Jade Treasure Slot
Feeling jaded? Try out some beautiful spins with this fresh slot machine by GameArt software.
Jade Treasure is an Asian-themed game that is all about the mesmerising precious stone that is heralded as having much more significance in Chinese culture than simple monetary value.
This 5-reel, 25-payline slot machine does promise plenty of prize-winning action, offering total bet wins worth up to 50x on every spin, although the low betting range does limit the wins to relatively small value. Nevertheless, this video slot has a bit of bonus gameplay in store for lucky punters, including free spins with extra wilds.
The Power of Jade
To the majority of the Western world, jade is nothing more than a pretty gemstone. The milky green rock has much more worth in Chinese culture, however, having been considered as one of the most valuable and rarest stones in the world, almost comparable to diamonds in the Occident.
It is no surprise that the material was used to denote the wealth and power of Chinese Emperors for centuries, be it through ornamental objects, decorative jewellery or even burial suits.
Not only is this gemstone a symbol of status in China, but it also has a deeper spiritual meaning for eastern religion. Jade in bi form – that is shaped in a circle with a hole in the middle – is considered to be the representation of heaven and eternity.
And this belief isn't just confined to the annals of Ancient philosophy, because the symbolism remains strong in modern China. Did you know every medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was decorated with a disc of jade on the back? We wonder if they adorned the medals from London 2012 with something equally valuable, precious and significant to British Culture? A (probably gloomy) weather forecast? Polite instructions on how to make the perfect cup of tea? Scratch and sniff fish and chips?
Easy on the Eye
One of the most captivating aspects of this slot machine by GameArt is the quality of the graphics. Let's face it, a slot which celebrates the beauty of a precious stone such as Jade wouldn't be worth a look if it was dull on the eye. Jade Treasure ensures that every spin is imbued with a touch of magic, using bright, flashing animations to capture the thrill of every win.
One way in which the game could improve is by using an authentic oriental soundtrack to transport players far into the world of Ancient China.
Low Bets Make for Low Jackpots
Somewhat disappointingly, Jade Treasure doesn't offer the most expansive of betting ranges in the business with a maximum line bet that goes no higher than 0.50 credits. Casual players who don't want to spend big will certainly be happy though since the smallest line bet is a teeny-weeny 0.01 credits. That said, the game does have 25 fixed paylines, meaning that all line bets will be multiplied 25x to calculate the “total bet”.
Spinners of the game shouldn't hold out for any staggering wins with this game, because the line bet multiplier is set at 1,000x. So, even if you play with a maximum total bet of 12.50, the most you can hope to return on any one spin is 500.00; far from being the most mind-blowing prize in the world of slot machines. That prize is awarded for finding five Phoenix icons on a payline, with other key icons such as the Purple Lion, Blue Lion and Tiger paying out top prizes of 500x, 300x and 300x respectively.
Find the Treasure with This Bonus
There is one way to rack up the wins in Jade Treasure, and that is with a special scatter symbol – depicted by the iconic Bat insignia. Whenever three, four, or five of these scatters appear in any reel position, they will award a total bet multiplier of 2x, 10x and 50x respectively. That 50x bet multiplier will actually pay out the game's biggest prize of 625.00 as long as the top bet of 12.50 is wagered.
Not only does this symbol have some jackpot-paying potential, but it also promises a bit of bonus action by triggering a round of free spins. Whenever three or more Bat icons appear, a second sreen will appear revealing a tub full of golden coins. These coins will be removed one by one to accumulate up to a maximum of 10 free spins.
Coins will also be removed to determine how many regular icons will be turned into jade wild symbols for the duration of the bonus feature. There is a chance to play with a maximum of 3 wilds, all of which will substitute for other icons except the scatter.
Worth a Punt?
High rollers might easily overlook this slot machine due to the low range of betting options and relatively small jackpot. Then again, the game does lean towards the lower side of the volatility scale, offering its wins on a more frequent basis than some high variance video slots like Jack and the Beanstalk by NetEnt.
Besides from that, the game could use a bit more oomph in the bonus department but spinners can't complain about the eye-catching beauty of the graphics.
