The 80's style music is a definite nod to some older slot users while the HD graphics at the centre of the screen remind us that we are very much in the modern world of slots. Managing the balance of vintage and modern, this game avoids the overwhelming temptation to make this a homage to the classic days of slots and, instead, keeps the game's visuals and soundscape simple, allowing for a strong focus on game-play.
About the Slot
While this slot has not made wholesale changes from the Mystery Reel slot that was released last year, the addition of the Megaways engine has certainly proved a valuable and intelligent decision that is sure to be vindicated. Now with 6 reels (with two to seven rows), a mystery symbol feature and a free spins bonus, which allows you to gamble for more free spins giving you even more chances to bet and win further free spins.
It's important to stress that Mystery Reels Megaways is not an entirely brand new game. The Megaways engine, which was created by Big Time Gaming, has simply been woven into the fabric of the Mystery Reels slot to update it and give it a new, fresh look. Any players expecting something completely new may well feel some initial disappointment. However, the possibilities of the Megaways engine, and the way it has been applied ensures a thrilling player experience.
Slot technicalities
With six reels (and two to seven rows) there are between 64 and 117,649 ways to win and win big. The betting is set at anywhere between 0.20 Euros and 10 Euros per spin and the overall potential payout is anything up to a limit of 10,000x your stake. If you hit six of a kind across the reels then the payout ranges from 0.8x to 50x your stake. Described as a medium to high variance game, the RTP (return to player) rate is 96.18 %. Activating the Buy Pass feature increases this up to 97.63%, meaning the returns on this game are incredibly high.
Sticking with the same pay symbols from the original, this slot starts on the low levels with Oranges, Lemons, Cherries, Plums, Grapes and Melons. As you ascend to the higher paying symbols of the game, then the fruits are replaced with Stars, Bells and Horseshoes. The only fruit to remain strong is the Golden Apple with a question mark, which serves as a mystery symbol for any who play the game. This slot does not have a wild symbol, however, and the scatter manifests itself in the form of a free spins icon on top of a small gamble wheel, which brings neatly onto the next point.
Extra Spins and Bonus Games
No matter where they are, landing three scatter symbols earns you eight free spins. Before using these spins, you have the chance to gamble for more free spins using the pie wheel. With relatively low risk you can win up 40 free spins, as you're always guaranteed at least four spins if you lose the gamble. If you land three more scatters in five spins you will re-trigger this feature.
The bonus game itself isn't the most original as it much like the bonus in Bonanza and other similar games. Firstly, the multiplier goes up by one every time you land a cascade. Since the multiplier never resets, there is, therefore, no limit to how high it can actually go up to. The mystery symbol feature is also in play here, triggering at unexpected times to help land winning combinations.
Finally, the mystery symbol is a Golden Apple with a question mark on the centre. With the ability and tendency to appear at any point in the game, Red Tiger has added another level of suspense while also adding more ways to win!
The Golden Apple will appear in both the base game and during free spins. It races across the reels and marks other symbols, cloning them (and itself) into regular pay symbols. The scatter symbols are the only ones that cannot be transformed into the regular pay symbols.
Slot Tips and Tricks
Slots are, of course, based on luck, but that doesn't mean there isn't a degree of skill and understanding that goes into tackling one of these slots. Although we can't provide much help in the luck department, here are some tips that we can give you.
- Play for the free spins! With a game that is so readily willing to dish out free spins with the (very likely) possibility of winning as many as 40, we would highly recommend playing the gamble feature whenever possible. Even if you gamble and lose, you are still always left with four free spins, taking away a huge element of risk, and of course, you could win up to 40!
- Watch out for the mystery symbol! That's a little harder as it is totally random but keep your eyes peeled for that pesky Golden Apple, and you could be winning big.
- Don't be afraid to gamble! This may sound like an odd one, but in order to fully enjoy this game, you must be willing to take a few risks, after all, it is a gambling game. But with having so many opportunities to win big, you can maximise the fun you have by never being afraid to dream a little bigger.
Summary
Overall, this game is very good. Initially, this looked like it could have been a cheap relaunch of their old game, but Red Tiger has turned it around, putting the Megaways engine to fantastic use and creating a game that's fun, exciting and, above all, pays well! A nicely polished game with pleasing enough aesthetics, Mystery Reels Megaways is a welcome addition to the world of online slots so enjoy and, as always, gamble responsibly.
