Treasure Horse (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Treasure Horse: Slot Overview

Treasure Horse by Pragmatic Play takes players on a nostalgic journey back to the fundamentals of slot gaming while incorporating a modern twist. Unlike the overstuffed, complex online slots dominating the market, this 3×3 slot with 18 paylines presents a refreshing simplicity that focuses on core gameplay mechanics and high-quality visual and mathematical design. Released on December 27, 2018, Treasure Horse offers a high volatility experience and an RTP of 96.52%. Its standout feature is its Free Spins bonus, supported by a multiplier reel for added excitement. 

Although its structure limits its initial appeal, the game compensates with its extended paylines, allowing for more prolonged playtime and a higher frequency of winning combinations. This slot is accessible on all devices, with betting options ranging from €0.18 to €90 per spin, making it suitable for casual and high-roller players alike. Treasure Horse is ideal for those seeking a balanced game combining simplicity, high payout potential, and stunning graphics.

Design and Graphics

Treasure Horse successfully captures the essence of traditional Chinese culture, featuring a stunningly designed backdrop of misty mountains, ancient temples, and lush greenery. The serene environment is complemented by intricate detailing in the symbols, which include golden coins, bamboo stalks, and traditional 1x, 2x, and 3x BAR icons. The golden horse, symbolizing prosperity and luck in Chinese culture, stands out as the Wild, embodying the slot’s high-paying potential. The overall color palette uses vibrant reds and golds, which are synonymous with wealth and success in Chinese symbolism. Pragmatic Play’s attention to detail ensures that Treasure Horse offers an immersive visual experience that aligns perfectly with its theme. The animations, while minimalistic, are smooth and engaging, ensuring that players feel drawn into its cultural richness.

Gameplay Mechanics

Treasure Horse’s gameplay is straightforward yet engaging. The 3×3 reel setup, while simple, comes alive with 18 paylines that pay both ways, effectively doubling players’ chances of landing winning combinations. To secure a win, players must match three identical symbols on one of the paylines, a format that is easy to grasp for both newcomers and seasoned players. 

The slot’s symbols include traditional fruit machine icons like BARs and modern high-value symbols such as the Wild and scatter. The golden horse Wild substitutes for all symbols except the scatter, enhancing the chance of forming winning combinations. The addition of the pay-both-ways mechanic makes the slot more dynamic than most classic 3×3 setups, keeping the gameplay consistently engaging.

Sound and Music

The audio in Treasure Horse complements its theme seamlessly. Traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng and erhu play soothing melodies in the background, creating a calm and immersive gaming atmosphere. These sounds are interrupted by exciting audio cues whenever a player lands a win, adding a layer of anticipation and excitement. 

Pragmatic Play has struck a balance between minimalism and engagement with its sound design. The music doesn’t overpower but rather enhances the slot’s tranquil yet thrilling nature, ensuring that players stay engrossed throughout their gaming sessions.

Bonus Features

The main highlight of Treasure Horse is its Free Spins feature, triggered by landing three scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. This bonus awards eight free spins, with an extra spin granted for every additional scatter landed during the feature. A fourth reel is introduced exclusively during the free spins round, which displays a multiplier ranging from 2x to 6x. The multiplier applies to all wins during the feature, significantly increasing the slot’s payout potential. 

Stacked symbols also come into play during the Free Spins round, enhancing the chances of forming significant wins. The re-trigger-friendly nature of this feature ensures that players can enjoy extended bonus rounds, often leading to lucrative payouts. 

While the slot doesn’t boast an abundance of features, the Free Spins round with its added multipliers is enough to keep players engaged and offers them a glimpse of the slot’s maximum win potential of 6,000x the bet.

Betting Options and Payouts

Treasure Horse provides a flexible betting range from €0.18 to €90 per spin, accommodating players with varying budgets. This range makes the game accessible to both casual players and high-rollers, ensuring widespread appeal. 

The maximum win of 6,000x the bet is impressive for a 3×3 slot. Achieving this requires hitting the perfect combination during the Free Spins feature, where the multiplier reel can significantly boost payouts. The base game, though simpler, also holds its own, thanks to the pay-both-ways mechanic and well-designed symbol payouts. 

The game’s RTP of 96.52% is competitive, ensuring players receive decent returns over extended sessions. While the high volatility might result in stretches of non-winning spins, the rewards are well worth the wait when the big wins roll in.

Conclusion

Treasure Horse is a slot that successfully combines the simplicity of classic slots with the aesthetic and bonus-driven appeal of modern games. Its 3×3 reel setup, enriched by the innovative addition of 18 paylines and a multiplier reel during Free Spins, ensures that the game remains engaging despite its straightforward structure. 

Visually, the game excels in transporting players to a serene and culturally rich environment, supported by a calming soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience. While the gameplay might lack the complexity of other modern slots, its accessible mechanics and high payout potential make it a solid choice for both beginners and seasoned players. 

The highlight of Treasure Horse is undoubtedly its Free Spins feature, which introduces a fourth multiplier reel to boost wins. This feature, coupled with the stacked symbols and re-trigger possibilities, ensures that the slot offers enough thrills to keep players coming back for more. 

Overall, Treasure Horse stands out as a prime example of Pragmatic Play’s ability to innovate within the confines of traditional slot formats. While it may not appeal to players seeking feature-heavy or highly dynamic gameplay, it provides a balanced and rewarding experience for those who appreciate the charm of simpler, more focused slots. With its high volatility and 6,000x max win, Treasure Horse proves that even a classic 3×3 slot can pack a powerful punch.