Released in 2019, the slot machine continued the series about the popular explorer from the Book of Dead slot. It’s a spectacular slot in the spirit of the Lovecraftian genre. Rich Wilde journeys to the realm of Cthulhu to uncover the mystery of ancient scriptures. In the Tome of Madness video slot, the provider has abandoned the “book” mechanics. Instead, it uses cluster payouts and cascading reels. The editors
Expert review
Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness differs from its iconic predecessor, Book of Dead. Not only has the theme changed (the protagonist finally escaped the Egyptian tombs), but also the mechanics involved. In this installment, the provider has abandoned fixed paylines and a standard gameboard.
The solution is quite successful. The gameplay is dynamic and exciting thanks to cascading reels and a progressive bonus. The slot’s design deserves special attention. The graphics are detailed and harmonious. The provider added an intro with a voiceover to immediately immerse players in the ominous atmosphere.
Guess the characters from popular slots based on the pictures
Volatility and returns The machine’s payouts are unknown. Observations indicate that the slot has medium variance. During testing, the largest drawdown was 61 bets over 100 spins. Unsuccessful sessions were regularly followed by profitable spins.
The trial game ended with a bankroll increase of 47x.
The winning combination frequency is 20-22%. Approximately one-third of all payouts covers the cost of a spin. Free spins are also regularly activated in the slot. This occurred 16 times during testing. The activation of risk-free spins depends on the progressive meter.
The slot’s winning potential is 2,000x the bet, so don’t expect particularly large payouts. The best win from a regular spin was 39.9x. The maximum win in free spins was 88.4x. The editors provide more details on the slot’s review process and features below.
Main game
The plot is based on the works of H. P. Lovecraft. He created the cosmic creature Cthulhu, considered a Great Old God among the writer’s other fictional monsters. The monster dwells at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, has tentacles growing from its head, and an eye resembling a dragon’s.
The game board format is 5 x 5. Payouts are awarded using a cluster mechanic. When 4 or more symbols appear adjacent horizontally or vertically, the player wins. Clusters of 10 or more symbols yield the highest payouts.
Basic mode
Collecting a winning combination activates a cascading feature, and winning symbols fill a progressive meter located to the left of the reels. This is a portal that triggers modifiers. The type of feature depends on the number of symbols accumulated:
- When there are 7 symbols on the field, 2 wilds are added.
- When 14 icons appear, two more Wild symbols will appear on the reels. If they form part of a winning cluster, the Abyss feature is activated.
- At 27 symbols, 2 more Wilds are awarded. When they contribute to a winning combination, they trigger the “Void” feature.
The Abyss effect removes all symbols on the same reel or row as the Wild. The Void modifier works similarly, but removes a random set of symbols. The removed symbols are used to charge the portal.
The book icon acts as a wild symbol and serves as a nod to previous slots in the series. It doesn’t appear on its own. The symbol only appears while the portal is active.
However, the machine has a wild symbol with an increased multiplier.
This is an image of Rich Wilde. He appears in both the base and bonus modes and doubles the payouts of clusters he participates in.
Another interesting feature has been added. Periodically, one of the cells will light up. If a winning symbol lands in this position, a glowing eye will appear in the cell. After the cascade completes, it will add two wild symbols to the field, increasing the chances of forming a new cluster.
There are no traditional scatters in the slot. Free spins are activated when the counter reaches its maximum value. Accumulated progress is reset between spins.
Colored gems are low-paying symbols. Small clusters don’t cover the cost of a spin. Themed artifacts are premium symbols.
The value of symbols
The editors tested the slot on the developer’s website with a bet of one credit. The bets are typically set in euros or dollars. You can play with bets ranging from 0.1 to 100.
Free spins
When players collect at least 42 symbols in a single spin, the portal transports them to “Another World.” This is the name of the free spins bonus. Players receive one round with three built-in modifiers. For every three symbols collected beyond the required 42, an additional bonus is awarded. Up to seven effects can be activated.
Each modifier is applied to a single cascade chain. Essentially, one effect is one rotation.
During the bonus feature, more cells on the reels are marked with a frame. If the player manages to unlock all the hidden eye symbols, they activate the Mega Wild. This is a 4×4 image of Cthulhu that appears in a random spot on the reels. The symbol moves down the reels with each cascade, helping to create more winning clusters.
Action of modifiers
The average frequency of free spins was once every 62 spins. However, the results were little different from the payouts for regular combinations. The best bonus win was x88.4. The worst was x4.9. The Cthulhu Megawild was unlocked twice. More details on the results are in the table.
| Number | Launch moment | Number of functions | Winning bets |
| 1 | 50 | 3 | 9,2 |
| 2 | 92 | 3 | 6,9 |
| 3 | 190 | 7 | 28,8 |
| 4 | 280 | 4 | 18,5 |
| 5 | 425 | 7 | 39,6 |
| 6 | 470 | 4 | 32,7 |
| 7 | 605 | 5 | 12,7 |
| 8 | 620 | 4 | 14,3 |
| 9 | 642 | 5 | 46,6 |
| 10 | 712 | 3 | 4,9 |
| 11 | 722 | 6 | 26,4 |
| 12 | 870 | 4 | 84,4 |
| 13 | 895 | 7 | 66,5 |
| 14 | 916 | 7 | 38,5 |
| 15 | 918 | 4 | 88,4 |
| 16 | 945 | 3 | 14,5 |
The intervals between spins vary. Sometimes, free spins would activate after 1-10 spins. Sometimes, the wait would stretch to 145 spins. The bonus cannot be purchased.
Inspection progress
The test included 1,000 spins in demo mode. To better track bankroll changes and game dynamics, results were calculated after every 100 spins. Half of these periods ended successfully, offsetting the costs of the short sessions. The overall test resulted in a profit of 47 bets. Detailed results are shown in the table.
| Rotations | Results in betting | Best wins per spin | Free spins results |
| 1−100 | −51 | x3.9×3.7×3.6 | x9.2×6.9 |
| 101−200 | +23 | x20.5x4x3,4 | x28.8 |
| 201−300 | −61 | x5.2×2.1×2 | x18.5 |
| 301−400 | −60 | x10.8×5.2×3.6 | — |
| 401−500 | +20 | x12.7×10.7×7.5 | x39.6×32.7 |
| 501−600 | −75 | x5.8×3.1×1.8 | — |
| 601−700 | +21 | x8.5×6.5×6 | x46.6×14.3×12.7 |
| 701−800 | −4 | x8x4.6×4.1 | x26.4×4.9 |
| 801−900 | +99 | x13.9×4.6×4.6 | x84.4×66.5 |
| 901−1000 | +135 | x39.9×6.9×4.6 | x88.4×38.5×14.5 |
Statistics
The table below contains information about the slot’s key performance patterns. Statistics were collected during testing. Payout frequencies, bonuses, and other characteristics may vary from session to session.
| Parameter | Description |
| Observed volatility | Average |
| Probability of triggering free spins | 1 to 62 |
| Intervals without bonuses | Over 140 spins |
| Frequency of combinations | Up to 22% |
| Breaks between payments | 10-15 spins |
| Best odds in basic mode | x39.9×20.5×13.9 |
| Best bonus payouts | x88.4×84.4×66.5 |
| Worst results in bonus | x4.9×6.9×9.2 |
Video slot features
The slot’s main feature is the progressive bonus. It makes the base game dynamic and challenging. The modifiers focus on wild symbols. They not only substitute for other symbols in clusters but also clear reels to form new combinations. During the game, the player will encounter different types of wilds:
- Special– is added to the field using the bonus counter.
- With an increased multiplier— drops regardless of the portal’s functions and carries a x2 multiplier.
- Wandering giant symbol– appears only in the bonus game.
Free spins guarantee the activation of modifiers. The duration of the bonus round depends on the number of features.
The machine supports fast mode and automatic spins. You can launch up to 100 spins and set the end point. However, after activating the bonus, the settings are reset.
Machine gun characteristics
Provider Play’n GO The return percentage and volatility level are not disclosed in the slot’s help section. There’s no information on the official website either. This is typical for all of the provider’s games. However, Magnus Olsson, the company’s head of sales, spoke about the slots’ potential RTP in an interview with Bigwinboard.
The studio certifies all games except video bingo at several levels: 96%, 94%, 91%, 87%, and 84%. Some slots achieve a record 98% in certain jurisdictions.
However, it’s unknown what value is presented on the official website. It’s also impossible to check the slot’s payout at an online casino. The remaining technical information is summarized in a table.
| Parameter | Description |
| Developer | Play’n GO |
| Year of release | 2019 |
| Genre | Magic |
| RTP | Unknown |
| Official volatility | Unknown |
| Observed volatility | Average |
| Field format | 5 x 5 |
| Payment mechanics | Cluster |
| Risk game | No |
| Respin | Yes |
| Bonus Description | Free spins with a cumulative bonus |
| Purchased functions | No |
| Best combination multipliers | x100x60x40 |
| Maximum payout | x2000 |
| Jackpot | No |
Editorial opinion
The slot remains relevant even six years after its release. The graphics look modern, and the feature set feels fresh and unique. Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness is a unique entry in the Wilde family adventure series. Most slots in this category feature fixed paylines. The “book” mechanic is also regularly used. This slot retains the overall style and tone of the series, but offers completely different features.
The main drawback of the machine is the lack of publicly available RTP information. According to the developers, most slots have a return to player rate of up to 96%. However, games come with different values.
The video slot turned out to be a success, with 5 out of 10 spins ending with bankroll increases.
The best result for 100 spins is plus 135 “x”. Absence purchased bonusesIt’s not noticeable. Free spins are activated quite frequently without this. However, the editors cannot recommend this slot for bonus wagering due to the hidden return percentage.