Which Valley of the Gods Slot is Best?

Valley of the Gods is one of Yggdrasil’s best-known sequel pairs: the 2017 original and a 2020 follow-up that dramatically expands the ways-to-win system without improving every headline number. The series is one of the clearest direct sequel comparisons among Yggdrasil slots, because the second game dramatically expands the ways-to-win system without improving the original’s RTP or max win. We compare both Valley of the Gods slots below, focusing on RTP, max win, ways to win and how the sequel changes the blocker-clearing respin mechanic.

Valley of the Gods vs Valley of the Gods 2: What Changed?

Valley of the Gods 2 increases the maximum ways to win from 3,125 to 20,160 and adds a Wild Reel feature, but the original still has the higher RTP and larger max win.

The two games take the same blocker-clearing idea in different directions, with the sequel adding far more ways to win while the original keeps the stronger headline math. For more provider comparisons, mechanics and slot series, see our online slots hub.

Which Valley of the Gods Game Has the Better RTP?

The original Valley of the Gods has the higher RTP at 96.2%, compared with 96.0% in Valley of the Gods 2.

The gap is small:

96.2% – 96.0% = 0.2 percentage points

That means both games sit in broadly similar territory, but the sequel does not improve the theoretical return.

At €1,000 of total wagering, the theoretical house edge works out at:

• Valley of the Gods: €38
• Valley of the Gods 2: €40

So the original retains a slight mathematical edge.

Does Valley of the Gods 2 Have More Ways to Win?

Yes. Valley of the Gods 2 can reach 20,160 ways to win, compared with 3,125 in the original.

That is one of the biggest changes between the two games.

20,160 ÷ 3,125 = 6.45

The sequel therefore offers roughly 6.45 times as many maximum ways to win.

It does not start there. Valley of the Gods 2 begins with 240 ways, then winning combinations remove blocker stones and progressively open additional positions.

As more of the grid becomes available, the game can eventually reach the full 20,160-way setup. That makes grid expansion much more visible as a form of progression than it was in the original.

Do More Ways to Win Mean a Bigger Max Win?

No. Valley of the Gods 2 has more than six times the maximum ways to win, but the original still has the larger max win.

The figures are:

• Valley of the Gods: €580,000
• Valley of the Gods 2: €548,100

The difference is:

€580,000 – €548,100 = €31,900

So the sequel’s maximum is €31,900 lower. Expressed as a percentage, Valley of the Gods 2’s max win is roughly 5.5% below the original.

That gives us a clean example of why a larger ways-to-win number should not be treated as a direct proxy for payout ceiling. More combinations change how wins can form; they do not determine the largest possible payout.

How Does the Original Valley of the Gods Work?

The original revolves around winning respins, removing blocker stones and gradually opening more of the 5×5 grid.

Every win keeps the sequence moving. Winning symbols help destroy blockers, and as the blocked positions disappear, more of the grid becomes available and stronger features begin to matter.

The core progression revolves around:

• Respins
• blocker removal
• extra lives
• win multipliers

The appeal is the sense of gradually excavating the board. A spin does not necessarily stand alone: one win can open more space, which creates another chance to win and can push the sequence further.

What Does Valley of the Gods 2 Add?

The sequel keeps the blocker-clearing respin concept but makes the expanding ways-to-win system much more central and adds a full Wild Reel feature.

The game begins with only 240 ways. That figure rises as blocker stones are destroyed, and once the grid has opened far enough, three major features can come into play.

Lives

Lives act as second chances, allowing the respin sequence to continue after a spin that would otherwise end it.

Multiplier

The multiplier increases the value of wins during the sequence.

Wild Reel

An entire reel can become Wild. This is the most obvious mechanical addition compared with the original.

The sequel therefore feels less like a completely different game and more like a larger version of the same excavation idea.

Is Valley of the Gods 2 Better Than the Original?

Valley of the Gods 2 is better if you want expanding ways and the Wild Reel mechanic, while the original is better on RTP and max win.

The comparison comes down to what matters more.

Neither game wins every category. The first game is mathematically a little stronger, while the sequel is mechanically broader.

Which Valley of the Gods Slot Should You Play?

Choose the original for RTP and max-win strength, or Valley of the Gods 2 if you prefer expanding ways and a more feature-heavy respin system.

Best overall: Valley of the Gods

Its 96.2% RTP is slightly higher and its €580,000 max win remains the larger of the two.

Best for ways to win: Valley of the Gods 2

The grid can grow from 240 ways to 20,160 as blockers disappear.

Best for simpler progression: Valley of the Gods

The original keeps the focus on blockers, respins, lives and multipliers.

Best for extra features: Valley of the Gods 2

The Wild Reel gives the sequel another way to alter the board once its feature stages open.

How Much Did Valley of the Gods Change Between 2017 and 2020?

The sequel keeps the same central progression loop but dramatically expands the number of ways available once the grid opens.

The original asks you to clear blockers and keep the respins alive. Valley of the Gods 2 asks essentially the same thing, but the scale changes substantially.

The ways-to-win ceiling rises from 3,125 to 20,160, a Wild Reel joins the feature set, and the grid becomes a more obvious progression system in its own right.

Yet the headline math moves slightly backward rather than forward. That makes Valley of the Gods an unusually useful sequel comparison.

The newer game is bigger, but it’s not automatically better.