Play Tattoo Shop for Free

Even though this game is all about body art, it has a surprisingly relaxed aesthetic; there’s a lot of colour going on, but it’s not as busy as other rival slot machines, such as Ink’d. That game is packed with so much going on that you don’t know where to look, where as here the layout and design makes sense: the title at the top, the grid in the middle and the controls underneath.

What is more, the symbols are normalised in such a way that even someone opposed to tattooing could play this game and enjoy it. Even more so when you listen to the sounds included.

Instead of trying to match the visuals, Roundstone tend to rely on dated sounds to get the job done, which makes us reach for the mute button every time. In a time when slots are competing for first place, having any old fashioned element that doesn’t belong can seriously affect how a game is received. Take Tattoo Shop, it’s meant to be badass, but the noises make it childish and funny.

Having played a good deal of the brand’s games, we’d grown tired of the features (or lack of) and even the quirky gamble options, but then this one popped up and made us smile. Two tight fists are shown on the screen; as you’d expect you select one.

However, instead of them opening up to show a prize, the win (or loss) is tattooed on the bare hands. We love it, even despite how mundane the actual mechanics of it are. If you enjoyed this, you’re sure to love the extra in Witches and Wizards or Viva Mexico, for they’re just as innovative.

When you flick through the designs on offer, you’ll see that the top payment here is only worth 2,500, which is 2,500 less than most of the other Roundstone International slot machines. This seems odd, for nothing is remotely different about this title when compared with the higher paying ones.

Nevertheless, the change is dramatic enough to make us a lot more cautious with our money – even though we can’t bet over 45 credits, it’s likely we’ll stick to the low starting point of 0.09.

Should you wish for an even smaller pay-in, you’ll need to reduce the winlines to do so; tap the numbers around the 3x5 grid, or use the arrow buttons below the Lines display. Be warned though, for while you can still get plenty of wins, you won’t get nearly as many as when you have the full amount in effect.

Furthermore, if you’re hoping for the bonus round with just 1 line, you’ll need a miracle as it’s hard enough to get without tweaking the setup.

The only good aspect of this slot is that you walk away without any pain, unless you want to count the pain of that medium volatility. On a purely entertainment level, you’ll get some enjoyment, but it’ll soon fade. And as for cash prizes, you’d be better off trying another game from the brand, like Vampire Slots.

Don’t get us wrong, this isn’t a write off, but Tattoo Shop just isn’t as good as what we’ve become used to playing, and boy does it show.