Once again, reel spinners have the chance to explore Asian culture thanks to Playtech’s new video slot, Lotus Heart. The gambling industry is oversaturated with Asian-themed slots, but Playtech has taken a distinctive approach to introduce a one-of-a-kind slot that reflects Asian culture from a unique perspective.
Instead of using hackneyed symbols such as dragons, fortune cats, and gold ingots, the software company found inspiration in nature and the signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Moreover, the game comes with exciting features and tempting cash prizes. The reels are set against a blue background that depicts the night sky, and the nature theme is further enhanced by swinging leaves above the grid.
| Lotus Heart Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Playtech |
| Payline Number | 243 |
| RTP | 96.15% |
| Min Bet | $0.10 |
| Max Bet | $500 |
| Wild Symbol | Yes, it appears only on reels 2, 3, and 4 during the base game. |
| Scatter Symbol | Yes, 3 scatters on reels 2, 3, and 4 will unlock the free spins bonus round. |
| Bonus Features | Free Spins, Respins, Expanded Wild Reel, Multipliers |
| Jackpot | The maximum win during the base game is 1,458x. |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of Lotus Heart Slot
Lotus Heart features a 5×3 setup and 243 paylines running across the screen. The winning combinations consist of at least 3 identical symbols on a single payline. Each symbol combination comes with a specific value that is determined by the size of your bet and the number of matching symbols appearing on an active payline.
The basic building blocks are the playing card symbols, which are considered low-paying. The maximum payout they offer is 0.50x the bet for landing 5 symbols of the same type. The higher-value symbols depict various animals from the Chinese Zodiac, namely a pig, rooster, dog, rabbit, and rat. The pig is the highest-paying symbol, awarding up to 6x the bet. The rooster offers a maximum payout of 3x the bet, while the dog and rabbit award up to 2x and 1.50x the bet, respectively. The rat symbol pays up to 1x the bet.
Visually, the symbols are beautifully designed, capturing the finest details. These small inhabitants of the reels are rendered as pencil sketches, a creative choice that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
The game also features a scatter and a wild, both of which appear only on reels 2, 3, and 4. The wild symbol is represented by a beautiful lotus, while the scatter bears a golden paw print. In addition to its main role of substituting for all paying symbols, the wild also has a special function that we discuss below.
Bonus Features of Lotus Heart Slot
Whenever a wild symbol appears on reels 2, 3, or 4, it expands to cover all positions on that reel. Note that expanded wild reels do not appear during the free spins.
The free spins feature is triggered when 3 scatters land on reels 2, 3, and 4. Slot fans are then awarded 5 free spins. During this bonus round, the wild symbol never lands on the reels. Instead, 3 koi fish swim around the reels, transforming any symbol they land on into a wild.
If a koi fish lands on a high-paying animal symbol, you will receive a respin applied to all 5 reels. The reels that featured a koi fish before the respin will be improved, meaning that any low-paying symbols on these reels are removed. Lotus Heart also features multiplier wilds that can boost your winnings by up to 3x if any of the 3 koi fish land on a wild. As a result, the maximum win available during the free spins bonus round rises to 4,374x the bet.
Lotus Heart offers a solid range of bonus features that increase players’ winning potential. In summary, this slot has 4 main bonus features: free spins, respins, multiplier wilds, and expanding reels. The animated koi fish that swim around the reels are a perfect addition to the game.
Verdict
Lotus Heart is an Asian-inspired slot that features a unique astral theme and generous payouts. It also offers several bonus features that will certainly whet the appetite of many players. Slot enthusiasts will appreciate the top-quality graphics of this game. Even if you play on a smartphone or tablet, the game does not compromise on quality.