Lucky Gems

Created by the relatively unknown yet prolific studio of super free slot games, Concept Gaming, Lucky Gems uses the tried and trusted gems theme to encourage players from around the world to their new product. In terms of playing experience, this game offers a range of bonus content to keep things interesting, plus a top-quality level of graphics giving the slot a high-end look. Regarding mechanics, this game has an RTP of 95.2%, which sits under the industry average, and a relatively low top win per spin of 500x the stake. Lucky Gems is played on a five-reel, five-row matrix and offers players 3,125 pay lines. This new product by the Concept Gaming studio is available on mobile, tablet and desktop platforms.

Lucky Gems Overview

The features in this game are three-fold. The first is a standard in the online slot world – the wild bonus. Wilds in this game substitute for other regular icons to help players score more wins. However, unlike other games, wilds only appear in the free spins game. The next feature is the free spins game, triggered when players simultaneously land three or more scatter icons on the board. The more scatters that you land, the more free spins are awarded to you, up to 25 free spins. Finally, there is also a special bonus game included here which can reward large prizes up to 25x the stake. All bonus features will be explained in more detail later in the review.

Lucky Gems Theme and Symbols

The theme for this game is a classic one which has been reinvented countless times by every studio to have ever created an online slot. It is, of course, the theme of gems and mining. This product, however, has taken a rather more literal approach to the theme, with the gems on the reels representing realistic minerals one might actually discover while mining deep into the earth. This realism is further facilitated by the game's wonderful graphics, which outcompete many of the other freeslots constructed with this theme. Indeed, although this theme and its associated symbols may not be novel in any way, the studio's care in bringing it to life is.

The background for this game is a depiction of the inside of a mine shaft. The scene is one of a tunnel under the earth illuminated by old-fashioned gas lanterns. To the right and left of the playing matrix are purple crystals jutting from the excavated earth. All around this scene are the planks and buttresses that comprise the mine shaft facilitating this exciting entry into the earth's crust. Again, like the symbols on the board, the background is of high quality, which lends a sense of value to this product. The playing board here is an oddly unmatching blue set of translucent reels.

The symbols are split into low-paying, high-paying and special symbols. The low-paying symbols are the turquoise gem, the various orange gems and the white/brown gems. The more valuable icons are the purple gems, the red gems, the green gem and the dark blue gem. The specials in this game comprise the white wild gem, the free spins shovel, the bonus icon lantern, and the pickaxe, used to discover your bonus prizes.

Game Play

Lucky Gems is played on a 5-reel, 5-row machine with 3,125 fixed pay lines. To win combinations, players must land three or more matching symbols on pay lines moving from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel. The betting range for Lucky Gems is £1 to £50 per spin. To adjust their bet levels, players can toggle their stakes up and down using the tool located at the bottom left-hand side of the screen.

Further information, including a short tutorial and a display of the paytable, can be found via the menu button in the right-hand corner of the screen. The spin and auto spin buttons are located in the centre of the screen. Volatility for this slot is rated in the low range. The return to player percentage for Lucky Gems is 95.2%, which is below average. The biggest payout that players can win on one spin is 500x the stake.

Lucky Gems Features

Lucky Gems boasts an array of exciting bonus features that elevate the gaming experience to new heights. One such feature is the Free Spins mode, which is triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 Scatter symbols on the reels, awarding players with 10, 20, or 25 free games, respectively. During these free spins, the appearance of a Wild symbol anywhere on the reels is cause for celebration, as it replaces regular symbols and increases the potential for winning combinations.

For an added dose of excitement, the Bonus Game offers players a chance to secure guaranteed fixed prizes ranging from 1x to 25x their bet. Activating this bonus round is as simple as landing three bonus icons on the reels. Once triggered, the Bonus Game transports players to a unique screen where they are greeted with a collection of pickaxes. Initially, players must click on an axe to reveal the number of picks they'll have in the round, ranging from 1 to 8. With the number of picks determined, players then click on the available axes one by one, unveiling hidden prizes with each selection. The prizes can range from 1x to 25x the player's bet, adding an element of suspense and anticipation to every click. There is no bonus buy facility in this game.

Conclusion

In summary, while Lucky Gems may feature familiar gameplay mechanics, its stunning visuals and engaging features set it apart in the crowded world of online slots. With its enticing Free Spins mode and the classic Pick Bonus game, the game offers a balanced blend of tradition and excitement. While it's true that the market has seen its fair share of similar slots, Lucky Gems manages to carve out its own place by delivering an immersive experience that captures the essence of mining exploration. You can also try Gems Bonanza from our demo slot machine collection