Introduction

Rich Wilde, Play’n GO poster boy and widely travelled veteran adventurer, embarks on yet another expedition in search of gold and glory in this H.P Lovecraft inspired game titled Tome of Madness. This slot machine represents the fourth installment in Play’n GO’s popular Rich Wilde series, taking players on a dark journey into the mysterious world of the Cthulhu Mythos. Released in 2019, this cluster-pays slot offers a unique gaming experience that combines horror-themed storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics.

Game Overview and Basic Information

Developer: Play’n GO
Release Year: 2019
Game Type: Video Slot
Grid Size: 5×5
Paylines: Cluster Pays System
RTP: 96.59%
Volatility: High
Maximum Win: 2,000x your stake
Betting Range: £0.10 to £100

Theme and Visual Design

Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness is a truly unique gaming experience combining an absolutely smashing interpretation of the horror fiction of H. P. Lovecraft and mechanics proven in a few previous Play’n GO games. The game takes place in a dark, forgotten hall where Rich Wilde stands confidently beside the reels, holding the ancient Book of Madness.

The visual presentation is outstanding, featuring ominous graphics, gothic backdrops, and haunting sound effects that create an immersive atmosphere. From the ominous intro with a menacing quote to powerful sound effects and spectacular animations, all elements create a gripping atmosphere. The developers have successfully captured the unsettling mood of Lovecraft’s universe while maintaining enough vibrant colors and radiant lighting to keep the experience engaging rather than overwhelming.

Game Mechanics and Symbols

Grid Structure and Winning System

Play’n GO have used a 5×5 cascading grid for The Tome of Madness slot machine. Rather than traditional paylines, you need to match four or more symbols vertically, diagonally, or horizontally. The cluster-pays system creates winning combinations when four or more identical symbols connect in clusters, either horizontally or vertically.

Symbol Categories

The game features eight paying symbols divided into two categories:

Low-Paying Symbols:

• Green, blue, red, and purple stones with alien writings on them
• These symbols award from 2x to 6x the bet for matching 10 or more in a cluster

High-Paying Symbols:

• Cthulhu skulls, rings, daggers and octopus pendants
• The latter being the most valuable giving you 100 times your stake for a cluster of 10+ symbols

Wild Symbols

The game includes three different types of Wild symbols:

1. Special Wild: The book (Tome of Madness/Necronomicon) acts as the standard wild symbol
2. Multiplier Wild: Rich Wilde himself is a Multiplier Wild, which doubles any win
3. Mega Wild: The alien-like octopus creature is the Mega Wild which can only appear in the bonus round

Key Features and Gameplay Mechanics

Cascading Reels System

Winning symbols are replaced with new ones, helping one win to become more wins! This cascading system allows for multiple consecutive wins from a single spin, with each cascade contributing to charging the portal meter.

Portal Meter System

Keep an eye on the Portal Meter to the left of the grid as every win cascade contributes to charging the meter. This innovative feature is central to the game’s bonus mechanics and determines when special features are triggered.

Eye Marks Feature

There are also Eye Marks to look out for. These are purple squares that appear on the grid, normally there’s one. When you land winning combinations on these Eye Mark positions, you receive two Special Wilds on your next losing cascade, helping to extend your winning streaks.

Portal Effects

The game includes several portal effects that activate during gameplay:

• Abyss: Removes an entire row or column of symbols
• Void: Removes all randomly selected paying symbols of the same type

Bonus Features

Other World Free Round

The Other World Bonus is a free spin, triggered when you land 42 winning symbols on a single spin. This is the game’s main bonus feature, offering significant winning potential through its unique mechanics.

During this bonus round:

• For every three symbols collected above the 42 that trigger Other World, you’ll get an extra portal effect added on, up to a maximum of seven portal effects
• After each set of cascades in the round, a portal effect will occur on the reels

Mega Wild Feature

During the Other World free round, you’ll notice 11 or 12 eye marks will be visible on the grid. If you form any winning clusters over an eye, that eye will open. If you open all the eyes, the Mega Wild Cthulhu symbol will be released! This massive wild symbol moves down the grid with each cascade, helping create additional winning combinations.

Return to Player and Statistics

Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness has an RTP of 96.59%, which is above the industry average and favorable for players. However, it’s important to note that depending on the platform where you’re gambling, the return to player for https://thetomeofmadness.com/ will be different, with some casinos offering lower RTP variants.

According to community tracking data, Tome Of Madness slot has a bonus frequency of 1/276.1 (0.36%) and an RTP (inside bonus rounds) of 52.36x.

Volatility and Win Potential

The game features high volatility, meaning wins may be less frequent but potentially more substantial when they occur. The max win is 2,000x, not the highest you might find in online slots, which some players might find modest compared to other high-volatility slots in the current market.

The hit rate listed by Play’n GO is 3.24, indicating that approximately one in every 31 spins will result in a winning combination.

Mobile Compatibility

You can also play on mobiles, but being a 5×5 grid, it can feel a little cramped on smaller devices. The game is built using HTML5 technology, making it compatible with both Android and iOS devices, though the experience may be better suited to larger screens.

Comparison to Other Games

In this sense it’s not unlike Viking Runecraft, from the same developer. The game shares similarities with other popular Play’n GO cluster-pays slots like Moon Princess and Rise of Olympus, utilizing proven mechanics while offering a unique thematic experience.

Tome of Madness has elements of both Reactoonz and Moon Princess, and it just so happens that those are two of our favourite Play ‘n GO slots.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional visual design and atmospheric audio
• Innovative cluster-pays system with cascading reels
• Multiple bonus features and special symbols
• Above-average RTP of 96.59%
• Unique Lovecraftian theme
• Multiple ways to trigger bonuses

Cons:

• High volatility may not suit all players
• Maximum win of 2,000x is modest for high-volatility slots
• Complex feature system may be overwhelming for beginners
• Mobile experience could be cramped on smaller screens

Final Verdict

This is a really well-crafted and entertaining slot. We love the cascading grid and cluster system, as it’s much easier to spot your wins straight away. Tome of Madness successfully combines Play’n GO’s proven cluster-pays mechanics with an engaging horror theme that pays homage to H.P. Lovecraft’s legendary works.

Everything we enjoy while gambling embodies this online slot: a cool theme, lots of surprises, progressive bonus features, and the possibility to win substantial sums of money. A gem of a slot that many other providers can only envy.

While the maximum win potential of 2,000x may seem modest by today’s standards, the game compensates with frequent feature triggers, engaging gameplay mechanics, and exceptional production values. The high volatility means patience is required, but the multiple bonus features and cascading system provide plenty of entertainment value.

Rating: 8.5/10

Tome of Madness is recommended for players who enjoy feature-rich slots with unique themes, don’t mind high volatility, and appreciate innovative game mechanics over massive win potential. It’s a solid addition to the Rich Wilde series and a testament to Play’n GO’s expertise in creating engaging cluster-pays slots.