Tarasque (Print Studios) Slot Review

Tarasque: Slot Overview 

Released on February 22, 2024, Tarasque by Print Studios is a highly volatile cluster-pays slot game that explores medieval fantasy with a delightful mix of mythical folklore, modern slot mechanics, and artistic charm. Inspired by the mythical French creature of the same name—a monstrous hybrid of lion, turtle, bear, and serpent—the game invites players into a whimsical yet dangerous realm full of knights, relics, and magic. 

Operating on an 8×8 cluster grid, Tarasque strays far from traditional line-based gameplay. Instead, it emphasizes cascading wins, progressive modifiers, and an evolving game board packed with wild transformations and escalating win potential. With a 20,000x max win potential, a feature-rich experience, and eye-catching design, Tarasque is one of Print Studios’ boldest and most imaginative titles yet.

Design and Graphics 

The design of Tarasque is nothing short of a visual triumph. From the first glance, players are treated to a lush, medieval fantasy world brought to life through an oil painting-inspired aesthetic. The background is a storybook-like landscape filled with rolling hills, castles, and majestic towers. Soft lighting and sepia-toned textures add to the nostalgic, handcrafted vibe, making each spin feel like part of a larger epic tale.The characters on the grid—ranging from elegant nobles to quirky townsfolk—are rendered with great attention to detail and historical flair. Each symbol has the air of medieval stained glass or classical portraiture. The game cleverly mixes this classical tone with whimsical elements, like exaggerated facial expressions and humorous animations, providing an experience that’s as playful as it is beautiful.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Tarasque is built on a cluster pays model with an 8×8 grid, where wins are formed by landing 5 or more identical symbols horizontally or vertically adjacent. It boasts a medium-high volatility profile (rated 4/5), making it a balanced choice for players looking for both frequent small wins and rare big payouts.

Winning clusters trigger a cascade mechanic: winning symbols are removed, new symbols drop from above, and consecutive wins can occur within a single spin. This cascading continues until no new wins form. One of the unique aspects of the game is how it builds a progress bar with each win, unlocking a variety of increasingly powerful modifiers and features. 

Key symbols include 4 low-paying icons (a clover, snail shell, lemon, and horseshoe) and 4 character symbols that offer higher payouts. A cluster of 5 symbols can pay between 0.2x to 2x the bet, while maximum-sized clusters of 64 symbols can reach payouts of 100x to 1,000x the bet.

Sound and Music 

The sound design of Tarasque complements its visual charm perfectly. A hauntingly beautiful medieval-inspired score, complete with lutes and flutes, fills the background. It’s serene yet subtly dramatic, evoking scenes of chivalric quests and castle intrigue. The ambient sounds of birds and distant bells further immerse players into the game’s pastoral setting. 

Special effects are equally enchanting. Cascading wins come with satisfying chimes, and feature triggers are marked by triumphant bursts of orchestral swells. The “Tarasque roar” during its devouring animation adds a comical yet thrilling flair, helping the slot’s personality shine through.

Bonus Features 

Tarasque is brimming with inventive features that reward progression, strategy, and lucky timing.Morphing Clusters 

The Mage’s Tower, situated at the top right of the screen, holds a Morphing Symbol. When a win includes the same symbol, the Morphing Symbol shifts into a new adjacent symbol, and the cluster grows. This transformation continues until no further matches occur. It’s a clever mechanic that can significantly increase cluster sizes and overall win potential. 

Celestial Blessings 

These appear randomly during cluster wins. A floating character (resembling Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam) bestows multipliers of x2 to x20 onto cluster wins. The animations and rewards here feel godlike, making every blessing a moment of excitement and potential. 

Progressive Modifiers 

As you win, the progress bar fills up. Upon reaching certain thresholds, random modifiers trigger: 

Wild Spikes – randomly adds wilds. 

Blazing Gaze – removes all low-paying symbols from the board. 

Mage’s Morph – places Morphing Symbols across the grid. 

Bulking Beast – the Tarasque itself grows in size and dominates the board. 

Each modifier increases in power based on how high the progress bar is filled, creating a strategic incentive to chase longer win streaks. 

The Tarasque – Devour & Unleash 

When the first progression modifier triggers, the titular Tarasque appears as a wild on the board. It devours winning symbols, starting with the lowest value ones, and stores them. Once the progress bar is depleted and no further modifiers are available, the Tarasque “unleashes” stored symbols in full-screen clusters, offering massive win potential. This cycle of devouring and unleashing creates an exciting tension—especially when premium symbols are involved. 

Feature Bet 

For players eager to shortcut to the action, Feature Bets allow the purchase of Morphing Symbol setups: 

6 symbols – 3.5x the bet 

12 symbols – 12x 

23 symbols – 46x 

34 symbols – 105x 

45 symbols – 221.7x 

Each option comes with a slightly varying RTP, from 96.46% to 96.89%, giving high rollers options to strategize for big wins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Tarasque caters to a broad range of players with a minimum bet of €0.10 and a maximum of €50 per spin. This flexibility makes it accessible to casual players while also being suitable for risk-takers chasing the jackpot. 

The base RTP is 96.30%, slightly above the industry average. Depending on the Feature Bet used, it can rise to 96.89%, rewarding players for calculated risks. The game’s max win potential of 20,000x is shared with only a few elite slots, putting it firmly in the high-reward category. With medium-high volatility, players can expect dry spells but also some explosive streaks.

Conclusion 

Tarasque is a bold and imaginative slot that successfully blends classical art with dynamic, modern slot mechanics. With its charming medieval theme, stunning visuals, and thoughtfully designed feature set, Print Studios once again proves its reputation as a developer that values both creativity and gameplay depth. 

From cascading wins to progressive modifiers, Morphing Clusters to the powerful Tarasque feature, there is always something exciting happening on the reels. The game manages to feel both artistically ambitious and mechanically satisfying—no easy feat in the world of online slots. 

With a top-tier 20,000x max win, cluster pays, and a slew of innovative extras, Tarasque stands as a shining example of what the genre can offer when a studio dares to push boundaries. Whether you’re in it for the aesthetics or the thrill of epic wins, Tarasque is a journey worth taking.