Alchemist's Garden Slot Machine
If you grew up playing Konami Gaming computer titles then you might associate the developer more with the likes of Pro Evolution Soccer and Metal Gear Solid rather than land-based slot machines.
However, if you were a fan of those games then you will understand the full potential of Konami's talents and it will no doubt excite you every time they launch a new slot machine onto the market.
Alchemist's Garden is a 4-5-4-5-4 reel layout slot machine that looks and feels like the Konami slot machines that have delivered the goods previously such as China Shores and Treasure Voyage. The unique reel design gives it a structure that sets it apart from the slot machines released by rival developers. Everything about this slot visually has the hallmarks of a Konami slot machine which will delight you if you are coming here expecting to find a true Konami title.
Personally, I am as close to a Konami fan boy as you can get but try to hold an objective viewpoint when writing reviews of their slot machines so you guys get an honest perspective. The minimum bet of 40 credits and medium volatility mean you get a good idea of what to expect from this slot machine before playing.
It also comes with the Mirror Reels feature but more on that later. Before you even start spinning the reels you begin to feel that you are on to another solid release from the masterminds at Konami Gaming.
Theme
It is not often that you will find a slot machine theme based on the philosophical tradition that was practiced across the world in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and remains practiced in many areas to this day. The idea behind alchemy is to purify and make certain things perfection so you can see the appeal in it being used by slot developers.
The theme is a little left-field with the mirror image used on the title banner possessing a comedy face that would not look out of place in a Disney cartoon. I appreciate this is to emphasize the Mirror Reels but the guy is irritating. Konami Gaming does have a penchant for these type of mystical slot machines though with Cassiopeia and Chinese Mystery being two examples already on the market. The first of those being very similar to this slot with the inclusion of the Mirror Reels feature and the same 4-5-4-5-4 reel layout.
Cassiopeia is a slot machine I do have a soft spot for and the fact this slot machine plays very much like it is good news for me and those that also have an adoration for other slots of this ilk. Does it feel lazy that it is essentially a carbon copy of another release? Well, that could be argued but imitation is the finest form of flattery and the tweaks ensure it uses a proven formula and runs with it.
Features
This slot is not really jam-packed with features but it does have enough going for it to keep you interested. This is Konami slot machines in a nut shell though. Keep it stream-lined but make sure it is compelling.
Multiplied Wins – Everybody loves a multiplier but often they are restricted to bonus features and it can feel like they are not included enough. That is something you don't have to worry about here. It is possible to win a multiplier with every win and in a brilliant move Konami have allowed those multipliers to reach up to 100x so some real big wins can be earned outside of the bonus features.
Free Spins – The main attraction for slot machines these days is the free spins bonus round and the fact that this slot machine brings them to the table big time will get players excited. There is the potential to trigger up to 20 free games on this slot. Some slots will such as Magic Bat Fortune will offer more but others like Masked Invitation will offer less than 50% of that so it isn't the most prolific in terms of free spins but 20 is more than enough to keep players happy. It does only take that one spin to hit the big symbols after all.
Mirror Reels – This is a commonly-used feature in Konami slot machines with Fortunes of the Orient and Winner's Night being just two other examples. This is where reels will mirror each other increasing the potential for hitting those winning combinations. Unfortunately, the Mirror Reels are restricted to when you trigger the three bonus feature symbols but the action is frantic and worth the wait when do finally come into play.
Summary
Alchemist's Garden might not be up there with the most popular slot machine themes but sometimes it can be nice to try something a little different. The game is not rich in bonus features but there is enough about this game to keep you playing. The fact Konami Gaming has used the same reel layout and features for other slot machines shows they have faith in the style. It won't revolutionize slots gaming but it is a solid enough release that adds more depth to an already strong portfolio of slot machines for the developer.