Butterfly Staxx 2 is the sequel to NetEnt's 2017 original, released in August 2019 with a significantly expanded feature set. It runs on a 5x4 grid with up to 40 paylines, and introduces something unusual - up to three separate play areas that can open during re-spins. The RTP is 96.35% with a volatility rating of 4.9 out of 10, a hit frequency of 25%, and a maximum payout of 300x your stake. Stakes range from 0.25 to 1,250 per spin, with that high upper limit clearly aimed at bigger bankrolls.
The visual design builds on the original's serene butterfly garden theme. The reels sit inside an ornate golden frame against a lush meadow backdrop, with butterflies drifting across the screen between spins. The colour palette leans heavily on purples, golds, and greens, giving it an elegant, almost stained-glass quality. The soundtrack is gentle and ambient - soft strings and nature sounds that create a calm atmosphere. It is one of the more visually polished games in the NetEnt catalogue, with smooth animations on the butterfly symbols that bring the theme to life.
Multiple Play Areas
The defining feature of Butterfly Staxx 2 is the ability to unlock additional play areas during gameplay. You start with a single 5x4 grid, but the re-spin feature can open a second and even a third grid alongside the first. Each additional play area runs independently but contributes to your overall wins. When all three are active, you have 15 reels of symbols spinning simultaneously. This creates a visual spectacle and significantly increases the number of winning combinations available on any given spin. The multiple play areas are the main draw that separates this sequel from the original game.
Re-Spins
Re-spins trigger whenever a full stack of four butterfly symbols lands on a single reel. The stacked butterflies lock in place and the remaining reels re-spin. During re-spins, additional butterfly stacks can land and lock, extending the feature. More importantly, landing enough butterfly stacks during re-spins can unlock the second and third play areas. Each unlocked area gives you another full grid of symbols spinning alongside your main grid, compounding the win potential with every additional area that opens. The re-spin mechanic serves as the bridge between base game and bonus features, and landing that initial full stack is what starts the chain.
Scatter Symbol and Bonus Choice
Scatter symbols appear on reels 1, 3, and 5 only. Landing three scatters gives you a choice between two distinct bonus features - Butterfly Spins or Butterfly Frenzy. This is a genuine decision point rather than a cosmetic one, as the two bonuses play very differently. Butterfly Spins is the free spins route with spinning reels, while Butterfly Frenzy is a pick-and-click bonus with a level progression system. Having the choice lets you tailor the experience to your preference on any given scatter hit, which adds a welcome layer of player agency to the game.
Butterfly Spins
Choosing Butterfly Spins awards five free spins with all three play areas active from the start. During these spins, only cocoon symbols appear on the reels. These cocoons hatch into butterflies, and each butterfly contributes to your wins across the expanded grid. With three play areas running simultaneously and five spins to work with, the Butterfly Spins feature generates a lot of activity on screen. The cocoon-only symbol set simplifies things compared to the base game, meaning every spin is focused entirely on how many butterflies emerge and where they land across your three grids.
Butterfly Frenzy
The alternative bonus is Butterfly Frenzy, a pick-and-click feature with a level progression system that can run up to level 5. You start at level 1 with 10 picks, selecting from a grid of hidden items to reveal prizes. Completing a level moves you to the next stage, and each new stage adds another 10 picks to your total. Reaching higher levels increases the value of prizes available. The progression through up to five levels creates a sense of building momentum - each stage you reach feels like a step further into the bonus. It is a different pace entirely from the spinning reels of Butterfly Spins, offering a more interactive, hands-on experience.
Betting Range and Payout Profile
The betting range is notably wide, spanning 0.25 to 1,250 per spin. That upper limit is among the highest in the NetEnt slot library. The 25% hit frequency means roughly one in four spins produces a return, which keeps sessions feeling active. The trade-off is the relatively low maximum payout of 300x stake, which reflects the low volatility and high hit rate. This is a slot designed for extended play sessions rather than chasing a single large win. The multiple play areas and two bonus options keep the gameplay varied enough to sustain interest across longer runs, even if individual payouts stay modest.
How It Plays
Butterfly Staxx 2 is a visually impressive sequel that adds meaningful new mechanics to the original formula. The multiple play areas give it a distinctive identity, and the choice between two genuinely different bonus features adds replay value. The low volatility and 300x cap make it a session slot rather than a thrill ride, but the 25% hit frequency and varied features keep things interesting. If you enjoy slots with frequent action and layered bonus mechanics, it delivers well on both fronts.
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