The 5-reel, 20-line slot 9 Masks of Fire is one of the latest creations to result from Microgaming’s exclusive partnership with independent game developer Gameburger Studios. This tribal-themed game takes slot fans on a spinning adventure that can earn them up to 2,000x their stake. Microgaming and their partners at Gameburger have done an excellent job of crafting a classic slot enhanced with several exciting twists.
In 9 Masks of Fire, players will come across familiar features found in most video slots, including free spins, win multipliers, scatters, and wilds. “What’s new, then?” you may ask. The center of attention here is the meter to the left of the reel grid, which holds the key to winning up to $480,000 in instant cash prizes.
| 9 Masks of Fire Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Microgaming (in partnership with Gameburger Studios) |
| Payline Number | 20 fixed paylines |
| RTP | 96.24% |
| Min Bet | $0.20 |
| Max Bet | $240 |
| Wild Symbol | Blue Diamond |
| Scatter Symbol | Golden Mask |
| Bonus Features | Up to 30 Free Spins with up to 3x multipliers on the winnings |
| Jackpot | Up to 2,000x the winning bet |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of 9 Masks of Fire Slot
As befits a game with this name, the spinning action in 9 Masks of Fire takes place against a fiery red backdrop, with sparks flying across a standard 5×3 reel grid. The slot pays for winning combinations that form across 20 fixed paylines and boasts a bet range of $0.20 to $240 per spin, although the ceiling is casino-specific.
The game does not show much originality in terms of symbol design, as it uses mostly classic icons all reel spinners know well. The regular winning combinations are formed with orthodox Lucky 7s, bars, cherries, bells, and dollar signs. These return the following payouts for five matches in the base game:
- Triple Lucky 7s pay out 37.5x the bet
- Double Lucky 7s return a payout of 20x the bet
- A single Lucky 7 pays out 7.5x the bet
- Any combination of a Lucky 7 and the dollar sign offers returns of 3.25x the bet
- Bells pay out 2x the bet
- Cherries and bars both yield even-money payouts
The game designers have thrown in two special symbols to make things a bit more interesting. The first thing to keep your eyes peeled for is the diamond wild, which substitutes for all other icons except for the free spin symbols and the scattered masks. The wild is particularly rewarding, offering returns of 125x your stake for five matches.
Its winning potential is surpassed only by that of the scattered golden mask. The latter awards cash prizes up to 2,000x your bet for nine matches. Being scattered, the masks can land anywhere on the reels and pay out as long as the required number of symbols appears. You need at least three scatters to land simultaneously during a spin to earn the minimum even-money reward. When this happens, the reel grid will go ablaze.
Bonus Features of 9 Masks of Fire Slot
Apart from the scatters and wilds, Gameburger Studios has equipped 9 Masks of Fire with a round of free spins. To further add to the excitement, the round comes with multipliers on the winnings generated during the feature. Players should keep their eyes peeled for symbols featuring the golden shield that reads Free Spins.
Three of these appearing simultaneously on the second, third, and fourth reels give you a chance to set the Free Spin Wheel in motion. This is when things can heat up for you. The shields are also scattered and will reward you with an even-money payout before you get to spin the bonus wheel.
Once the prize is credited to your balance, you will exit the base game for a new screen that features a wheel with ten wedges. Each wedge contains a number of free spins and a multiplier on the amounts you win for the duration of the feature. You can get 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, or 30 bonus spins, with 2x or 3x multipliers applied to your earnings. One thing to bear in mind, though, is that the multiplier does not work on winning combinations formed with the scattered mask symbols.
The developers have compensated for this by giving you the option to retrigger the free spins. The number of bonus rounds you receive after the retrigger depends on the initial trigger. For example, if you originally unlocked 20 free spins with a 2x boost on wins, you can retrigger another 20 for a total of 40 with the same 2x multiplier. There is no ceiling on the number of retriggers players can achieve.
Verdict
All in all, 9 Masks of Fire is a slot release that will most likely appeal to fans of old-school, land-based fruit machines. The game makes use of all the familiar symbols inherent to the one-arm bandits of bygone days, but compensates with several modern twists that greatly enhance its winning potential. However, if you want something more unorthodox in terms of gameplay, you might have to look elsewhere.