Shogun’s Secret

Shogun's Secret is set in feudal Japan, immersing players in the rich cultural tapestry of ancient Japanese history. The game's visual design features traditional Japanese elements such as cherry blossoms, decorative archways, and iconic symbols like blue vases and fans.

The background is a simple dark brown with Japanese symbols, creating an understated ambiance that allows players to focus on the reels. The wooden frame surrounding the play area reinforces the traditional Japanese aesthetic. While not groundbreaking in its visual presentation, the game effectively captures the essence of its theme.

Core Game Mechanics

Shogun's Secret features a 5-reel, 3-row layout with a choice of 5 or 10 paylines. This flexibility in payline selection is somewhat unusual and allows players to adjust their gameplay strategy. The game offers a betting range from £0.05 to £100 per spin, accommodating both casual players and those who prefer higher stakes.

The paytable includes card symbols (J, Q, K, A) as lower-paying icons, while theme-specific symbols like cherry blossoms, archways, vases, and fans offer higher payouts. The Samurai warrior serves as the highest-paying regular symbol, offering up to 500x the line stake for five across a payline.

The game's volatility is described as medium, striking a balance between frequency and size of payouts. With an RTP of 96.05%, it sits slightly above the industry average, offering fair returns to players over time.

Bonus Features

1. Wild Symbol: The wild symbol in Shogun's Secret is represented by a rolled-up scroll. This symbol not only substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations but also expands to cover the entire reel when it appears. This expanding wild feature significantly enhances the potential for multiple winning lines in a single spin.
2. Free Spins Feature: The free spins bonus is triggered by landing three or more temple scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Initially, players are awarded 12 free spins. During this feature, the game introduces a unique symbol upgrade mechanic:
   • Each time a wild scroll symbol appears during free spins, it upgrades the lowest-paying symbol currently on the reels to the next higher-paying symbol.
   • This upgrade system can lead to more valuable winning combinations as the feature progresses.
   • Additional free spins can be won during the feature: 1 wild scroll adds 1 extra spin, 2 wilds add 3 spins, and 3 wilds add 12 spins.
3. Gamble Feature: After any winning spin, players have the option to gamble their winnings in one of two ways: a) Card Gamble: Players guess the color of a face-down playing card (red or black) to double their win. b) Ladder Gamble: A timing-based game where players can potentially increase their win by stopping at the right moment on a ladder of increasing values. Both gamble features can be repeated multiple times, allowing for significant win multiplication, but also carrying the risk of losing the initial win.

The most intriguing aspect of Shogun's Secret is its symbol upgrade mechanism during the free spins feature. This innovative approach adds a progressive element to the bonus round, potentially increasing the value of wins as the feature continues. It creates a sense of anticipation and escalating potential with each wild scroll that appears, offering a fresh twist on the traditional free spins concept.