Shaolin Master (Hacksaw Gaming) – Slot Review
Shaolin Master by Hacksaw Gaming transports players to a serene yet intense world inspired by ancient Shaolin martial arts. The slot features a 5-reel by 6-row grid with a distinct Cluster Pays mechanic, where players can land winning combinations of 5 or more matching symbols. The graphics echo traditional Asian art with the Shaolin monks, chi symbols, and mystical elements, creating an immersive journey into martial arts mastery.
Much like Hacksaw Gaming’s Hand of Anubis, Shaolin Master employs an exciting cascading mechanic where winning symbols disappear, and new symbols fall into place, giving players the potential for consecutive wins in a single spin. Both slots also share the multiplier reel system, which can boost the winning potential as players progress through their spins. Shaolin Master builds on the popular features of Hand of Anubis while introducing a unique Shaolin theme, giving fans of both martial arts and high-potential gameplay an engaging slot experience.
Shaolin Master features a 5-reel by 6-row layout with Cluster Pays, awarding wins for clusters of 5 or more matching symbols. This medium-volatility slot offers a 96.31% RTP and a maximum win potential of 10,000x. Bets range from £0.10 to £100.
Shaolin Master Symbols & Pay Table
With 12 symbols in total, players encounter 5 low-paying symbols—10, J, Q, K, and A—and 5 premium symbols, represented by Fists, Necklaces, Throwing Stars, the Student, and the Master. Additional symbols include a Free Spins Scatter and three types of Chi Orbs, with the highest-paying Shaolin Premium symbol awarding 1x to 60x for clusters of 5 to 15+ symbols.
Shaolin Master Features & Mechanics
Cascades
Winning clusters remove winning symbols from the grid after payouts, allowing new symbols to cascade down and potentially create more winning combinations.
Chi Orbs
Chi Orbs act as wild multipliers that randomly appear on the grid, enhancing cluster wins by multiplying their values. There are three types of Chi Orbs:
- Blue Chi Orb: Starts with a 1x multiplier, increasing by +1 with each cluster win it participates in.
- Red Chi Orb: Begins at 1x, increasing by +1 for each symbol in the winning cluster, including any Chi Orbs.
- Balance Chi Orb: Appears only on cascades and multiplies any Red and Blue Chi Orb multipliers on the grid. It applies this multiplier to the win before disappearing from the grid.
Multiple Chi Orbs in a win multiply each other’s values, amplifying potential winnings. While the Blue and Red Chi Orbs persist through cascades, all Chi Orbs are removed at the end of each round.
The Student
Trigger the Student Bonus Feature with 10 Free Spins by landing 3 Scatters, or with 12 Free Spins by landing 4 Scatters. This feature introduces special Green Chi Orbs and Green Gem multiplier modifiers, which enhance reel multipliers. Each winning cluster increases the multiplier on its corresponding reel, boosted by Green Gem modifiers that range from x2 to x10. When a Green Chi Orb lands, it activates the reel’s multiplier, making it global for all wins. Each activation adds 3 extra spins. The max multiplier per reel is 9999x, and this feature can be purchased for 100x the stake.
The Master
Activate the Master Bonus Feature with 3 refilling lives by landing 5 Scatters. This feature replaces standard symbols with Stone Block symbols and introduces reel multipliers enhanced by Adding and Multiplying Modifier Blocks. These blocks are available in Normal and Epic versions, affecting either individual or all reel multipliers. Adding values range from 2x to 10x, while Multiplying values range from x2 to x10.
A Crusher Block clears the grid by destroying all Multiplier Blocks in its path, creating space for new blocks. When the Crusher Block reaches the bottom, it transforms into a Multiplier Block, with a value equal to the total of all destroyed Multiplier Blocks. Every time a special block lands, spins reset to 3. The feature ends after 3 spins without a Multiplier Block, Modifier Block, or Crusher Block. Payouts equal the sum of all Multiplier Blocks times the bet level, and the feature can be purchased for 200x the stake.
Conclusion
Shaolin Master by Hacksaw Gaming offers an exciting blend of martial arts-inspired visuals and engaging gameplay mechanics that keep players on their toes. With its unique cascading symbols, rewarding Chi Orb multipliers, and immersive theme, the slot brings a fresh twist to Hacksaw’s gaming portfolio. For players who appreciate a medium volatility slot with the potential for high payouts up to 10,000x, Shaolin Master delivers both aesthetically and in gameplay. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.
