Mystic Chief

Pragmatic Play have become known as a developer to release a high volume of games throughout the year. This means we can usually expect something to cater to every player, with such a vast array on offer. Their newest offering, Mystic Chief, continues the experience we have come to expect from the team at Pragmatic – highly volatile, with wins up to 5,000x bet on offer. However, alongside this standard, Mystic Chief also offers players expanding, multiplying wilds, a free spins feature that can be upgraded to Super Free Spins, a default RTP of 96.55%*, and 576 ways to win. Let’s dig a bit deeper into this release…

*other settings are available.

Mystic Chief Base Game

Mystic Chief Base Features

Taking place across 5 reels, a total of 576 ways to win are available on Mystic Chief, with wins formed by matching at least 3 symbols on adjacent reels in any position, beginning at the leftmost reel. Symbols available to form wins include lower paying offerings of totems, flutes, axes, knives and drums, paying between 0.05 and 0.10x bet for 3 of a kind matches, increasing to wins between 1 and 1.25x bet for 5 of a kind matches. At the premium end, panthers and wolves reward players with wins of 0.15x bet for 3 of a kind, and wins between 1.5 and 2x bet for 5 of a kind. Next, horses and eagles are worth values of 0.2x bet for 3 of a kind, increasing to wins between 2.5 and 3x bet for 5 of a kind matches. Finally, the female character on offer is worth values of 0.25x bet for 3 of a kind, up to 5x bet for 5 of a kind. 

Expanding Wilds Carry a Random Multiplier Between x1-x10

Two different wild features are on offer within the base game, the first of which is expanding wilds. Substituting for all symbols except Scatters and Dreamcatchers, the expanding wild feature occurs when a wild chief symbol lands on reels 2, 3 or 4. When it lands, it expands to fill every position on the reel, and receives a random multiplier between x1 and x10 that is applied to the win of the spin. More than one expanding wild can land in view, and if this happens the multipliers are added together.

Next, blue dreamcatcher bonus symbols can land on reels 1 and 5. When two bonus symbols land, a random number of symbols on reels 2, 3 and 4 are transformed into wilds. These wilds do not expand.

Mystic Chief Random Wilds Feature

Mystic Chief Bonus

Scatter symbols can appear on reels 2, 3 and 4, and landing 3 triggers 8 free spins. During free spins, one expanded wild symbol is guaranteed on every spin in a random position, again with a random multiplier between x1 and x10. Each time a bonus symbol lands +1 free spins are awarded.

If two bonus symbols land during free spins, +2 free spins are awarded, and the bonus symbols become sticky, triggering Super Free Spins. In this feature, a random number of symbols on reels 2-4 are transformed into non-sticky wild symbols on every spin. Super Free Spins cannot be retriggered.

3 Scatters Trigger 8 Free Spins

The maximum win available is 5,000x bet. If this value is reached, the feature will end and 5,000x bet will be awarded.

First Impression

The first thing noticeable about Mystic Chief is the lack of feature buy available – which is odd for a Pragmatic release these days. However, it will be good news for players in regions without access to this option, and may feel as if this levels the playing field slightly.

In terms of the playing experience, features are frequent, although without the multipliers available it can be difficult to achieve those big hits. When things interact in just the right way, however, we see how wins up to 5,000x bet are on offer – with the potential for 3 expanding wilds with multipliers as high as x10.

The ability to upgrade free spins to Super Free Spins is not necessarily new, but isn’t something we’ve come to expect from Pragmatic. Adding a random number of non-sticky wilds feels reminiscent of the Deadwood Shoot Out feature from Nolimit City, which has proved increasingly popular, so this feature should be no different – if anything, it may feel slightly more achievable with lower volatility levels and a lower win cap available.

Overall, Mystic Chief is a nice addition to the ever-growing catalogue from the team. Although it may not gain the recognition of the likes of Fruit Party 2, things are reasonably fun, with the right kind of features to keep things ticking over.

*The screenshots taken of games reviewed on this site are taken from Demo Play, as reviews are often written before games are released for real play.