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Japanese Mask Review
Japanese Mask is a recent release, crafted by a skilled game developer headquartered in Bulgaria. This beautifully designed slot features the studio's patented HexaPays mechanic, providing volatile gameplay, a progressive jackpot, and numerous surprises. If you appreciate traditional Japanese artistry, join me on an exciting adventure!
The company emerged in 2010 and boasts a library of over 200 HTML5 online slots and table games. The focus is primarily on spinners, with a growing interest in advanced mechanics over classic 3-reelers. Japanese Mask reflects the company's interest in Asian and Japanese cultures, similar to titles like NineTails and Hey Sushi.
"With Japanese Mask, we have combined traditional cultural elements with cutting-edge mechanics to create a slot that offers something truly unique for players. We are committed to innovation and excellence, and Japanese Mask exemplifies our efforts to push boundaries and deliver extraordinary gaming experiences." Toni Karapetrov Head of Corporate Communications
HexaPays is a patented engine, granting payouts for symbols appearing in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal paths. These paths must consist of at least 3 matching symbols and can originate from any position on the grid. To form a successful HexaPay, symbols must be in succession and maintain a single direction.
Japanese Mask begins with a standard 5x3 matrix but includes a Reelset Changing mechanic that can expand the grid up to 9x3. I will elaborate on this feature later. Technical features include Autoplay with advanced settings, Quickspin, Super Bet, and Buy Feature. The slot is fully compatible with desktop and mobile devices, browsers, and operating systems.
Japanese Mask draws heavily from Japanese culture, and as the name suggests, masks feature prominently in the paytable. Symbols award payouts for 3 to 9 matches on a HexaPay path, with the Tengu mask offering the highest rewards, ranging from 3x to 600x the bet. The Kitsune Mask acts as a wild symbol, substituting for all other symbols except scatters and also paying up to 600x.
Samurai Masks provide payouts from 1x to 300x, Hyottoko Masks award from 0.50x to 120x, and Geisha Masks pay between 0.50x and 72x the bet. Lower-value symbols include traditional motifs such as the Circle of Life, Flower, and Wind. These symbols offer smaller rewards, ranging from 0.20x to 20x the stake. It's worth noting that most payouts will rarely be for combinations exceeding 5-of-a-kind.
The Japanese Mask RTP is quite favorable at 96.41%, but be aware that the game exhibits relatively high volatility. While official hit frequency information is unavailable, I estimate it to be around 20% - 25%. The maximum win is capped at 4,825x the bet, with stakes ranging from €0.10 to €2,000 per spin. Note that certain online venues may impose lower maximum bet limits!
Japanese Mask Features
Japanese Mask presents a dynamic base game with cascades and grid expansions, but the most significant wins come during the Free Spins bonus. Although this minigame cannot be retriggered, the provider has been generous enough. Unfortunately, there are no special features beyond a single upgrade, which leaves the potential of the slot somehow unfulfilled. Details are as follows:
Cascade Feature
The initial grid comprises 5 reels and 3 rows, with an additional four reels—1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th—blocked by special symbols. When a winning combination occurs, the participating symbols disappear, and new symbols drop from above. Cascades continue until no further wins occur on the board.
Furthermore, each cascade removes 2 blocking symbols from the side reels. Unlocking all positions awards 8 free spins. Note that scatters remain unaffected during the Cascade Feature, and their number is evaluated at the end of the sequence.
Free Spins Bonus
Scatter symbols pay from any position on the board, awarding 1x to 600x the bet for 3 to 9 in view. They also grant 5, 8, 12, 15, 20, 28, or 38 free spins, which cannot be retriggered, as previously mentioned. However, unlocking the blocked positions grants 8 extra free spins.
This task is not overly difficult, as the removed blockers do not reset at the end of the free spin. Consequently, unlocking the entire grid becomes easier, providing more opportunities for payouts along the way. However, no other features or modifiers exist, except the progressive jackpot, should the time be right!
Jackpot Race
Jackpot Race is a progressive jackpot competition that offers attractive rewards to fortunate players. The current pot value is displayed above the reels, along with the timing of the next Race Phase. Prior to that is the Accumulation Phase, during which each real money bet contributes to the pot.
The Race Phase commences at a designated time, also clearly indicated, and typically lasts for 90 minutes. Throughout this period, the pot continues to grow and can be triggered at any moment. In such cases, players who have placed real money bets closest to the activation time will participate in the Final Phase, as per Jackpot Race T&Cs, with one player ultimately winning the pot.
Bonus Buy and Super Bet
Super Bet is a bet booster that doubles the selected wager by 100%, concurrently increasing the chance of triggering Free Spins. Moreover, a wild symbol is guaranteed to land on reel 5 during each free spin, excluding any subsequent cascades. This can significantly increase your total bonus win!
The Buy Feature enables immediate access to a bonus round for 29.90x the bet. In return, the following spin will grant 3, 4, or 5 scatters! Both Super Bet and Buy Feature might be unavailable above a certain stake level or in some countries and online venues.
Theme & Graphics
Japanese Mask may not fully unveil the mysteries behind the ancient "Masuku", but it does captivate with its artwork, audio, and visual effects. The Japanese theme inspired by the Samurai era delves even further back into ancient times, when gods were believed to have been born in the lands that now comprise Japan.
The base game depicts a traditional Japanese village at night, clean and well-lit. The playing grid is intricately designed with Hexa positions framed by bamboo and blocking stones adorned with chains and red-painted hieroglyphs. The bonus game replaces the tranquil atmosphere with a couple of powerful Japanese gods or perhaps demons - Oni and Raijin.
The fine artwork and attention to detail are standout features. The same holds true for the audio package, which includes traditional Asian music that enhances the relaxing gameplay. The smooth animations and rich colors contribute to a step ahead in slot-developing mastery.
Pros And Cons Of Japanese Mask Slot
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fantastic visual and audio performance | High levels of volatility can be dangerous |
| HexaPay mechanic with an expanding grid | No special features in the base game and free spins |
| Excellent RTP rate of 96.41% | |
| Cascading Feature that expands the grid | |
| Free Spins with a non-resettable expanding grid | |
| Jackpot Race progressive jackpot | |
| Super Bet & Buy Feature | |
| Win up to 4,825x the total bet |
Our Verdict
Japanese Mask is a new territory explored by the provider because it mixes an older mechanic with an expanding grid. It seems that the crew was not fully convinced of how successful such a hybrid would be. There are some weaknesses in the concept, such as the lack of extra modifiers and features in both game stages.
Perhaps it's a test of the mechanic in a magnificently designed pack, and we will soon witness an upgrade. Or, perhaps not, the tie will tell! On its own, Japanese Mask is a decent game with high levels of volatility and a very good payout rate. There is an expanding grid, cascades, free spins, ante bet, and a bonus purchasing option.
If you wish to explore more of the studio's recent releases, you can start with Hyper Hues and its 50 paylines, Free Spins, and Cluster Wilds Feature. Shamrock Quest is also worth it and offers an amazing bonus with a max win of 10,000x. Super Fruit Blast is the latest slot announced, offering juicy fruits, multipliers, and more! My verdict of Japanese Mask is rather positive, but I urge you to try the free demo and leave your comments!
