The Ways of the Qilin is an intriguing online slots game developed by Microgaming, one of the most renowned software providers in the iGaming industry. This East Asian-themed video slot transports players to a mystical world where mythical creatures and ancient rituals take center stage.
Theme, Setting, and Visual Design The game’s theme revolves around Chinese mythology, focusing specifically on the benevolent Qilin creature. According to legend, the Qilin is said to appear during Ways of the Qilin game times of peace and prosperity, signaling a period of serenity and harmony. In Ways of 365 Days, players are immersed in an enchanting atmosphere filled with cherry blossom trees, intricately designed temples, and vibrant oriental-inspired artwork.
Symbols, Animations, and Sound Design
The game boasts an array of distinctive symbols that reflect its Asian-fantasy theme:
- Low-value Symbols : Playing card icons (9-A) adorned with golden filigree patterns.
- High-value Symbols : Chinese characters representing various aspects of the Qilin’s personality.
- Special Symbols :
- Qilin Symbol : A majestic creature symbolizing peace and prosperity, also acting as a Wild.
- Scatter Symbol : Ancient temple gates trigger bonus features when three or more appear in view.
Gameplay is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack featuring traditional Chinese instruments and enchanting chimes. Animations are vibrant and engaging, with the Qilin creature majestically transforming on the reels during free spins.
Reels, Paylines, or Grid Mechanics
The Ways of 365 Days slot game features five standard reels and two additional reels that can be enabled in both regular games (Ways) and bonus rounds. This increases players’ chances of landing more winning combinations due to the significantly greater number of active paylines generated by these extra reels.
Core Gameplay Mechanics and Flow
Gameplay is straightforward: players select a stake per spin, ranging from $0.10 up to $100 across 20 ways (the base game). During normal gameplay, three or more Scatter symbols trigger free spins. The Qilin wild can substitute any symbol in paylines to increase the chances of scoring wins.
Wild Symbols, Scatter Symbols, and Special Icons
The Qilin acts as both Wild and a scatter symbol, adding versatility to its already formidable presence on the reels:
- Ways : Activated by pressing the "Ways" button during regular gameplay or bonus rounds.
- Bonus Reels : Additional symbols are added for each reel in view (e.g., 7.5, 10, etc.).
Bonus Features and Bonus Rounds Several types of bonus features enhance gameplay:
- Free Spins with Multipliers : The Qilin icon triggers a cascade effect during free spins.
- Multiplier Round : Increases winning combinations up to x50 in certain cases.
During each spin, the "Ways" feature is active by default and can be deactivated through the game’s control menu at any time. Once enabled, players are immediately immersed in an all-ways-pays format with up to 10 reels available for potential spins and win calculations.
Free Spins Mechanics and Variations
The slot allows two distinct types of free spin sets:
- Random Multiplier : Free spins come paired with a random multiplier (between x2 – x5) applied across all wins.
- Mystery Meter Bonus : A percentage bonus for the number of extra reels, potentially reaching 100%.