Madame Mystique Megaways by Pragmatic Play marks the resurgence of the enigmatic fortune teller in the world of online slots, following the success of its predecessor, Madame Destiny Megaways. Unveiled as an exclusive for Stake casino, the game is mechanically identical to the previous installment, continuing to draw on the familiar themes of mystery and fate and with the key difference being the RTP, as you will see.
Although the game adopts the same magical backdrop and symbols, it mirrors the classic version closely, retaining the same Megaways design and feature alterations. The player once again enters the mystic caravan of Madame Mystique, placed in an eerie forest under a moonlit sky. The suspenseful music intensifies the thrill, giving a sense of venturing into the unknown, as players spin the reels hoping to unveil their fortune.
Madame Mystique Megaways, unlike the majority of Megaways titles that typically offer a 6x7 reel configuration, takes a different route. Pragmatic Play has configured the central four reels to accommodate up to 8 rows of symbols, which ramps up the maximum Megaways to 200,704. Winning in this setup requires at least three identical symbols (or two for the lizard) from the leftmost reel. Playable from €/$0.20 to €/$100 per spin, players may also opt to activate the Ante Bet, which increases the stake by 25% whilst also doubling their chances of triggering free spins. The last thing to mention in terms of technicalities is the Return to Player, which at 98.03%, is exceptionally high, making it the key difference when directly compared to the original release.
Utilising a tumbling reels system, winning symbols are removed and replaced with new ones. In terms of symbols, there's little difference compared to the original game. The highest paying symbol is the lizard, offering 20x the bet for six in a row. The rabbit symbol pays 3.75x for five in a row, the heart pendant gives 2x, the candles yield 1.5x, and the tarot cards pay 1.25x for a full line of six. Lower-value symbols include the conventional royal card symbols, with the Ace awarding 1.25x for six in a row, and the King, Queen, Jack, and 10 all providing 1x the bet for six of a kind. The wild symbol in the game is represented by Madame Mystique, which appears on all but the leftmost reel, and all wins with a wild are doubled in both the base game and bonus feature.
Madame Mystique Megaways maintains a relatively straightforward approach to its gameplay with a limited set of features. These primarily include a free spins wheel, free spins, and a bonus buy option, serving to enrich the basic mechanics of the slot.
The Free Spins feature in Madame Mystique Megaways is triggered by the bonus scatter symbols, which can appear on all reels. If 3 or more scatters appear on the reels, the free spins mode is activated. Additionally, these scatters come with a monetary value, rewarding players with 5x, 10x, 20x, or 100x their bet for landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatters, respectively.
Upon activation, the Wheel of Fortune comes into play before the bonus round starts. This wheel can award 5, 8, 10, or 12 initial free spins, along with a win multiplier of either x2, x3, x5, x8, x10, x15, x20, or 25x. The win multiplier is then applied to any wins during the free spins. If a player manages to hit 3 or more scatters during the free spins, a retrigger occurs. The Wheel of Fortune spins again, adding the newly awarded values to the player's current total.
Madame Mystique Megaways also includes a bonus buy option. For players in jurisdictions where this feature is allowed, they can activate free spins at any moment. This immediate access comes at the expense of 100 times the current bet.
Looking back at the original Madame Destiny Megaways, it might not have revolutionized the landscape of online slots, but it did carve out its own respectable position. It continues to attract players, testifying to a certain level of consistent success and appeal in the competitive gaming market.
Stepping into this already laid path, Madame Mystique Megaways arrives as an exclusive title for Stake Casino. Carrying the legacy of its predecessor, it remains fundamentally the same game, making it familiar terrain for players of the original. However, the significant standout aspect is its RTP - a high 98.03%. This improvement could indeed be a strong selling point, as RTP, generally speaking, has been on the decline in recent years due to over-regulation. It's, therefore, reasonable to infer that the increased RTP might generate a relative amount of success for Madame Mystique Megaways, similar to the original Madame Destiny Megaways.
However, it's important to clarify that this doesn't necessarily guarantee an overnight sensation or widespread acclaim for Madame Mystique Megaways. Instead, it might silently accrue a stable player base, primarily comprised of those who favored the original game and find the high RTP attractive. This approach of providing a slight upgrade to a proven model might not create a ripple in the industry, but it can be an effective way of ensuring steady gameplay and a constant flow of players, contributing to the ongoing success of Pragmatic Play's offerings.
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