Shaolin Master

Shaolin Master is an online slot created by Hacksaw Gaming, set against the backdrop of a Chinese temple, which is a perfect setting for fans of such themes. Additionally, the game offers a broad selection of features designed to increase winning opportunities, making the gameplay more rewarding and enjoyable.

Gameplay features and bonuses

Shaolin Master is an online slot that unfolds on a grid consisting of 5 reels and 6 rows. The game boasts an RTP of 96.31% and merges medium volatility with a Cluster Pays mechanism. To achieve a win, players must align a minimum of 5 identical symbols, either horizontally or vertically.

Cascades – Upon forming a winning cluster, all symbols involved in the win are cleared from the grid once the current prizes have been allocated. Fresh symbols then cascade down to fill the empty spaces, potentially triggering further wins and subsequent cascades.

Chi Orbs – Chi Orbs are Wild Multiplier symbols that can appear on the grid. When involved in a winning combination, the multiplier attached to the Chi Orb enhances the cluster win's value. There are three varieties of Chi Orbs:

• Blue Chi Orb: This orb starts with a multiplier of 1x, which increases by 1 each time it contributes to a cluster win.
• Red Chi Orb: Also starting with a 1x multiplier, this orb's value increases by 1 for each symbol in the winning cluster, including any Chi Orbs.
• Balance Chi Orb: Exclusive to cascades, this orb arrives with a multiplier derived from the product of any existing Red and Blue Chi Orb multipliers on the grid. If it participates in a win, it applies its multiplier to the win and then vanishes with the other winning symbols.

If multiple Chi Orbs are part of the same win, their multipliers are combined before being applied to the win. Blue and Red Chi Orbs remain on the grid during cascades, persisting until the round's end, after which all Chi Orbs are cleared from the grid.

The Student – This feature is activated when players land either 3 or 4 FS Scatter symbols, rewarding them with 10 or 12 Free Spins, respectively. During this bonus round, all pay symbols from the base game may reappear, along with a special Green Chi Orb and a Green Gem multiplier modifier symbol.

Below each reel, multipliers are positioned that increase by 1x for each symbol in a winning cluster on those reels. The Green Gem multiplier modifier can further enhance these multipliers, with potential values of x2, x3, x4, x5, x6, x7, x8, x9, and x10.

When the Green Chi Orb symbol appears on a reel, it activates that reel's multiplier. All activated multipliers are applied globally, summing their values to multiply the winnings of each cluster. Every activation of a multiplier also grants 3 additional spins. Each reel can host only 1 Green Chi Orb, and the maximum value for any multiplier is 9,999x.

The Master – This bonus feature is triggered by landing 5 FS Scatter symbols simultaneously during the base game, starting with 3 refilling lives. In this round, base game symbols are replaced with special Stone Block symbols, and multipliers are displayed above each reel.

These multipliers can be increased by landing Multiplier Modifier Blocks, which come in two forms, adding or multiplying, and in Normal or Epic variants. The Normal blocks affect the multiplier on their specific reel, while Epic blocks influence all multipliers. The maximum multiplier value on any reel is capped at 9,999x.

Modifier Block Values:

• Blue Gem: Multiplies values from 2x to 10x.
• Epic Blue Gem: Applies multipliers from x2 to x10 across all reels.
• Green Gem: Multiplies values from 2x to 10x.
• Epic Green Gem: Applies multipliers from x2 to x10 across all reels.

During gameplay, Ice Blocks that drop onto the grid are crushed, causing a Multiplier Block to fall from above and occupy the vacated space. The value of each Multiplier Block matches the multiplier of the reel it drops from. These Blocks accumulate at the grid's base, building up through successive drops.

A special Crusher Block also features, which plummets through all Blocks to the bottom, destroying any Multiplier Blocks in its path and clearing space for new Blocks. Upon reaching the grid's base, it transforms into a Multiplier Block with a value equal to the sum of all Multiplier Blocks it destroyed.

Each landing of a Multiplier Block, Multiplier Modifier Block, or Crusher Block resets the remaining spins to 3. The feature concludes when there are 3 consecutive spins without these blocks landing, with the payout being the aggregate of all Multiplier Blocks' values multiplied by the bet level.

Bonus Buy – For players interested in directly accessing bonus features, the game provides several options:

• Bonus Hunt Feature Spins: For 3x the bet, each spin is 5x more likely to trigger a bonus game.
• Enlightened Feature Spins: For 50x the bet, each spin guarantees a Red Chi Orb will land with at least 1 winning combination
• The Student: For 100x the bet, direct feature access.
• The Master: For 200x the bet, direct feature access.

Design and Soundtrack

Shaolin Master is an online slot set against the backdrop of a Chinese temple. The scenery includes an array of greenery and stonework elements typical of such a temple. The central grid is adorned with thematic symbols, including 10-A figures intricately carved into stones alongside tentacle and Shaolin icons. Additionally, the game features a soundtrack that harmoniously complements the theme, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

For enthusiasts seeking similar gaming experiences, Panda Bonanza by Northernlights and Shaolin Panda Chaos Reels by Octoplay are excellent alternatives worth exploring.

The Bottom Line

Shaolin Master impresses with its innovative features, such as the Cluster Pays system and cascading reels, enhancing player engagement with each spin. The inclusion of Chi Orbs adds a strategic element, with multipliers that can significantly boost payouts. Moreover, the distinctive Student and Master bonus rounds offer unique challenges and rewards, making each session unpredictable and exciting.