Pragmatic Play has a reputation for effectively merging mythology with contemporary gaming techniques, and among its best-selling games is Wisdom of Athena, an exquisitely crafted slot that takes its theme from the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. However, the launch of Wisdom of Athena 1000 allowed Pragmatic Play to further enhance its gaming formula derived from mythology, offering even larger rewards as well as enhanced gameplay. 

While both games share a divine theme and the same core mechanics, they have been crafted for different styles of players, whether you are a cautious strategist or a risk-taking thrill seeker. This comparison will discuss the similarities and differences of each of the likenesses, with a detailed analysis of how Pragmatic Play improved their formula and maintained the spirit of the concept from Ancient Greece.

The 2 variants of the Wisdom of Athena can embrace a world of grandeur inspired by Ancient Greece and Greek mythology. The original Wisdom of Athena features a stunning Athenian temple as its setting, hosting shining light pouring through the temple's marbled columns, with the visual symbols on the game sparkling with an otherworldly spirit. Every spin is like a spiritual manifestation with a ceremonial symphonic background exposing a hint of mythological power.

The aesthetic of Wisdom of Athena 1000 is even more branded and polished. The graphics feel more refined with animations that seem more fluid and a slightly darker palette that creates a classic love for the game. Athena herself looms even more prominently as the figure emitting strength and wisdom presiding over the reels. The background temple glows with ethereal blues and golds, punctuating the unexplained concerns at stake.

Both products exhibit splendour, but Wisdom of Athena 1000 fully captures Pragmatic Play's evolution of style - with sharper effects, more seamless sequencing, and an enhanced range of colour grading throughout, it feels more cinematic overall. The appearance upgrade feels less like a sequel and more like an ascension.

While the 2 slots appear almost identical, subtle modifications can make a huge difference.

The original Wisdom of Athena employs a 6-reel Scatter Pays engine that rewards players when clusters of matching symbols appear anywhere on the grid. It has cascading tumbles, which means that with every win, symbols disappear and new symbols tumble in, giving players the chance to have consecutive wins on a single spin.

With each tumble, you have more positions unlocked on the top reel. If you have back-to-back wins of 3, 6, 9, or 12 tumbles, the grid opens up completely, meaning your potential for a win maximises every time! This uncertainty creates tension in every spin because a tiny win can cascade into a massive win.

Wisdom of Athena 1000 retains the original mechanic but takes it up a notch. The grid is still 6x5; however, there is an extra row of symbols that is locked, which also unlocks with the tumble mechanic. To fully unlock all positions, players need to win 4 times in a row. This slight adjustment to the threshold means that it is easier to unlock the grid and achieve larger wins more frequently.

Additionally, the tumble sequence in Wisdom of Athena 1000 is quicker and feels smoother, which helps with the pace of the gameplay. Combined with a slight upgrade to the multiplier mechanic, you are constantly engaged.

While the symbols in both versions show the Greek theme, the designs and payouts were approached differently. 

In Wisdom of Athena, the symbols include scrolls, vases, helmets, shields, and badges, representing elements of Athenian culture overall. Athena appears as the scatter symbol, and colourful diamonds serve as multipliers for wins, ranging from 2x to 500x. The highest symbol was the golden shield, making for a 50x payout for winning symbols that form large clusters.

In Wisdom of Athena 1000, there was a refreshed symbol set that entertained other mythological components, such as chariots, swords, owls, and Medusa coins. Although new mythological symbols make their debut, the game's aesthetic, overall, stays faithful to the Greek theme. The Medusa coin is the highest-paying symbol with the same 50x for 15 to 40 Medusas shown across the screen, which parallels the previous version's payout cap.

Payouts in Wisdom of Athena 1000 also feel more balanced compared to the previous version. Mid-tier symbols have payouts very slightly better than before, rewarding consistency with smaller wins a bit more often, with the occasional runaway win to a big moment.

The bonus features are the centre piece of both titles, but differ in structure and intensity.

For the Wisdom of Athena, if you land 4 or more Athena scatter symbols, you will trigger 10 free spins. Multiplier symbols can appear during the spins and accumulate cumulatively; whichever multiplier you land, it is added to the total amount of every single win for the rest of the free spins. When the multipliers come together accordingly, the win potential can be massive.

The free spins also make use of the tumble mechanic and unlock feature, and those features remain active for the entire bonus round. If you land 3 more scatters, you will retrigger free spins and utilise 5 additional spins.

At the same time, Wisdom of Athena 1000 adds more thrill. The free spins feature is triggered the same way - 4 scatters mean 10 spins - but it introduces the diamond multipliers, which may be worth anywhere from 2x to an incredible 1,000x. The diamonds drop much more frequently, creating a higher volatility and bigger potential payouts.

The 1000 version also puts much more emphasis on the Ante Bet feature. For an additional 25% per spin, players can increase their odds of hitting scatter symbols significantly. This helps players, who prefer getting the free spins round more often rather than taking their time, access that free spins round much more easily.

The Bonus Buy option available in both games allows players to buy their way into the free spins mode for 100x the bet amount. But, in Wisdom of Athena 1000, this option is more worthwhile, as players are receiving higher multipliers with faster bonus action than in the original version.

Pragmatic Play designed both slots for a size comparable audience (from cautious casuals to bold high-rollers).

The original Wisdom of Athena allows you to wager between 0.10 to 100.00 per spin, while Wisdom of Athena 1000 significantly increases the maximum wager to allow wagering between 0.20 to 2,000.00 per spin. This is unambiguously designed for their player demographic, high-stakes players who are looking to cash in on maximum potential.

Both games are rated as high volatility, which signifies that resulting wins are low in frequency, meaning that when wins occur, it is likely significant. The original Wisdom of Athena has a higher maximum win of 5,000x, while the sequel has a higher maximum payout potential of 10,000x, hence its name.

The Return to Player (RTP) is a slight difference, but worth noting. The original game provides an RTP of 96.07%; the sequel provides an RTP of 96.00%. This equates to the original game cashing out a slightly higher long-term payout. The Wisdom of Athena 1000's idiosyncrasy of higher high-rarity winnings, combined with the higher maximum multiplier, contributes to the balance of payout potential, compensating for the fractional RTP drop.

Both editions are present on all the major sites, including Stake.com, with Pragmatic Play's Greek adventure continuing to grow. Both are optimised for all types of devices, providing smooth gameplay on desktop, tablet, and mobile. 

What sets the Wisdom of Athena 1000 apart in this example, however, is its scalability. The game plays well at a higher stake, plus it has a volatility switch that allows you to subtly adapt the payout behaviour for your specific playstyle. Pair that with Stake's flexible deposit options, which allow for fiat, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and DOGE, as well as payment gateway offerings such as Moonpay, and you could play either slot comfortably.

Each game fits well into Stake's promotional environment, including Drops & Wins, Daily Races, and VIP, so there is always something to look forward to besides the games themselves.

It would be like comparing 2 divine forces - alike in spirit, but differing in the way they transform that spirit into power. The original Wisdom of Athena, for instance, is a more balanced game suited for players who want consistent tumbles, predictable multiplier action, and perpetual pacing. With a max win of 5,000x and a marginally higher RTP, it is indeed approachable for players trying out high-volatility slots for the first time. In contrast, Wisdom of Athena 1000 is designed for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gambling experiences. It improves upon the original with an incredible 10,000x win potential, an expanded betting range, and enhanced graphics. It is the next level of gameplay for experienced players who seek intensity and unpredictability. Wisdom of Athena 1000 includes an upgraded multiplier range extending up to 1,000x, an easier Ante Bet option, and with the ultimate goal of elevating a game characterised by an already thrilling potential.

Comparing the Wisdom of Athena with the Wisdom of Athena 1000 is akin to comparing two divine powers; they are alike in spirit, but each has its own distinct force.

• The original Wisdom of Athena is the ideal choice for players looking for a lower-stakes experience: consistent tumbles, dependable multipliers, and steady action. The original is more approachable, with its 5,000-max win, slightly higher RTP, and an easier playing style, especially for players unfamiliar with high-volatility slots.

• Conversely, Wisdom of Athena 1000 is for players who seek high-stakes, high-reward fun, including a 10,000 win potential, wider betting range, better visuals, and a clearer upgrade for players who are seeking intensity and unpredictability. The higher multiplier range of up to 1000x, as well as the more approachable Ante Bet (5% more to double the win chance), is a bold addition to an already strong game. 

Essentially, the Wisdom of Athena is representative of strategy and stability. In contrast, Wisdom of Athena 1000 represents pure divine power and infinite possibilities.  If you are a player who prefers a balanced approach and plays with a methodical style, the predecessor is still a work of art. If you are looking for the excitement of pursuing legendary wins every spin and can accept the volatility this represents, Wisdom of Athena 1000 is the goddess's blessing.