The Red Queen Slot Review
The Red Queen Slot Review
Pragmatic Play have long demonstrated their knack for crafting engaging themes paired with mechanically sound slot design, and The Red Queen serves as a prime example of their approach to licensed intellectual property. Released in March 2023, this Alice in Wonderland-inspired title lands on a 5+1 expandable reel system with 243 ways to win, delivered through a high volatility framework that promises infrequent but meaningful wins. The game combines wild multipliers, mystery symbols, and a sixth reel mechanic alongside soldier-powered free spins modifiers that form the backbone of its appeal. Whilst the visual execution is undeniably strong, The Red Queen represents a solid addition to Pragmatic Play’s portfolio rather than a standout achievement within the broader slot landscape.
Base Game & Features
The Red Queen operates across 5 reels with a locked sixth reel during base gameplay, creating a foundation of 243 ways to win. The reel set displays the classic Alice in Wonderland cast—the Queen, Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and Mouse among high-paying symbols, with Ace through Ten filling the lower-paying ranks. Base game action centres around two core mechanics that maintain momentum between bonus features.
Wild Symbols & Multipliers
Wild symbols appear across reels 2 through 5 and arrive with random multipliers of either 2x or 4x, substituting for all regular symbols to complete winning combinations. These multipliers stack when multiple wilds land on a single spin, providing meaningful uplifts to your total payout. The multiplier system isn’t revolutionary, but it delivers genuine variance to otherwise standard winning spins and keeps the base game feeling engaged even without the sixth reel active.
Mystery Symbols
Mystery symbols—represented as question marks—transform into matched instances of high or low-paying symbols, creating additional winning combinations beyond your original spin outcome. The frequency at which mystery symbols land provides regularity in base game action, creating “cheeky wins” that add texture to your session. However, this abundance comes with a tradeoff: the animation accompanying each mystery symbol transformation does noticeably slow the pace of base gameplay. Some players appreciate this interactive element, while others find the repeated animations become monotonous, particularly during longer sessions.
The Extra 6th Reel Feature
The defining mechanical element of The Red Queen is its locked sixth reel system. Landing 2 or 3 scatter symbols activates this reel, which then spins independently to reveal scatters, the Queen symbol, or blanks. This sixth reel mechanic carries genuine promise during base gameplay—the tension of watching it unfold creates engagement. However, the feature’s frequency proves frustrating in practice: the 2-3 scatter requirement triggers infrequently enough that many players report long dry spells between activations, making the reel feel stubbornly difficult to unlock. When it does activate, the reel leads to one of two outcomes: either triggering free spins (if scatter lands) or launching the Queen Respin feature (if the Queen appears).
The Red Queen Free Spins & Bonus Features
The bonus round is where The Red Queen’s mechanical complexity truly shines. Landing three or four scatter symbols on reels 2-6 triggers free spins, with a clock symbol revealing your spin count: 3 scatters awards 1-4 free spins, whilst 4 scatters grants 1-6 spins. During this feature, the sixth reel becomes permanently active, containing regular symbols rather than the restrictive scatter/Queen/blank selection of base gameplay.
Queen Respin Feature
When the Queen symbol lands on the sixth reel during base gameplay, it triggers a respin round that transforms any scatter symbols from the original spin into wild symbols carrying multipliers of 2x, 3x, or 5x. These multipliers stack multiplicatively—landing three 5x wilds creates a cumulative 125x multiplier on any winning combination they complete. The Queen Respin feature delivers genuine potential when it triggers, and players frequently praise it for delivering “a solid dent” to the bankroll. However, the feature’s rarity (approximately 1 in 349 triggering odds) leaves many feeling it arrives too infrequently, creating a sense of missed opportunity during extended sessions.
Soldier Modifiers (Free Spins Only)
The true standout feature arrives during free spins in the form of soldier modifiers. A reel displaying four soldiers sits above the main reels, and each spin reveals one of three modifiers that dramatically reshape your winning potential:
+Ways Modifier: Splits the lowest-paying symbol 2 or 4 times on all reels, instantly multiplying your ways to win. A 4x split can transform 243 ways into 15,552 ways—a staggering expansion that creates the genuine possibility of massive wins during free spins.
+Wild Modifier: Guarantees the appearance of a wild symbol with a multiplier between 2x and 5x, ensuring at least one premium symbol lands on the next spin.
+1 Spin Modifier: Awards an additional free spin, extending your feature duration and compounding the potential for accumulated wins.
These modifiers represent the magical element that elevates The Red Queen’s free spins above standard fare. Their regularity during the feature creates the momentum that keeps players engaged, and their compounding potential genuinely justifies the high volatility rating. During free spins, the sixth reel loses its mystique—it becomes just another reel spinning regular symbols—but the soldier system more than compensates with its mechanical engagement and win potential.
Our Honest Verdict
The Red Queen deserves recognition as a mechanically solid offering that balances visual appeal with engaging gameplay systems. The base game never suffers a dull moment thanks to regular mystery symbol interventions and wild multipliers, though some will find the animation pacing distracting. More significantly, the soldier modifier system during free spins stands as a genuine highlight—it’s the element that transforms a competent feature into something memorable.
However, honest assessment requires acknowledging the game’s limitations. The sixth reel feature promises excitement but frequently disappoints through scarcity during base gameplay. The 5,000x maximum win provides sufficient ceiling for average players but may underwhelm those accustomed to higher-volatility offerings from Nolimit City or other aggressive developers. Pragmatic Play, despite the Alice in Wonderland licence, notably sidelines the character of Alice herself—a curious omission that suggests the studio stopped short of fully realising the IP’s potential.
The Red Queen will most appeal to players comfortable with high volatility who value mechanical complexity over consistent base game engagement. It represents solid entertainment rather than exceptional innovation, functioning as the dream you discuss over morning coffee rather than a game that fundamentally reshapes your perception of slot design. For those seeking a feature-rich experience with reasonable RTP (96.06%) paired with engaging free spins, The Red Queen merits your attention. For players preferring faster base game action or higher maximum win potential, alternative titles may prove more satisfying.
Rating: 7.5/10
The Red Queen FAQs
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What is the RTP of The Red Queen slot?
The Red Queen has a primary RTP of 96.06%, with additional variants available at 95.06% and 94.05% depending on operator configuration. The 96.06% RTP sits above the industry average and provides reasonable long-term value for players. -
What is the maximum win in The Red Queen?
The Red Queen offers a maximum win of 5,000x your bet, with a hit rate of approximately 1 in 29,282,000 spins. Whilst achievable through the soldier modifier system during free spins, this maximum represents an extremely rare occurrence. -
What is the volatility level of The Red Queen?
The Red Queen carries high volatility with a 4 out of 5 rating on Pragmatic Play’s volatility scale. This means you can expect relatively infrequent wins, but the opportunity to land generous prizes when luck aligns in your favour. -
How does the sixth reel feature work?
Two or 3 scatter symbols activate the locked sixth reel. When unlocked, the reel spins to reveal scatters (triggering free spins), the Queen (launching Queen Respin with wild multipliers), or blanks. During free spins, the sixth reel remains active with regular symbols only. -
What are the soldier modifiers in free spins?
During free spins, a soldier reel displays four modifiers: +Ways (splits symbols 2-4 times), +Wild (guarantees a wild with 2-5x multiplier), and +1 Spin (awards an extra spin). These modifiers trigger regularly and dramatically enhance winning potential during the bonus round. -
What is the betting range for The Red Queen?
You can bet anywhere between £0.20 and £100 per spin, providing flexible options for both casual players managing modest bankrolls and high rollers seeking substantial stakes. -
How often do mystery symbols appear?
Mystery symbols appear with reasonable frequency during base gameplay, transforming into matched symbols to create additional winning combinations. Whilst their regularity provides engagement, the accompanying animations do noticeably slow the visual pace of base play. -
Who developed The Red Queen slot?
The Red Queen was developed by Pragmatic Play, one of the industry’s most prolific slot providers. Released in March 2023, it demonstrates Pragmatic Play’s capability in delivering mechanically complex games paired with strong visual design.
