Tarasque

Tarasque Slot Review

When a new studio enters such an oversaturated market, it can be hard for them to make their mark, but this is something that has proven simple for the team at Print Studios. Their Medieval France-themed release Tarasque is completely unexpected, remarkable, imaginative and extremely capable. Released in February 2024, this 8×8 cluster pays slot immediately positioned itself as one of the year’s most eccentric and innovative offerings. Tarasque draws from French mythology, specifically the legendary creature from Provence, blending deep historical references with modern slot mechanics in ways that feel genuinely fresh.

Base Game & Features

Tarasque operates on an 8×8 grid using cluster pays mechanics – wins are created when at least 5 identical symbols connect horizontally or vertically. After a winning cluster is removed, symbols cascade from above, allowing multiple consecutive wins on a single spin. This creates a natural rhythm where good spins can feel genuinely rewarding, particularly when cascades trigger repeatedly.

Cascade Feature

The cascade mechanic forms the foundation of Tarasque’s win system. When clusters land and pay out, they’re removed from the grid and new symbols drop down to fill the gaps. This isn’t just mechanical filler – cascades are where the game’s complexity truly emerges. With the right features active, cascades can chain together in ways that make individual spins feel like complete sequences rather than static snapshots.

Morphing Clusters – The Signature Mechanic

The Morphing Clusters feature is Tarasque’s most distinctive mechanic. A random symbol is selected as the Morphing Symbol each spin (represented by the Mage’s Tower). When you form a winning cluster that matches the Morphing Symbol, that entire cluster transforms into a different adjacent symbol type. This transformation can trigger chain reactions of growing cluster wins, potentially multiplying payouts in ways that feel both surprising and earned. We didn’t see it trigger every session, but when it did, the potential was genuinely exciting. Players specifically seeking unpredictable mechanics will find this mechanic delivers on that promise.

Celestial Blessings Multiplier

Any winning cluster can be randomly multiplied by x2, x3, x4, x5, x10, or x20. The Celestial Blessings feature is responsible for much of Tarasque’s win potential – this multiplier system is active on every cascade, meaning even modest clusters can expand dramatically. The x20 multiplier, whilst rare, combines with the max win mechanics to create the 20,000x potential that makes high-volatility chasers take notice.

Bonus Features & Free Spins

Tarasque does not have traditional free spins. Instead, the game features a unique 5-stage Progressive Features meter that activates with every win. This is the heart of the game’s bonus structure – instead of waiting to unlock a separate round, you’re constantly progressing through escalating features that intensify the gameplay. Each stage triggers different powerful modifiers that fundamentally change how wins are calculated, making the experience feel like one extended bonus sequence rather than a base game interrupted by free spins.

Progressive Features Meter – 5 Stages of Escalating Power

The meter progresses through five distinct stages, each unlocking more powerful features. Every winning cascade charges the meter, creating a system where consistent wins lead to escalating rewards. The progression doesn’t reset – once you unlock a stage, those features persist whilst new features layer on top. This creates genuine strategic depth where progression feels earned.

Stage 1: Wild Spikes

Wild Spikes adds a random number of Wild symbols directly to the grid – between 4 and 24 depending on progression level. The higher your stage, the more wilds are added. This feature is straightforward but effective: wilds substitute for any symbol, dramatically increasing cluster formation probability and win frequency. At higher stages, Wild Spikes can add up to 24 wilds, transforming an otherwise mediocre spin into a cluster-forming machine.

Stage 2: Blazing Gaze

Blazing Gaze removes all low-paying symbols from the grid for 1-5 cascades, depending on progression level. By eliminating the symbols that create false wins or block high-paying combinations, Blazing Gaze ensures that subsequent cascades focus on premium symbols and more valuable clusters. This feature is particularly effective when combined with wilds, as the removal of low-paying symbols increases wild effectiveness.

Stage 3: Mage’s Morph

Mage’s Morph places 6-45 Morphing symbols directly onto the grid, with higher stages placing more. Recall that Morphing symbols transform entire clusters when wins connect – placing 45 of them simultaneously creates an environment where almost every win can potentially trigger cluster transformation chain reactions. This stage is where the game’s complexity reaches its peak, with potential wins multiplying across a single spin.

Stage 4: Bulking Beast

Bulking Beast causes the Tarasque symbol itself to grow on the grid – expanding from a 2×1 size up to a massive 4×4 block whilst wins continue to land. Larger Tarasque means more opportunities for the symbol to appear in winning clusters, and larger symbols cover more grid space, increasing multi-directional win potential. Higher progression levels allow even bigger expansions.

Stage 5: Devour & Unleash Feast

The pinnacle of the progressive system, Devour & Unleash, represents a two-phase bonus mechanic within the progression. During the Devour phase, winning symbols from clusters containing the Tarasque wild are collected rather than paid. In the Unleash phase, these collected symbols are placed on the grid from lowest to highest value, creating full-screen win opportunities. The system can accumulate up to 64 symbols for regurgitation, making this the primary driver of the 20,000x maximum win potential. The mechanic feels genuinely rewarding because wins are earned through progressive play rather than arbitrary triggering.

Our Honest Verdict

Print Studios have delivered a genuinely complex offering that stands apart in an increasingly homogenised slot market. Tarasque is not a refinement of existing mechanics – it’s a fundamental rethinking of how cluster pays slots can progress and escalate. The game’s mechanics are not just innovative, but almost mind-boggling in their complexity and engagement, particularly once you reach the higher progression stages where multiple features layer simultaneously.

The 8×8 grid with cascade mechanics feels seamless without traditional free spins, though it must be acknowledged that the medium-high to high volatility means wins are less frequent than some players will expect. This is not a slot designed for those seeking regular small wins – it’s built for players willing to weather dry spells for explosive potential. The 96.30% RTP sits at competitive industry standard, and the game’s innovative feature set justifies the high volatility classification.

The game appeals to those with an affinity for mythology and offers a fresh perspective for players tired of the conventional Greek, Roman and Norse status quo. The Medieval French theme paired with the Morphing Clusters mechanic creates an immersive experience that’s genuinely hard to find elsewhere in the slot landscape. Even those with a preference for traditional slots should give it a try – the progressive system evolves gameplay in ways that keep engagement high across sessions.

For players seeking genuinely innovative mechanics backed by capable win potential, Tarasque is a testament to the creative prowess of Print Studios and a release you do not want to miss.

Tarasque FAQs

• What is the RTP of Tarasque?

  The RTP of Tarasque is 96.30%, which is a competitive rate in the online slot industry. This means that over time, the game returns 96.30% of all wagered money to players, with 3.70% representing the house edge. A Feature Bet option is available that raises the RTP to 97.02% for players seeking marginally better returns.
• What is the maximum win on Tarasque?

  The maximum win available in Tarasque is 20,000x bet. The max win probability in regular game mode is 1 in 2,778,550 spins. This high potential is achievable through the Devour & Unleash mechanic accumulating symbols combined with Celestial Blessings multipliers, making it one of the game’s major attractions for players seeking substantial win opportunities.
• Does Tarasque have free spins?

  Tarasque does not have traditional free spins. Instead, the game features a unique 5-stage Progressive Features meter that activates with every win. Each stage triggers different powerful features – Wild Spikes, Blazing Gaze, Mage’s Morph, and Bulking Beast – that escalate in intensity and functionality as you progress.
• Can I play Tarasque on mobile?

  Yes, Tarasque is fully optimised for mobile play. The 8×8 grid layout adapts well to smaller screens, and all features function identically on mobile and desktop platforms. The game is compatible with iOS and Android devices.
• What is the bet range for Tarasque?

  Tarasque allows players to bet from 0.10 to 50.00 per spin, providing a wide range of betting options suitable for both casual players and high-rollers. This flexibility makes the game accessible across different player bankrolls.
• What is the volatility of Tarasque?

  Tarasque has medium-high to high volatility, meaning wins are less frequent but can be significantly larger. The game is not as unforgiving as extremely volatile slots, but players shouldn’t expect to trigger features and score wins on every spin. This volatility suits players with adequate bankrolls seeking substantial win potential.
• How does the Morphing Clusters feature work in Tarasque?

  The Morphing Clusters feature is represented by the Mage’s Tower symbol. Each spin, a random symbol is selected as the Morphing Symbol. When you form a winning cluster that matches this symbol, the entire cluster transforms into a different adjacent symbol type. This transformation can lead to exciting chain reactions of growing cluster wins, potentially significantly increasing payouts.
• What are the Progressive Features in Tarasque?

  Tarasque’s Progressive Features meter has 5 escalating stages that unlock with every win: Wild Spikes (adds 4-24 wilds), Blazing Gaze (removes low-paying symbols), Mage’s Morph (places 6-45 morphing symbols), Bulking Beast (grows the Tarasque symbol up to 4×4), and Devour & Unleash (collects and regurgitates symbols for massive wins). Each stage layers on top of previous stages, escalating gameplay intensity.