Mystic Lanterns

Mystic Lanterns Bonus Features Overview

Feature Name	Description	Trigger / How it Works
All Ways Pays (720 Ways)	Wins are awarded for matching symbols on adjacent reels, regardless of position. The system pays from both left-to-right and right-to-left.	Active on every spin. Requires matching symbols on 3 or more adjacent reels starting from either reel 1 or reel 5.
Bonus Round	A pick-and-win feature where the player selects lanterns to reveal instant cash prizes. Up to 19 prizes can be won.	Triggered by landing three or more Bonus symbols on the reels.
Bonus Boost	A feature that applies a 2x multiplier to the winnings from the Bonus Round.	The Bonus Boost meter fills by landing specific symbols. When the bonus is triggered with the meter full, the multiplier is applied.
Mystic Lanterns Jackpots	A feature that awards one of five fixed jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, Mega, or Grand.	Triggered by landing the special Mystic Lantern symbols during the base game or bonus features.

What is the Core Gameplay of Mystic Lanterns?

The core gameplay of Mystic Lanterns revolves around its unique 3-4-5-4-3 reel layout and its 720 All Ways Pays system, which awards wins from both left to right and right to left. This structure ensures that every spin has a high potential for creating winning combinations across the asymmetrical grid.

The 3-4-5-4-3 Reel Structure Explained

The game grid is a visual palindrome: three symbols on the first and fifth reels, four on the second and fourth, and five on the central reel. This symmetrical design is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's fundamental to the game's mechanics. It creates a balanced field of play where the “Pays Both Ways” system can function effectively, making combinations starting from the right side just as viable as those starting from the left. This design choice is central to the game's rhythm and payout frequency.

How Do the 720 All Ways Pays System Work?

The 720 All Ways Pays system removes traditional paylines. A win is formed by landing identical symbols on any position on three or more adjacent reels. What sets Mystic Lanterns apart is that this system works in both directions. A combination of three matching symbols on reels 1, 2, and 3 constitutes a win, as does a combination on reels 5, 4, and 3. This effectively doubles the opportunities to form winning lines on any given spin and is a cornerstone of the base game's appeal.

Deciphering the Magical Bonus Rounds

The slot’s primary allure lies in its multi-layered bonus features, which provide a clear departure from the base game spins. These rounds are where players can unlock instant prizes through a selection game and enhance them with a strategic multiplier element.

How to Trigger the Main Bonus Round?

To activate the main Bonus Round, you must land three or more designated Bonus Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels during a single spin. This transports you to a separate screen where the instant prize selection game begins. The feature's design ensures a clear and exciting transition from the standard reel-spinning action to a more interactive game of choice and chance.

Inside the Instant Prize Selection Game

Once triggered, the Bonus Round presents you with a collection of ornate lanterns. Each lantern conceals a hidden instant cash value. You proceed by selecting lanterns one by one, accumulating their values. This continues until you unveil a “Collect” symbol, at which point the feature concludes, and the total accumulated prize is awarded. The setup allows for up to 19 successful picks, creating the potential for a substantial payout before the round ends.

What is the Role of the Bonus Boost Multiplier?

The Bonus Boost adds a strategic layer to the gameplay. Located on the side of the screen, a special meter fills up during base game play. When the main Bonus Round is triggered while this meter is active, a 2x multiplier is applied to the total sum of all instant prizes collected during the lantern selection game. This mechanic encourages longer play sessions as it doubles the potential reward of the entire feature, turning a good bonus round into a great one.

Chasing the Genie’s Fortune: The Mystic Lanterns Jackpots

Separate from the instant prize bonus, Mystic Lanterns offers a direct path to substantial wins through its five-tiered fixed jackpot system. This feature is tied to the game's namesake symbol, the Mystic Lantern, and is designed to award one of the game's top prizes instantly.

How are the Five Fixed Jackpots Won?

The five jackpots—Mini, Minor, Major, Mega, and Grand—are won by landing special Mystic Lantern symbols on the reels. The appearance of these symbols can trigger the jackpot prize directly. The value of each jackpot is fixed and displayed prominently on the screen, so you are always aware of the potential win. This mechanism provides a constant source of high-stakes excitement, as any spin could potentially result in a significant jackpot payout, independent of the main bonus game.

What are the Payouts and Symbols in Mystic Lanterns?

The paytable in Mystic Lanterns is clearly structured, with symbols that align with its Magic-themed narrative of adventure and riches. It is divided into high-value thematic symbols and lower-value symbols represented by card suits.

Symbol Payout Values

High-paying symbols are represented by the Genie, a treasure chest, a green scroll, and a glowing blue orb. The Genie is the most valuable symbol, offering the highest payout for a five-of-a-kind combination. The lower-paying symbols consist of four stylized card suits: red hearts, purple diamonds, green clubs, and blue spades. All payouts are awarded according to the 720 All Ways Pays system, requiring three or more matching symbols on adjacent reels.

The Significance of Special Symbols

Beyond the standard paying symbols, the game includes two critical special symbols. The Bonus Scatter symbol is the key to unlocking the instant prize selection game. The Mystic Lantern symbol is your ticket to one of the five fixed jackpots. These symbols do not need to land on adjacent reels to activate their respective features, providing game-changing potential on any spin.

Unveiling the Secrets of the Lanterns

• Architectural Heritage: The golden statues flanking the reels are not generic decorations. They are modeled after the Lamassu, protective deities from ancient Mesopotamian and Persian mythology. This specific cultural reference gives the game a more authentic feel, placing it within a rich tapestry of History-inspired fantasy rather than just a general Arabian setting.
• Symmetrical Design Philosophy: The 3-4-5-4-3 reel layout is a palindrome. This symmetrical structure isn't just for visual appeal; it's a deliberate design choice that makes the Pays Both Ways mechanic feel natural and balanced, ensuring winning combinations flow intuitively from either side of the grid.
• The Payout Ceiling: The game's information screen clearly states a maximum payout of 8,000 times the current bet. This acts as a hard cap on winnings from a single game round, ensuring that even a Grand Jackpot win combined with other payouts will not exceed this defined limit.

How Does Mystic Lanterns Compare to Other Arabian-Themed Slots?

When placed alongside other popular Arabian themed slots, Mystic Lanterns carves out its own niche. For example, comparing it to Pragmatic Play's Lamp of Infinity, the differences in game philosophy become apparent. Lamp of Infinity focuses on a high-volatility free spins round with expanding wilds and multipliers. In contrast, Mystic Lanterns offers a more multi-faceted experience with its pick-and-win bonus, jackpot chase, and the core Pays Both Ways mechanic.

Mystic Lanterns appeals to players who enjoy multiple, distinct bonus features within a single game. While other slots may offer higher single-feature potential, this game provides more variety in its gameplay loop. Its focus on fixed jackpots also differentiates it from games with progressive or escalating prize pools, offering clearly defined win targets. The atmosphere is less cartoonish than many genie titles, leaning into a more mystical and serious Fantasy aesthetic.

Expert's Take by Vlad Hvalov: “Don't be fooled by the frequent small wins from the ‘Pays Both Ways' feature. The true potential is locked behind the bonus rounds. Use the Mystic Lanterns demo to gauge how many spins, on average, it takes to trigger the lantern selection.”

What is the Volatility and RTP of Mystic Lanterns?

Mystic Lanterns has a stated Return to Player (RTP) of 96.09%. This figure places it in line with the industry average for modern video slots. The game's volatility is best described as medium-high.

This volatility level means the gameplay can feature periods of smaller, more frequent wins, largely thanks to the 720 Ways and Pays Both Ways mechanics. However, the most substantial payouts are concentrated within the two main bonus features—the instant prize round and the jackpots. Players should anticipate a gameplay experience where the bankroll is maintained by base game hits while they pursue the less frequent but significantly more rewarding bonus events. This balance makes it a suitable game for those who appreciate both consistent action and the thrill of chasing a large prize. This game is a proper Treasure hunt for a patient player.

Expert's Take by Vlad Hvalov: “Pay close attention to the Bonus Boost meter. Understanding how its accumulation works is key to maximizing the instant prize feature. A triggered bonus without the 2x multiplier is a significantly different proposition in terms of payout potential.”

Expert Tips for Playing the Mystic Lanterns Demo

Using the Mystic Lanterns free play version is the ideal way to understand its mechanics without any risk. The demo provides a complete picture of the game's flow, from the base game's win frequency to the activation rate of its bonus rounds.

First, focus on understanding the rhythm of the 720 Ways system. See how often winning combinations land from right-to-left versus left-to-right. This will give you a feel for the base game's volatility. Second, play enough spins to trigger both the Bonus Round and see the Mystic Lantern symbols appear. This is crucial for evaluating how these features contribute to the overall payout structure. Finally, use the demo to simulate a betting strategy. See how a specific bet level holds up over several hundred spins to better prepare for real money play, should you choose to pursue it. The Mystic Lanterns demo is an essential tool for strategic preparation.

Final Verdict: Is Mystic Lanterns Worth Your Time?

Mystic Lanterns is a well-crafted slot from Realistic Games that successfully combines several engaging mechanics into a cohesive and atmospheric package. Its primary strengths are the dual-bonus system, which caters to players who like both interactive pick-and-win features and the thrill of a jackpot hunt. The 3-4-5-4-3 layout with 720 ways paying in both directions is another significant advantage, ensuring the base game remains active and interesting.

The game’s medium-high volatility and 96.09% RTP make it a balanced, albeit potentially streaky, experience. The aesthetic, drawing from a rich Mythology of genies and ancient deities, is executed with a high level of polish. I would recommend this slot to players who are looking for more than a simple spin-and-win experience. If you enjoy games with multiple features to unlock and a theme that is both magical and mysterious, the Mystic Lanterns slot is a compelling choice that is well worth exploring in its demo version.

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