NetEnt's What's Up? Witches: 9 Spell Effects Slot Review

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-08

NetEnt, the Stockholm-based developer known for pushing boundaries in online slots, has done it again. Their latest release, What's Up? Witches, is turning heads in the iGaming world. It's not just another slot with a witch theme. It's a full-blown narrative experience with mechanics that feel genuinely fresh. ### A Story That Draws You In The slot follows three university students who use their morally grounded powers to fight a darkness overtaking their city. The witch theme is playful and colorful, illustrated in a graphic novel style. But don't let the cartoonish look fool you. This game has serious production value. The soundtrack, which NetEnt shared on X, is even streaming on Spotify. It's clear they put real effort into making this world feel alive. ### The Grid That Breaks the Mold Load the game and you'll see a candlelit sanctum with a stained-glass window backdrop. The grid is unusual: a 6-reel layout with a 4-6-6-6-6-4 pattern. The bottom reel spins horizontally, which is where the magic happens. This setup gives you 20,736 ways to win. It's a lot to take in at first, but it quickly feels natural. ### The Arcane Feature: Nine Spells, Endless Possibilities Here's where What's Up? Witches really shines. When a spellbook symbol lands on the bottom row, it activates pentagram-shaped Spell sigils in the main grid. These sigils trigger one of nine distinct spell effects. Each spell has a unique design and does something different: - Turns symbols into wilds in specific patterns - Clears entire rows for fresh cascades - Expands in all directions to create massive wins - Sets off powerful chain reactions This system makes the grid feel alive. Spells can link together, triggering one after another, combining with the cascading mechanics (NetEnt calls them avalanches, a term they pioneered back in 2014 with Gonzo's Quest). It's dynamic and keeps you on your toes. ### Free Spins and the Magic Orb Land four or five Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels in the base game, and you'll trigger the Free Spins feature. You get 10 or 15 free spins, played out on a new 5-reel, 5-row grid. This is where the Magic Orb mechanic comes in. It also has nine distinct features, with one randomly activated during each free spin: - **Doubler**: Doubles three random multipliers on the reels - **Collector**: Collects two to six random multipliers - **Adder**: Adds a random value from 5x to 200x to three multipliers - **Generator**: Places three multipliers on empty positions, ranging from 1x to 500x These features stack up fast. You can see serious win potential building with every spin. ### Volatility, RTP, and Betting Range With all these features and multipliers, it's no surprise this slot is high volatility. The max win is 10,180x your bet. The RTP is a solid 96.03%, which is decent for a game this packed with mechanics. The betting range goes from $0.10 to $100, so it works for casual players and high rollers alike. ### Final Thoughts What's Up? Witches is one of NetEnt's most mechanically audacious releases in years. The combination of the nine-spell system, nine free spins features, and the asymmetrical grid gives it real personality. It's got strong replay value, and even the avalanche mechanic doesn't overshadow the spell effects. If you're looking for something that feels new and engaging, this slot is worth a spin.