nunes variants appear on the reels.
For the special Scatter symbols, the total number across the grid matters rather than a standard payline combination. This separates them from regular paying symbols and makes the bonuses independent of the shape of a particular winning line.
The Lioness Bonus Features and Free Spins
The Lioness combines several mechanics, each with a different role. The Fight Feature boosts an existing line win, Fortune Bet changes the conditions of that feature, Lioness Link switches the game into a respin mode, and Free Spins turn the Fight Feature into an accumulating multiplier system.
- Fight Feature. It triggers on a winning combination where one of the three Amanda Nunes symbols occupies at least three full adjacent reels. With 3 stacks, the random multiplier is 2×–4×; with 4 stacks, 2×–5×; with 5 stacks, 2×–6×; and with 6 stacks, 2×–7×. The multiplier is applied to the line win from the current spin.
- Fortune Bet. Adds 30% to the regular stake. When qualifying full stacks form a win, the Fight Feature is guaranteed and the ranges increase to 3×–6×, 3×–7×, 3×–8× and 3×–9× respectively. For a regular stake of 0.20–100 units, the official game sheet separately lists a Fortune Bet range of 0.26–130.
- Lioness Link Bonus. Triggered by four or more Lioness Scatters anywhere on the grid. All triggering Scatters lock in place, the other positions are cleared, and the round starts with 3 respins. Each new Lioness Scatter remains in place and resets the counter to three respins.
- Prizepots in Lioness Link. A regular Lioness Scatter reveals a random award of 1×–10× the stake. Coloured variants award Mini 20×, Minor 50× or Major 100×. Filling all 24 positions pays the Grand Prizepot of 1000× the stake. Mini, Minor and Major can land more than once, while Grand is awarded once for filling the entire grid.
- Free Spins. Three Free Spins Scatters award 5 free spins. Very long Amanda Nunes stacks are used on the reels. If three or more full stacks form a win, the Fight Feature always triggers, and the resulting multiplier does not disappear after the spin: it accumulates and remains active until the bonus ends. The Free Spins cannot be retriggered.
- Buy Bonus. In markets where the feature is permitted, you can buy direct entry to the Lioness Link Bonus for 32× the selected stake. Fortune Bet is disabled when the purchase is opened, and the price is based on the regular stake without the additional 30% surcharge.
Two restrictions have a noticeable effect on the bonus structure: Lioness Link and Free Spins cannot be triggered together on the same spin, and Lioness Link cannot activate during Free Spins. Fortune Bet is also unavailable in Free Spins mode.
The theoretical RTP depends on the game mode and configuration. The Lioness supports 93.79% and 87.85% variants. In the configuration described in detail in the version 1.0.0 rules, the regular game without Fortune Bet has an RTP of 93.79%, Fortune Bet has 94.16%, and Buy Bonus has 93.78%.
The Lioness Interface and Controls
The main controls in The Lioness centre on the Spin and Bet buttons: the first starts a spin and the second changes the stake. The rules also confirm Turbo Mode, Autoplay where permitted, Menu, Game Rules, Paytable, History and Game Settings. A separate Buy Bonus button provides access to Lioness Link purchases in versions where the feature is allowed.
Fortune Bet is activated separately from the base stake and increases it by 30%, so it is worth checking whether the mode is active before starting a series of spins. The interface is responsive: the official game sheet specifies a 16:9 ratio and responsive design, while the mobile version retains the main controls and bonus features. On touchscreens, a spin is started by tapping the Spin button as described in the rules.
The Lioness Pros and Cons
The strengths and weaknesses of The Lioness are best judged by its mechanics rather than its presentation: the game changes noticeably depending on the stacks, Fortune Bet and which of the two bonus modes is triggered.
Pros
- The Fight Feature creates a clear link between the number of full Amanda Nunes stacks and multiplier ranges reaching 9× with Fortune Bet
- Lioness Link combines 3 respins, sticky Scatters, credit awards and four Prizepot levels
- During Free Spins, the Fight Feature multiplier accumulates and remains active until the series ends
- An official demo / Play for fun mode is available to explore the mechanics without a real-money wager
- In some markets, Lioness Link can be bought directly for 32× the stake
Cons
- The base RTP of 93.79% is below the roughly 96% level often seen in modern video slots
- Free Spins start with only 5 spins and cannot be retriggered
- Fortune Bet increases the cost of every regular spin by 30%
- Buy Bonus availability depends on the market and may be unavailable or subject to bet limits
The Lioness Reviews
Below are opinions about The Lioness. They help you understand which features, mechanics, pace, and design may be important when evaluating the game.
What I liked most was the combination of Amanda Nunes stacks and the Fight Feature. It makes it clear why the game uses six reels: when the character covers several adjacent reels, a regular line win turns into a separate multiplier sequence. Fortune Bet makes this mechanic even more prominent, although the stake becomes higher.
Yes. The full adjacent stacks are what set the base game apart from a standard 40-payline slot. Fortune Bet strengthens this scenario, but its 30% stake surcharge is worth accounting for in advance.
Was this information helpful?
Lioness Link was easier to understand than I expected: four Scatters trigger three respins, new symbols lock in place and reset the counter. I like that the prizes are not limited to a single jackpot — there are regular 1×–10× values plus separate Mini, Minor, Major and Grand awards.
Lioness Link does have a clear hold-and-respin structure: each new Scatter adds a reward and extends the attempt to fill the grid. Grand is specifically tied to filling all 24 positions.
Was this information helpful?
Five starting free spins look modest, but the mode is more interesting because the Fight Feature multiplier accumulates. In the regular game, the multiplier applies only to the current win, while in Free Spins it carries forward. It is a shame that Scatters cannot add more free spins.
That is accurate: the main point of the bonus is not the number of starting spins, but the persistent multiplier. The restriction also matters — the rules do not allow Free Spins to be retriggered.
Was this information helpful?
The controls stay simple on mobile, and the 6×4 grid remains easy to read in landscape mode. It is useful to have separate rules and a paytable. The one thing to watch is Fortune Bet: it is easy to forget it is enabled, and it adds 30% to every stake, so I prefer to check the mode before a run of spins.
Fortune Bet does have its own stake structure: it raises the wager while improving the Fight Feature conditions. Checking the active mode before spinning helps avoid confusing the regular stake with the ante-style option.
Was this information helpful?
There are plenty of mechanics, but the 93.79% base RTP looks low to me. On the other hand, it is helpful that the rules show separate values for Fortune Bet and Buy Bonus, so you can see how the theoretical return changes between modes. The bonus structure itself is fairly easy to follow.
Comparing the modes is important here: 93.79% applies to the regular game in the described configuration, Fortune Bet has a separate RTP of 94.16%, and Buy Bonus has 93.78%. The game also has an alternative RTP configuration.
Was this information helpful?
The Lioness Review Summary
The Lioness suits players interested in more than fixed paylines, with a mechanic where large stacks can materially change the outcome of a spin. Its defining feature is the Fight Feature: in the base game it boosts the current combination, while during Free Spins it becomes an accumulating multiplier. Lioness Link adds a separate respin path with sticky Scatters and Prizepots. The rules are fairly quick to understand, but it is important to consider the RTP of the specific configuration and Fortune Bet’s 30% surcharge before playing. For a first look, starting with the demo is a sensible way to see how both bonus paths work without wagering real money.
Where to Play The Lioness for Real Money
Games Similar to The Lioness
More Games from Armadillo Studios
The Lioness FAQ
The short answers below cover the key parameters of The Lioness and the differences between the regular game, Fortune Bet, Lioness Link and Free Spins.
What is the RTP of The Lioness?
Can you play The Lioness for free in demo mode?
What is the maximum win in The Lioness?
How are Free Spins triggered in The Lioness?
Does The Lioness have Bonus Buy?
Does The Lioness work on mobile devices?
Who developed The Lioness and when was it released?
Still Have Questions About The Lioness?
Send us a question about The Lioness if you cannot find the answer in this review.
More About The Lioness
Read more articles about The Lioness.