Book of Grimm

“Book of Grimm” by Holle Games immerses players in a visual style reminiscent of classic fairytale illustrations. The backdrop features a softly lit room, possibly a library or study, with ornate details that suggest a connection to the magical world of the Brothers Grimm. The symbols on the reels include iconic characters that appear to be inspired by well-known fairytales, such as a blonde princess, a character resembling Little Red Riding Hood, and a dark-haired temptress who could be interpreted as an evil queen or a witch.

The overall aesthetic is both enchanting and slightly dark, hinting at the complex and often morally ambiguous nature of the original Grimm tales. The color palette is rich and varied, with the symbols standing out against the darker background. The graphics are sharp and well-rendered, contributing to a polished and immersive experience. It's like flipping through the pages of an ancient, magical tome, where each spin reveals a new chapter in a familiar yet distinct story.

Slot Mechanics

“Book of Grimm” operates on a 5×3 reel layout with 10 fixed paylines. This configuration is a staple in the world of online slots, offering a balance between simplicity and engagement. The game's RTP is stated as 94.45%, which is slightly below the industry average, but not atypical for games with this kind of theme and bonus structure. The betting range is quite flexible, starting from a minimum bet of €0.10 and going up to a maximum of €50.00 per spin.

Wins are calculated from left to right, and only the highest win per active payline is paid. The game utilizes a standard set of symbols, including the familiar 10, J, Q, K, and A card symbols, which are rendered in a style that complements the fairytale theme. The character symbols are the higher-paying ones, with the dark-haired temptress offering the highest payout of 500x the stake for five on a payline.

The Book symbol serves as both the wild and scatter, a common feature in “Book of” slots. As a wild, it substitutes for any other symbol except the scatter to complete winning combinations. This dual function adds an extra layer of excitement to the base game, as every appearance of the Book symbol holds the potential for both immediate wins and triggering the bonus round.

Bonus Features

The core of “Book of Grimm” is its Book Feature, activated when three or more Book symbols land anywhere on the reels. This awards 10 Free Spins. However, before the Free Spins commence, a special expanding symbol is randomly chosen. This mechanic is similar to turning a page in a book to reveal a hidden secret or a pivotal plot point.

During the Free Spins, after the payout of regular symbols, the special symbol expands vertically to cover the entire reel if enough symbols are present for a win. The expanding symbol can lead to substantial payouts, especially if it's one of the higher-paying character symbols. The expansion occurs even on non-adjacent positions, which significantly increases the chances of hitting big wins.

Another interesting aspect of the Free Spins is that they can be retriggered by landing three or more Book symbols during the bonus round. While there is no specific limit to the number of retriggers, each retrigger awards an additional 10 Free Spins with the same expanding symbol. This can lead to extended bonus rounds with the potential for accumulating significant wins, much like a story that keeps unfolding with unexpected twists and turns.

Gamble Features

“Book of Grimm” also offers two optional gamble features that provide an opportunity to multiply winnings: the Card Gamble and the Ladder Gamble.

Card Gamble: This is a classic “red or black” gamble where players guess the color of the next card in a deck. A correct guess doubles the winnings, while an incorrect guess forfeits them. There is also an option to guess the suit of the card, which quadruples the winnings if correct.

Ladder Gamble: This feature presents a ladder with increasing prize values. Players have three lives and can either move up a rung if they win or move down a rung if they lose. If they run out of lives or reach the bottom rung, they lose all winnings.

Both gamble features offer a strategic element, as players can choose to collect their winnings at any time or take a partial gamble. The maximum win possible in the mini-games is 5000x the stake, adding an extra layer of thrill for those who enjoy taking risks.

“Book of Grimm” is a solid addition to the “Book of” genre, offering a blend of familiar mechanics and a captivating theme. While the RTP is a bit on the lower side, the potential for big wins during the Free Spins, coupled with the gamble features, makes it an attractive option for players who enjoy high-volatility gameplay. The expanding symbol mechanic during the Free Spins is the highlight of the game, providing moments of intense anticipation and excitement.