Mystical Mermaid Slots
Mystical Mermaid feels like a slot machine where IGT have put two-word requests into a “slot machine name generator” and been given this name. If we had a dollar for every time a slot machine uses the word “Mystical” or “Mermaid” then we wouldn't need to keep playing the damn Mega Fortune progressive jackpot in the hope of becoming instant millionaires.
This 5 reel, 25 pay-line slot takes us underwater to a world of magic and wonder. Well, the magic and wonder isn't as obvious as you would expect it to be with the symbols consisting of things that you'd probably be disappointed to find in a net if you were crab catching such as different types of shells, a star fish, and other crustaceans.
The question has to be asked whether it is too much to expect a Daryl Hannah here and there or a Poseidon popping up every now and again? Just, you know, to add that extra ounce of mystique to proceedings. Well, it seems the odd mermaid is as mystical as it gets but, fear not, this slot machine does not live and die on the strength of its mystique.
Theme
The nautical theme used here is one that is common across the slots industry but has rarely been dipped into by IGT. The superb Water Dragons slot was probably their most recent journey into the underwater domain and, to be fair, it can be assumed that Mystical Mermaid was the slot that formed the inspiration for Water Dragons.
There may be an underwhelming amount of mermaids included across the reels but there is still plenty going on asides from that. The mermaids do possess more power than a Wild would usually have on a slot machine.
Not only do the mermaids act as a bonus trigger for the Splish Splash Bonus in conjunction with the treasure chest symbol but they also act as a Wild and have the ability to substitute for all other symbols to help create any winning combinations.
In addition to this, if one or more mermaid symbols appear and the treasure chest symbol is not also present to trigger the bonus feature then the mermaid symbols will still trigger a Scatter payout so that is a lovely little bonus earning to watch out for.
Features
Mystical Mermaid does not scream out a load of game-changing bonuses or headline-grabbing features but what it does offer is old-fashioned free spins that give you a great chance of hitting some very tasty wins.
Splish Splash Bonus – This free spins bonus round is triggered when players hit a treasure chest symbol on reel 1 and then a combination of mermaid symbols on the remaining reels. Players are initially awarded 10 free spins per mermaid symbol that appears on the reels when the bonus is triggered. Up to 40 free spins can be won in this manner and the free spins can be re-triggered. All wins during the free spins are also subjected to a 2x multiplier which might not seem a huge amount compared to multipliers offered in other slots but over time it can prove the difference between a modest win and a significantly large win.
Summary
IGT is very proud to state that Mystical Mermaid is not only one of the longest-running slot machines on the market developed by their creative geniuses but it is also one of the most popular titles and it is easy to see why.
The game is wonderfully simplistic but does enough to guarantee the wins where even the smaller wins feel like they mean something. The potential for a big win will keep you hooked and you will feel that anything is possible on every spin. There is something about this slot machine that will make it appeal to the purists: it's just you, the reels, and a free spins bonus round.
Sometimes that can kill a slot machine but in this instance it is an element of simplicity that makes this slot every bit endearing as it is. We can sit here and argue about the mundane base game reels but when you're triggering those big free spins bonus wins you're not going to give a crap about the minor details. This is vintage slot machine gaming.
