Empress Dowager Cixi Slots

It’s time to wind back the clock and bow down to the “dragon lady” as the Empress Dowager Cixi video slot transports you to the late Qing dynasty. As one of the most controversial figures in Chinese history, Cixi effectively ruled China for 47 years. While many people believed she helped modernize the country, critics often slated her for having tyrannical tendencies.

Developed by August Gaming, a software provider that specializes in developing Asian-inspired slot machines, Empress Dowager Cixi allows you to make your own mind up about the concubine who would become China’s last empress. You’ll be stepping through the walls of Beijing’s Forbidden City to get an insight into Cixi’s privileged life, discovering her love of dogs, silk clothing and boating.

Like the people she ruled over, which totaled one-third of the world's population, you’re either going to love or hate Cixi. If she takes a shine to you, presenting you with riches beyond your wildest dreams in the form of payouts, you’re going to find yourself visiting her magnificent Summer Palace many more times. However, if she’s in a miserly mood, you will loathe her as much as her harshest critics.

The Keys to Power

If you’re unaware of her story, Cixi rose to power through good fortune and unyielding determination. Chosen as a concubine for Emperor Xianfeng at a young age, she gave birth to his only son, Tongzhi. Once the emperor passed away, it was Cixi who became the supreme leader of China. And in this 5-reeled slot, it is she who will determine whether you get to experience epic wins.

You’ll have plenty of chances to increase your wealth as you play Empress Dowager Cixi, as wins can be secured in 243 different ways. And don’t think an encounter with the “old master Buddha” is only feasible for the elite in society. In fact, you can begin charming the powerful fashionista from a low limit of just 0.25 credits. For well-to-do players who already enjoy the finer things in life, just like Cixi did, you can play for a high limit of 2,500 credits per spin.

Marvel at Her Leadership and Charisma

To celebrate the lavish life of Cixi, eight of the 14 symbols that feature on the pay table of Empress Dowager Cixi are theme-related. As is usual when it comes to free online slots by August Gaming, playing card symbols represent the six least valuable symbols in the game. However, in this game they pay more than they normally do. Matching sets of 9, 10, J or Q symbols will see you secure a maximum of 100x your line bet. Double the rewards are on offer for lining up K or A symbols, which they pay up to 200x.

A story lies behind each of the premium symbols in Empress Dowager Cixi. Guns feature on the reels as a symbol of Cixi’s attempt to deploy magic against western guns. These, along with scrolls outlining her war tactics, are worth up to 300x whenever they line up across the reels. Payouts increase significantly for the next two symbols on the pay table – jade vases and perfectly groomed dogs, with sets of either awarding prizes worth up to 800x.

Winning combinations involving Cixi’s home, the Summer Palace, will see you being awarded up to 1,000x. The highest-paying symbol in Empress Dowager Cixi is the Marble Boat, represented by a naval ship. Every time it navigates its way onto the reels, you’ll collect up to 3,500x. Appearing on reels two, three and/or four only, Cixi represents the wild symbol. It’s one of two special symbols in Empress Dowager Cixi, with scatters being the only symbols she cannot substitute for.

Receive an Invitation to the Summer Palace

To receive a special invitation to the Summer Palace, widely considered the best preserved imperial garden in the world, you’ll need to collect three or more of Cixi’s round hand fans. These decorative fans, which have a lotus flower printed on them, represent the scatter symbol in the free Empress Dowager Cixi slot. Landing three or more scatter symbols on consecutive reels during the same spin will activate an exciting free games feature.

This is a common bonus feature in casino slot machines developed by August Gaming, but this time you get to choose one of two options, rather than being awarded a set number of games. Option one offers 10 free games with more playing card symbols added to the reel set. Plus, you’ll see all your wins multiplied by either 5x, 8x or 15x. If you go for option two, you’ll receive 5 free games with additional premium symbols added to the reel set, but multiplier values will only be 2x, 3x or 5x. No matter which feature you choose, it can be retriggered to prolong your fun in the Summer Palace.

The first option is decent, but we much prefer the second option. Sacrificing free games and multiplier values for winning combinations involving premium symbols often proves worthwhile, especially if you become one of the lucky players who lands a line of Marble Boat symbols.

Bow Down to Other Empresses

Empress Dowager Cixi isn’t the only female sovereign ruler who has been immortalized on the reels. Browse the slots section of any online casino, and you’ll find several games based on females who ruled an empire at some point in time.

Casino Technology’s classic Aztec Empress video slot sees you navigate the jungles of Mexico and follow the road to El Dorado in search of riches. As you embrace the great civilizations of Central and South America, you get to choose how volatile your adventure will be. Any wins involving the Aztec Empress are doubled as she represents the wild symbol. Plus, you could gain entry to a pyramid for a round of free games where all prizes are tripled.

We also recommend that you give The Empress Josephine slot machine by High 5 Games a try. As the title suggests, it’s a sophisticated online slot based on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife. Set inside the luxurious Chateau de Malmaison, The Empress Josephine is a 5-reeled slot with 40 adjustable paylines. Base game payouts aren’t the best, but there is a superb free games feature that introduces stacked symbols and multiplier bonuses.

Still Dividing Public Opinion

Cixi may have died in 1908 – a day after ordering her adopted son Guangxu to be poisoned, deeming him too weak to rule – yet she continues to divide opinion to this very day. And we’ve got a feeling the Empress Dowager Cixi slot machine will prove just as divisive. Let’s begin with the positives. The theme is very interesting, the payouts are extremely generous for an August Gaming release, and we love having the choice of two options upon triggering the free games feature.

On the other hand, the animations are simply too basic when you compare them to those of the most recent online slots. We can’t help but wonder how superb this slot could have been if it was designed using 3D graphics, with Cixi popping up to award random features. Whether you like it or not, the release of Empress Dowager Cixi was long overdue. It’s about time the story of one of the most divisive figures in Chinese history was brought to the reels. Ultimately, your opinion on her will boil down to just how generous she is towards you – so pay her a visit to find out!