Arcanum Game Demo: Review

Arcanum immediately presents itself as a slot with an arcane atmosphere and rich in original features. The narrative theme revolves around magic: an ancient wizard is the protagonist of the scene, accompanying each spin with his mysterious spells on a grid of symbols.

From a gameplay perspective, Arcanum uses an unusual 6x7 grid and adopts the cluster pays system: wins are obtained by forming groups of 5 or more identical symbols adjacent horizontally or vertically, instead of classic paylines.

Regarding the key numbers, Arcanum's RTP is set at 94.00%, a below-average value that reflects the game's high risk nature, and the volatility is high.

Arcanum Theme and Graphics

Arcanum's graphics combine mystical elements and fantasy details: the 6x7 grid is set in an ancient stone portal, immersed in a surreal landscape with floating rocks and magical glows in the background. The cold colors of the base game (with bluish and purple tones) emphasize the mysterious and solitary atmosphere, while during bonuses the scenery can take on warmer and more intense shades, suggesting that something special is happening.

From a symbol design perspective, Arcanum maintains consistency with the mystical theme: high-value symbols are represented by large, luminous magic gems (red, purple, green, and blue), set in ancient rocks, while lower-value symbols consist of smaller stones/gems of the same colors, less elaborate but still in line with the setting.

At the center of it all is the Wizard, who serves as an animated wild symbol: you'll see him appear on every spin, move and interact with the grid, casting spells when the opportunity arises. The animations are original and rich in special effects (sparkles, magical explosions, symbol transformations), but without being excessive: Elk Studios has managed to create a fascinating visual component that enriches the gaming experience without distracting too much from the mechanics.

Symbols and Payouts

The Arcanum slot features several thematic symbols, totaling about ten between regular and special symbols. The paying symbols are divided into two categories: on one side are the high-value magic gems (red, purple, green, and blue), easily recognizable and precious; on the other side, we find a series of minor symbols (smaller stones or gems of the same colors) that offer lower payouts.

The symbols and their associated prizes are:

• Red symbol pays up to 1000x the bet
• Purple symbol pays up to 250x
• Green symbol pays up to 20x
• Blue symbol pays up to 150x
• Other symbols (lower value) pay up to 75x

Arcanum Bonus Features

The game includes the activation of very diverse bonus features and special mechanics, making Arcanum's gameplay rich and unpredictable:

• Cascade wins: every time a winning cluster forms, the involved symbols explode and disappear, making room for new symbols that fall from above.
• Wild (Wizard): the Wizard symbol acts as a persistent Wild, appearing on every spin in a random position on the grid. The Wild substitutes for any regular symbol to help complete winning clusters (but doesn't replace Bonus or other special symbols). After each cascade, the Wild Wizard "jumps" to a new empty position before new symbols fall. Additionally, the Wizard is central to the spell system: each winning cluster that includes the Wizard is counted in a special counter.
• Wizard Mirror symbol: is another type of persistent Wild that represents a "clone" of the wizard. The main difference is that Mirror Wizards do not activate spells when forming winning combinations, but their presence alongside the main wizard can significantly increase the chances of creating winning clusters at multiple points on the grid.
• Multiplier symbol: behind some paying symbols may hide a special x1 symbol. When this multiplier symbol is revealed by a winning combination, it is collected increasing the round's global multiplier by +1. The global multiplier starts at 1x and progressively grows with each x1 symbol collected, applying to all wins obtained in that spin.
• Extra Drop: the Extra Drop symbol can also appear hidden behind symbols. If an extra drop icon is revealed by a winning cluster, it is collected and adds +1 to the free spins counter during the Bonus.
• Spell inventory: every time the Wild Wizard participates in 3 winning combinations in cascade during the same spin, the Wizard Win Counter is completed. When this counter fills, the game activates all spells that have been collected up to that point. Spells are magical powers hidden behind winning symbols: with each winning cluster, a spell icon (distinguished by a particular color/symbol) might appear behind the eliminated symbols.
• Special spells: Arcanum includes 5 different types of spells, which activate always in the same order when triggered. They are: Expansion, Add Wild, Transform Wild, Column Wild, Cross Wild: creates a cross formation (X-shaped) of Wild symbols on the screen, replacing symbols in those positions with wilds. These spells are cast one after another when activated, causing spectacular chain effects.
• Explosive and Transformation Orbs: these are two special symbols (called Feature Orbs) that appear rarely but have significant effects: the Explosive Orb removes all paying symbols in an extended area (can be a 3x3, 5x5 or even the entire 6x7 grid), except special symbols like Bonus, Wizards or multipliers; the Transformation Orb selects a type of paying symbol present on the screen and transforms them into another symbol of equal or higher value.
• Mirage Bonus (free spins with 4 scatters): if 4 Bonus symbols (scatters) appear in any position, in addition to activating the standard bonus game, the Mirage Bonus is unlocked. This mode rewards the player with 7 free spins as usual, but additionally at the start of the bonus +1 Mirror Wizard is permanently assigned.
• Arcanum Bonus (free spins with 5 scatters): the rarest and most rewarding event is getting 5 Bonus symbols simultaneously. In this case, the Arcanum Bonus is activated, which similarly offers 7 free spins, but with an extra advantage: at the start of the bonus +2 Mirror Wizards are added.

Jackpots and Maximum Wins

Arcanum does not offer any progressive or local jackpot: wins depend entirely on symbol combinations and game features. However, the highest possible win is truly significant. Thanks to multipliers and combined bonus effects, the game can pay up to €1,000,000.00 on a single spin (that is 10,000x the bet).

Similar Slots to Arcanum

Those who appreciated the cluster mechanics and magical setting of Arcanum might also try some similar slots in terms of theme or functionality, including:

• Phoenix Graveyard 2 by ELK Studios
• Voodoo Gold by ELK Studios
• Reactoonz by Play'n GO

Author's Notes

Arcanum is a slot that manages to keep player interest alive thanks to its interconnected and dynamic game structure. Each spin is not a standalone event, but part of a broader process: cascade wins, special symbols revealed behind clusters, and the constant presence of the Wild wizard create a sustained game rhythm full of expectations.

Despite the quantity of elements on screen (spell counters, multiplier, persistent wilds, etc.), the interface remains relatively clear: Elk Studios has done a good job making crucial information readable during gameplay. Sure, it takes a few practice spins to familiarize yourself with all the details, but once you understand the mechanism, you appreciate the logic behind each feature.

What makes Arcanum particularly interesting mechanically is the internal progression it creates. This balance between a "building" base game and an "explosion" bonus game makes Arcanum suitable for players who love complex challenges and long-term big rewards.

I would recommend it to more experienced users or those willing to invest time to understand the complex mechanics. Those who prefer simple, immediate games with frequent but small wins might find it initially disorienting.