Mystery Reels Megaways Slot Review
Red Tiger Gaming’s combination of Mystery Reels with Megaways mechanic positions this as a high-volatility offering aimed at experienced players seeking substantial win potential. Launched on 28 March 2019, this was the developer’s first venture into the Megaways territory, blending the chromium-styled aesthetic of the original Mystery Reels with the modern 117,649 ways structure. The retro fruit slot charm maintains classic appeal whilst the dynamic reel configuration fundamentally modernises the gameplay experience.
Base Game & Features
Mystery Reels Megaways features a 6-reel grid with variable row configurations of 2-7 rows per reel, creating up to 117,649 Megaways – Red Tiger’s first implementation of the Big Time Gaming Megaways mechanic. The game operates as a video slot with symbol clusters and multiple win pathways on every spin. The core mechanics remain straightforward: matching symbols across adjacent reels from left to right form winning combinations, with the dynamic grid structure adjusting with each spin to create new possibilities.
Special Symbols & Base Game Modifiers
The Mystery Symbol represents a golden apple with a question mark that can land during both base game and free spins. When it appears, the symbol clones itself to random positions across the reels, then all mystery symbols reveal the same regular paying symbol to form winning combinations. This feature can significantly enhance win potential by converting multiple random positions into paying symbols.
Cascading reels add another layer of momentum to the gameplay. After a winning combination, those symbols disappear and new tiles cascade down from above to fill the gaps, potentially creating additional wins. Crucially, the multiplier increases by 1x with each cascade, and during the bonus feature, this multiplier escalates without limit – never resetting regardless of how many cascades chain together. This unlimited progression is a genuine standout feature that differentiates Mystery Reels Megaways from comparable Megaways releases.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
Landing three scatter symbols (displayed as a Prize Wheel) triggers the free spins feature, initially awarding 8 free spins. Players face an immediate choice: collect the guaranteed 8 spins or gamble on the Prize Wheel feature for potentially higher allocations. The gamble mechanic offers genuine strategic depth – successfully landing on the first spin awards 20 spins, the second delivers 30 spins, whilst the third and final opportunity grants a massive 40 spins. The structure builds suspense with relatively little risk of total loss, as players can always walk away with the initial allocation.
Additional scatter symbols landing during the free spins round award additional spins, retriggering the feature and extending the bonus run. The cascading reels continue to operate during the free spins, and that unlimited progressive multiplier mentioned earlier becomes the star of the show. The mystery symbol feature also remains active, creating opportunities for dramatic win sequences where multiple cascades chain together with the multiplier climbing higher with each cascade.
Bonus Buy Feature
Red Tiger offers a Bonus Buy (called “Buy Pass”) option that provides direct access to the free spins feature, bypassing the need to land scatter symbols. Purchasing the feature increases the RTP to 97.63% – a notable boost from the default 96.18%. Whilst specific pricing varies by casino, this option caters to players seeking immediate access to the bonus round and who appreciate the enhanced return percentage.
Our Honest Verdict
Overall Verdict: 4/5
Mystery Reels Megaways delivers engaging, feature-focused gameplay that unquestionably appeals to high-volatility enthusiasts. The unlimited cascading multiplier, mystery symbol transformations, and strategic free spins gamble create genuine moments of momentum and anticipation. The 96.18% default RTP (rising to 97.63% with Buy Pass) sits comfortably within market standards for a high-volatility Megaways title, offering fair value for players accepting the variance.
The baseline limitation is straightforward: this game does not accommodate casual players or those unprepared for extended dry spells between wins. The 39.12% hit frequency confirms that base game pacing focuses heavily on bonus feature anticipation rather than consistent smaller wins. This is intentional architecture rather than a flaw – Red Tiger designed this slot specifically for volatility-chasers who appreciate dramatic gameplay swings and substantial reward potential.
Experienced volatility players will find plenty to love. The mystery symbol and cascading reels combination creates sustained win momentum during lucky sequences, and chaining multiple cascades together with the unlimited multiplier escalating can produce genuinely impressive wins. The free spins gamble feature adds strategic depth, allowing risk-tolerant players to push for the maximum 40-spin allocation.
Mystery Reels Megaways suits high-volatility enthusiasts unequivocally. Casual players and those unprepared for extended dry spells between bonus triggers should investigate alternative options more aligned with their gameplay preferences.
Mystery Reels Megaways FAQs
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What is the RTP of Mystery Reels Megaways?
Mystery Reels Megaways has an RTP of 96.18% at the default setting, which most casinos offer. The game features multiple RTP variants ranging from 92.12% to 98.06%, available at different betting levels or operators. Players who opt for the Bonus Buy feature will benefit from an increased RTP of 97.63%. -
What is the maximum win on Mystery Reels Megaways?
The maximum win on Mystery Reels Megaways is 10,000x your stake. With the maximum bet of £10.00, this equals a maximum payout of £100,000. Achieving this theoretical maximum requires both generous feature-triggering variance and extended cascading sequences with the multiplier escalating throughout. -
What is the volatility of Mystery Reels Megaways?
Mystery Reels Megaways is a highly volatile game, meaning wins are infrequent but can be substantial when they occur. Players need to be prepared for dry spells between the big wins, and the game appeals to those seeking more dramatic gameplay with higher risk for bigger rewards. The 39.12% hit frequency confirms the focus on bonus feature anticipation rather than consistent base game wins. -
How many ways to win does Mystery Reels Megaways have?
Mystery Reels Megaways features 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win using the Megaways mechanic. The game has a variable row configuration of 2-7 rows per reel, which creates the dynamic payline structure. This was Red Tiger Gaming’s first implementation of Big Time Gaming’s Megaways licence. -
How do free spins work in Mystery Reels Megaways?
Landing three scatter symbols triggers 8 free spins initially. Players can choose to gamble this amount on the Prize Wheel feature to potentially win up to 20 spins on the first spin, 30 on the second, or 40 on the final spin. Additional scatters during free spins award additional spins, and a progressive multiplier increases by 1x with each consecutive win, with no limit to how high it can escalate during the bonus feature. -
What is the Mystery Symbol feature in Mystery Reels Megaways?
The Mystery Symbol is a golden apple with a question mark that can land during base game or free spins. When it appears, it clones itself to random positions across the reels, then all mystery symbols reveal the same regular paying symbol to form winning combinations. This feature can significantly enhance win potential by converting multiple random positions into paying symbols. -
What is the cascading reels feature in Mystery Reels Megaways?
Cascading reels is a feature where winning symbols disappear from the screen after a winning combination, and tiles from above cascade down to fill the gaps, potentially creating additional wins. In Mystery Reels Megaways, the multiplier increases by 1x with each cascade, and during the bonus feature, the multiplier never resets and has no limit to how high it can go. This unlimited escalation is a standout differentiator for the game.
