In a world brimming with fantastical creatures, one might instinctively recoil from the idea of setting them free—unless, of course, the objective is to unleash havoc or spread terror among the population using these formidable beings, complete with their menacing claws and supernatural prowess. But here we find ourselves in the captivating realm of “Monsters Unchained,” an online slot game developed by Red Tiger. Surprisingly, in this game, players are driven to unchain these monstrous entities as frequently as possible. The reason is quite simple: each of the three formidable monsters in the game brings forth a unique modifier, and the more one sets them free, the greater their potential impact.
The stage set for “Monsters Unchained” is a dimly lit and foreboding location reminiscent of an oubliette—a place where individuals, things, or even monsters are relegated to obscurity and neglect. Picture a medieval dungeon concealed deep within the recesses of an ancient castle, replete with iron grates, thick stone walls, flickering torches, scattered bones, and murky, unsettling water. It’s the ideal backdrop for a game featuring three iconic figures from Greek mythology: the fearsome Minotaur, the dreaded Medusa, and the formidable Cerberus—the three-headed hound. These legendary characters are no strangers to the world of iGaming. Positioned alongside the game grid, each one is associated with a meter that fills up when specific Chain Breaker symbols make their appearance. The significance of this process will become abundantly clear as you delve deeper into the game.
Before we delve into the heart of the action, there are some essential details to note about “Monsters Unchained.” This slot game by Red Tiger is characterized by high volatility, offering an RTP slightly above the typical rate for Red Tiger games, standing at an impressive 96%. The game unfolds on a dynamic reel set, featuring 5 reels, 3 rows, and 243 ways to win by default. However, the reel configuration can expand when the mighty Minotaur is set free. Wagering options commence at a modest 10 pence/cents and can escalate to a maximum of £/€10 per spin.
In “Monsters Unchained,” winning combinations come to life when identical symbols land on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel and moving towards the right. The game encompasses a total of 9 regular paying symbols, including 5 low-value symbols represented by the 10-A card ranks, while the remaining symbols consist of a shackle, an axe, a lamp, and a chest filled with golden treasures. Achieving a 5-of-a-kind winning combination results in a payout of 0.4 to 0.8 times the bet for the low-value symbols and a more rewarding 1 to 3 times the bet for the high-value ones. Wild symbols exclusively make their appearance as a result of the Medusa modifier, adept at substituting for any other paying symbol.
Monsters Unchained: Slot Features
“Monsters Unchained” unfolds its base game in cycles of 10 thrilling spins. During the first nine spins within a cycle, any landing Chain Breaker symbols are diligently collected within the corresponding Monsters’ meters. Each meter comprises three distinct steps, with breaking a monster’s chains advancing it by one step. It’s on the tenth spin within the cycle that the monsters, if they have at least one of their chains broken, unleash their respective features. The potency of these features is directly proportional to the number of chains that have been successfully broken. After the tenth spin, the meters are meticulously cleared, making way for the commencement of the next cycle of spins.
In the world of “Monsters Unchained,” there are three types of Chain Breaker symbols, each distinguished by their colors: red, green, and blue. These symbols can make appearances on all spins within a cycle except the tenth. Notably, only one Chain Breaker symbol can land on a single spin, with the possibility of up to three Chain Breaker symbols of the same type appearing within a cycle of 10 spins. Each monster corresponds to a specific type of Chain Breaker symbol:
- Minotaur – The red Chain Breaker symbol is the key to breaking the Minotaur’s chains. When this occurs, on the tenth spin, the reels expand, adopting configurations of 5×4, 5×5, or even 6×5, offering 1,024, 3,125, or an astonishing 15,625 ways to win, depending on whether 1, 2, or 3 chains have been destroyed, respectively.
- Medusa – Medusa’s chains yield to the power of the green Chain Breaker symbol. When released, on the tenth spin, Medusa introduces 2 or 3, 4 or 5, or even 6 or 7 wild symbols onto the reels, depending on whether 1, 2, or 3 chains have been shattered. It’s worth noting that these wilds will refrain from occupying positions on the first or last reels, irrespective of the grid size.
- Cerberus – The blue Chain Breaker symbol is the key to unshackling Cerberus. On the tenth spin, when at least one of Cerberus’ chains has been broken, the fearsome beast bestows a win multiplier of either x2 or x3, x4 or x5, or even x6 or x7, depending on whether 1, 2, or 3 chains have been successfully destroyed.
Monsters Unchained Free Spins
Unlocking the free spins feature in “Monsters Unchained” requires the landing of 3 Monster scatters on reels 1, 3, and 5. Successfully accomplishing this triggers a set of 10 free spins. It’s important to note that scatters do not make appearances on the tenth spin of a cycle, nor do they grace the reels during free spins. Furthermore, any chains that have been broken in the base game are not carried over to the bonus round.
In the free spins round of “Monsters Unchained,” when a chain is successfully broken, its effect takes effect starting from the subsequent free spins onward. The reel expansion and win multiplier, if initiated, continue to be active. Medusa takes on the role of introducing wild symbols to random positions on the reels during each free spin until the feature concludes. An intriguing aspect of the free spins round is that breaking all of a monster’s chains awards an additional 3 free spins, allowing for a maximum of 19 free spins to be won. Once the free spins feature concludes, players seamlessly return to the base game, resuming the chain status from where it was left off.
Monsters Unchained: Summary
For a thrilling foray into the darker realms of mythology, “Monsters Unchained” offers a captivating experience for players with a penchant for monstrous adventures. This slot game is particularly well-suited for those who appreciate gameplay mechanics that revolve around accumulating modifiers throughout a series of spins, culminating in a climactic final spin. While not an overly common mechanic, Red Tiger has skillfully harnessed its potential in this game, and for several compelling reasons. The thematic connection to monsters, chaining, and the overall visual aesthetics of “Monsters Unchained” align seamlessly with Red Tiger’s renowned high-quality design standards.
What sets this slot apart is the presence of three distinct features rather than a single one. Unlike games where the initial spins merely lay the groundwork for specific symbol placements, followed by the introduction of a wild on the tenth spin, “Monsters Unchained” offers players the possibility of unlocking three highly advantageous modifiers on the final spin of a cycle. These modifiers encompass expanded reels and ways, win multipliers, and additional wilds. This tantalizing prospect of stacking modifiers adds an engaging layer of excitement to the base game. As is often the case, the free spins round is where the game truly shines, thanks to the enduring nature of the features. Coupled with the ways-to-win gaming grid, which enhances winning potential, “Monsters Unchained” offers the tantalizing opportunity to achieve wins of up to 10,500 times the initial bet.
With its progressive and collectible features and a harmonious blend of gaming elements, “Monsters Unchained” invites players on a thrilling journey through the depths of a dungeon, with three formidable yet potentially rewarding monsters in pursuit. However, those who are not enthusiastic about progression or collection-based slots may find this game less appealing.