9 Masks of Fire Slot Review

23/03/2021 | Categories: Microgaming Slots | Published by: Joe | Last updated: 05/01/2024

If you haven’t heard of Gameburger Studios, we will not hold it against you. They have only been around for two years and are operating under the Microgaming banner, supplying this iGaming juggernaut with quality slots. They are responsible for only seven reel-spinners, but three of these are in the top one hundred, and one frequently moves in and out of this elite society. 9 Masks of Fire came out in October of 2019, instantly setting the interactive gaming sphere ablaze, maintaining in the top one hundred for two years, and recently entering the top twenty rankings. Let us see if this status is well-earned or something else is at play here.

Theme & Design

Despite what the name will have you believe, the theme here is classic Vegas fruit machines. You know the type, the ones with sevens, bells, cherries, and bar symbols. The only thing missing here is lemons. Aside from that, this Gameburger product perfectly emulates old-school slot gameplay while splicing the reel-spinning action with African motifs and modern visuals. At first sight, we thought that the mask used here had a Māori vibe to it. Yet, upon further investigation, we verified that it was likely Africa-inspired. Face-coverings played an essential role in many traditional African tribal ceremonies, and in most cultures, the craftsmanship required to produce them got passed from father to son.

9 Masks of Fire blends 2D and 3D elements to decent effect. Though, there is nothing particularly visually captivating about this slot. Presentation-wise, the most impressive thing here is an animation of two characters dancing while wins get counted. 9 Masks of Fire features crisp graphics, with images that frequently get boasted by fire and coins flying across the screen. Ember dances behind the reel grid, and when wins occur, patterns light up. The soundtrack here takes a back seat to the sound effects, which dominate the audio landscape, quickly growing repetitive and annoying. The reels spin inside a golden frame in the middle of the screen. Next to it is the game logo with seven win amounts below it.

You will find the spin and auto-spin buttons on the right side of your display. The credit/bet/win info, the turbo, and mute options are on the bottom of your screen in a dedicated semi-transparent panel. You can access the info page by clicking the three-bar icon on its left.

Specs & Gameplay

9 Masks of Fire is a five-reel, three-row slot with twenty paylines. It is a medium variance game with an average RTP of 96.24% and a max exposure of x2,000 your bet. The win potential may rise to x6,000 in the Free Spins Round via a multiplier awarded from the Bonus Wheel feature. You win prizes in this slot when you land three to five identical symbols on a line, left to right. The bet sizes here range from $0.2 to $60.

The game’s low-paying symbols are cherries, the word – bar, a bell, and a dollar sign. Hitting five identical tokens from this batch on a single spin will earn you a prize that ranges from x1 to x3.25. The slot’s high-paying symbols are a seven, a double seven, and a triple one. If five matching tokens from this group appear in view, that action will result in a payout between x7.5 to x37.5 your stake.

A diamond is the Wild, and for five-of-a-kind, it will get you a win worth x125 your wager. A shield with two spears across it is the Scatter, and the tribal mask is the Bonus symbol.

Bonus Features

The slot’s name derives from the nine masks needed to win its max prize. As mentioned, there is a meter next to the reel grid. It tells you the mask symbols required for you to win seven specific amounts. These can land anywhere on the grid, stacked or individually. Once three or more appear, you win a cash prize. Hitting nine will get you the max reward of x2,000.

If you land three shield Scatters on reels two, three, and four, you will activate the Free Spins Round. It begins with a ten-segmented Bonus Wheel, which decides the number of complimentary reel rotations that you get inside this mode and the associated multiplier. These can range from ten free spins with an x2 multiplier to thirty with an x3 one. You cannot reactivate this mode.

GOSU Verdict

9 Masks of Fire was Gameburger Studios’ second reel-spinner ever. Interestingly enough, it is the second most successful product of the seven they have churned out so far. As far as sophomore efforts go, this one is very respectable. Nevertheless, when compared to top-end titles, it lacks bonus features, and its gameplay isn’t very captivating. The pyro visuals and the bongo soundtrack add a sense of atmosphere, but this slot still lacks some bite. It may attract those into vintage-style spinners, but we doubt that it will appeal to younger demographics. 9 Masks of Fire is decent, but nothing that will get anyone super-excited.