A Tale of Elves Slot

A Tale of Elves Slot Review

Microgaming have long been synonymous with classic slot mechanics and enduring game design, and A Tale of Elves demonstrates this approach to themed releases. Released in November 2020, this Christmas-inspired title presents a straightforward proposition: a festive setting with solid volatility and multi-option free spins mechanics. For those who appreciate traditional Microgaming construction over trendy mechanics, the North Pole workshop setting offers considerable appeal.

Base Game & Features

A Tale of Elves operates on a standard 5×3 grid with 243 ways to win, establishing familiar ground for players accustomed to Microgaming’s blueprint approach. The game minimum bet sits at £0.30, with a maximum of £12, making it accessible for casual players whilst restricting high-stakes action. The RTP of 95.07% sits noticeably below the industry standard of 96%+, a trade-off that high-volatility seekers must acknowledge.

The mechanical foundation rests on stacked wild symbols depicted as Christmas wreaths. These wilds appear in stacked formation across all five reels, creating the potential to connect high-value symbols across multiple positions. When five wreaths land, the payout reaches 16.66x the stake—a modest but consistent base game reward.

Beyond the wild system, the scatter cash prize mechanic distinguishes the base game. Landing just two Santa scatter symbols triggers random cash awards ranging from 1x to 50x stake, independent of the bonus trigger. Three or more scatters award guaranteed payouts: three scatters pay 1x stake, four pay 20x, and five deliver 200x the wager. This dual-layer scatter system creates engagement during spins that miss the bonus threshold, though with only a 27% hit frequency, longer dry spells remain the norm. The combination of stacked wilds and scatter pays provides texture to base gameplay, but between these features, the reel action can feel repetitive.

A Tale of Elves Free Spins

The free spins feature stands as the centrepiece of A Tale of Elves, triggered by landing three or more Santa scatter symbols. What sets this bonus apart is the player agency—rather than a fixed spins allocation, the game presents four distinct elf variants, each with different risk and return profiles.

• Blue Elf Spins: 18 spins with a 2x multiplier. The conservative option, offering maximum spin count with minimal risk.
• Green Elf Spins: 14 spins with a 3x multiplier. The balanced middle ground.
• Orange Elf Spins: 10 spins with a 4x multiplier. The aggressive alternative with reasonable risk exposure.
• Yellow Elf Spins: 8 spins with a 5x multiplier. The extreme option—the fewest spins but the highest multiplier potential.

This structure genuinely allows players to influence their volatility experience. The Yellow Elf route offers the theoretical path to the 20,000x maximum win but requires landing premium symbol combinations with the 5x multiplier active—a significant undertaking. Conversely, Blue Elf provides more opportunities through spin count, though individual wins remain constrained by the lower 2x multiplier. Community feedback emphasises that all four options remain viable depending on bankroll and risk tolerance, rather than one dominating choice.

During free spins, wild symbols stack in formations of 3 to 6 height depending on the elf variant chosen, with taller stacks available on higher-multiplier options. This reinforces the risk/reward structure—players selecting Yellow Elf receive stacked wilds of 3 height, whilst Blue Elf allows up to 6-high stacks. The generous stacking during bonus rounds creates genuine potential for explosive wins when multiple stacked wilds align, though the overall Super Volatile classification means long stretches without bonus triggers remain commonplace.

Our Honest Verdict

A Tale of Elves delivers solid Microgaming construction with a festive theme and meaningful player choice through the four free spins variants. The volatility classification as “Super Volatile” positions this firmly as a big-win-chaser’s game rather than a casual spinner. The 20,000x maximum win potential exists theoretically, though achieving it demands both fortunate symbol combinations and selection of the Yellow Elf option with its 5x multiplier active.

The primary limitations centre on the below-average 95.07% RTP—a meaningful drawback without a progressive jackpot to offset it—and the extended base game pacing driven by the 27% hit frequency. Between features, particularly when scatter prizes don’t materialise, the gameplay can feel drawn out. The maximum bet ceiling of £12 makes this a low to medium roller’s game, which suits bankroll management but limits appeal for high-stakes action seekers.

This slot suits experienced players familiar with high-volatility releases who value player agency in bonus selection and appreciate throwback Microgaming styling with modern features. Casual players or those seeking consistent base game engagement should look elsewhere. The Christmas theme delivers the promised festive aesthetic through visual and audio design, though the mechanics remain thoroughly standard. For what it is—a solidly constructed festive-themed slot with thoughtful bonus mechanics—A Tale of Elves will more than suffice, particularly during the seasonal window when thematic appeal enhances the experience.

A Tale of Elves FAQs