Shambala is an online casino slot machine game developed by Games Global (formerly known as Microgaming), a renowned software provider in the iGaming industry. The game is based on the mystical and exotic theme of Tibet, where players embark on an adventure to discover hidden treasures within the temple complex.
Game Theme and win today Design
Upon launching the game, players are transported to a serene and majestic setting inspired by Tibetan architecture. Vibrant colors such as turquoise blue, crimson red, gold, and deep indigo dominate the landscape, evoking feelings of luxury and mysticism. The game’s background is an intricate design depicting a temple complex nestled in snow-capped mountains. At nightfall, soft lanterns light up the surroundings, casting warm glows across the reels.
The symbols used in Shambala are beautifully crafted to resemble traditional Tibetan artifacts and treasures, such as golden idols, Buddha statues, and intricately designed scrollwork. Each symbol has a unique animation effect when it lands on the reels, adding an extra layer of visual appeal.
Symbols and Payouts
Shambala features 10 high-paying symbols in total:
- Golden Idols
- Tibetan Thangkas (colorful Buddhist artwork)
- Buddha Statues (of various sizes)
- Incense Burners
- Temple Bells
- Dragon Heads (used as wild substitutes)
Additionally, there are five low-paying symbols consisting of playing card values from 9 to A.
The payouts for each symbol range widely, reflecting their respective place in the game’s hierarchy:
- Low-paying cards: 1-10 times the total bet per line
- Temple Bells and Incense Burners: up to 100 times the total bet per line
- Buddha Statues (small): up to 250 times the total bet per line
- Thangkas and Golden Idols: up to 500 times the total bet per line
Wild Symbols and Scatter
In Shambala, Wild symbols are represented by Dragon Heads. They can replace all other high-paying symbols on the reels, providing a higher chance of winning combinations.
The game’s scatter symbol is depicted as an intricately designed Scrollwork item, often referred to as "Bonus." When three or more Bonus Scatters appear in any position on the reels (not required to be adjacent), they initiate a Free Spins feature with an additional Re-Spins function.
Free Spins Feature
Activated when 3, 4, 5, or 6 Scatters land anywhere across the grid:
- For 3 Scatters: 12 free spins
- For 4 Scatters: 20 free spins + Re-Spin (each spin has a chance to be multiplied up to 10 times)
- For 5 Scatters: 30 free spins
- For 6 Scatters: 40 Free Spins with an initial 3x multiplier applied
In this feature, Dragon Heads turn Wild and can appear on the first reel only. Each winning combination is also multiplied by a randomly assigned factor of 2-10.
Re-Spins Feature
After every free spin (or any re-spun free spin), players are granted one additional Free Spin with a guaranteed Wild Reel Lock feature: A wild symbol appears and remains locked on the first reel throughout this single extra spin, raising the player’s chances of scoring significant wins.
Bonus Features
There is no separate bonus round in Shambala. Instead, when three or more Scatters appear (irrespective of position), players proceed directly to Free Spins mode as explained above.
RTP and Volatility
The RTP for this slot machine game has been reported by Games Global at 94%, which aligns with industry standards for a high-variance machine.
Shambala features moderate volatility due to its potential for large payouts in conjunction with frequent small wins. As expected, larger stakes lead to greater opportunities of earning significant sums but carry proportionally higher risks.
Betting Range
Wagers are available from as little as 0.05 up to a maximum bet per spin of 60 credits. The dynamic coin value mechanism within the game ensures that players always have an optimal wager according to their balance and preferences.
Max Win
According to official reports, Shambala has been known to award jackpots reaching up to 100 times a player’s total stake or €1 million (in case of bet maximum).
Gameplay Experience
While not possessing an extraordinary number of features compared to some modern releases, the slot maintains engaging and unpredictable gameplay. The smooth animation system responds promptly even under high-speed gameplay settings.
The presence of wilds on reels 2-4 creates a higher probability of winning combinations in comparison to traditional fixed-wild configurations seen in many slots.
Mobile Play
Shambala is optimized for both desktop and mobile play through web-based versions available on various platforms such as Windows, Android (for some older models), iOS, or cross-platform devices running modern operating systems like Mac OS and Linux. Mobile app adaptations may also be found online; however, compatibility details vary.
Player Experience
While lacking an exceptional user interface design compared to newer titles, Shambala delivers on its mystical allure with a seamless blend of traditional Tibetan culture and cutting-edge graphics effects.
Some players appreciate the balance between low-frequency large payouts and consistent small wins offered in this game. The absence of auto-play features or random wild appearances restricts some player preferences but overall contributes positively by ensuring an even playing field for all bettors regardless of strategy implementation.
Analysis
The game demonstrates solid execution across its main mechanics: free spins feature, re-spins function, RTP percentage, betting range options – and more – to provide players with satisfying entertainment value. Despite lacking cutting-edge features such as ‘respun’ reels (the addition or the removal of wilds during spins), Shambala’s intricate blend between visual design elements enhances its overall player engagement.
In summary, for slots enthusiasts searching for titles based on Eastern mystical themes combined with smooth animations and competitive RTP figures, Shambala provides a captivating experience to consider.