Magic Boxes

If you happen to be a fan of magic shows, this game is for you. If magic isn’t really your thing, you might still find yourself spellbound by Magic Boxes. The online slot from Microgaming is a 5-reel and 25-payline game with lots of special features. You’ll have all the things you want from a modern online slot machine, but you may discover that these payouts leave a lot to be desired.

Magic Boxes Online Slot Basics

The visual style of the Magic Boxes slots game is a great representation of Microgaming’s work. Since magic is the theme of this casino game, it is on display everywhere you look. The background of the online slot shows a brightly lit stage, while the five reels are front and center. Each paylines is marked on the sides of the slot so you know where winning combinations can occur. Symbols in the game include standard icons from a deck of playing cards, but there are unique icons exclusive to Magic Boxes as well. The detail of the reels and symbols is superb, as are the colors used in the game’s design.

Aside from the graphics, Magic Boxes has everything you need to place your bets. This is definitely a game that accommodates every type of player. You can change the value of each coin and the number of coins you want to bet. The paylines can also be adjusted before you spin the reels of the game. If you know you’re going to make the biggest bet possible, the “BET MAX” will let you do that instantly. There is an “AUTOPLAY” feature that lets the more experienced players have further control of the gameplay.

The Special Features

Magic Boxes proves to be a worthy addition to the Microgaming collection through its graphics and gameplay, but what about those special features? Fortunately, this game won’t let you down when it comes to perks that boost payouts. In fact, Magic Boxes has a bit of a unique twist thrown into some of its features.

Wild Symbol

There are three wild symbols in the game, but each one functions in the same basic way. Wilds come in the form of magic boxes, hence the name of the slot. They can replace any other normal icon in the game to complete a combination that pays out. Unfortunately, there is no associated multiplier with the wild symbols during the base game.

Scatter Symbol

An eight ball symbol is the scatter symbol for Magic Boxes. You’ll get a payout from this special symbol as long as it appears on the reels twice at a time. Scatters don’t follow the rules of the base game and instead pay out regardless of their positioning. The free spins round will activated when you get at least three of these symbols simultaneously.

Free Spins

You’ll get a number of free spins that is dependent on how scatters trigger the bonus. Three, four, or five scatter symbols will grant you 8, 16, or 24 free spins respectively. During this bonus game, the magic boxes are again wild and will apply a multiplier to your winnings. You can earn up to a 4x multiplier during the free spins round. This bonus can be activated again as you play.

Average Payouts

It would be nice to finish out this review on a high note, but that is unfortunately not the case. While Magic Boxes delivers in its visuals and features, the game’s payout percentage is terrible. This online slot posts a return to player, or RTP, that is just over 89%. The number is incredibly bad, even for a slot game. It could be due to the somewhat high variance seen when playing, but it is the main weakness of Magic Boxes.

You’ll have an opportunity to win as many as 40,000 coins from one spin while playing this game.

  • Theme and Gameplay
  • Visuals and Sound Effects
  • Bonuses and Features
  • Entertainment Factor
  • Payouts
3.1

Summary

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way by mentioning that Magic Boxes has an RTP that is utterly disappointing. Other than that, this is a great slot game! It has every control you could want to adjust betting options and very appealing graphics (as it should for a 2012 release). Special features make the game exciting and worth more than just one playthrough. Although, it’s understandable if the payout percentage turns off some players.