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In the world of online casino games, slots are a staple that has captured the imagination of millions. Among these popular titles is "Shambala", an enchanting slot developed by WMS (Williams Interactive) that promises to transport players to a mystical realm filled with ancient secrets and treasures waiting to be uncovered.

Theme

The theme of Shambala is centered around Eastern mysticism, drawing inspiration from the legend of Shambhala – an alleged hidden kingdom in the Himalayas. The game’s artwork features intricate join on casinoshambala.com symbols inspired by Buddhist and Hindu mythology, including intricate carvings on temple walls, sacred animals, and ancient texts.

Design

Visually, Shambala is a feast for the eyes. The background gradient changes throughout gameplay to match the theme of each spin. The reels themselves are set against an intricately designed temple entrance with stone pillars, which adds a sense of grandeur to the overall experience. The game’s symbols, including playing card values (9-A), treasure chests, and exotic animals like elephants and tigers, exude a mystical aura.

Symbols

The paytable is comprised of both low-paying and high-paying symbols, each carrying its own unique charm:

  • Low-paying symbols: 9-10-J-Q-K
    • These are represented by ornate stone carvings that add to the game’s Eastern theme.
  • High-paying symbols:
    1. Treasure Chests (x20 – x100)
    2. Sacred Animals:
      • Elephants (x40 – x200)
      • Tigers (x60 – x300)

Payouts

Wins are calculated based on combinations of adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The payout structure is relatively standard, with larger payouts reserved for longer combination sequences.

  • Minimum winning combinations:
    • 2-Low-paying symbols: 1 credit
    • 3-High-paying animal symbols: 10 credits
  • Maximum winning combination (Treasure Chests on all reels): x1000

Wild Symbol

The wild symbol in Shambala is a golden Lion, which can be substituted for any standard paying symbol to complete combinations. Wilds appear on reels 2-5.

Scatter Symbols and Bonus Features

While the game does not feature traditional scatters that trigger free spins or other bonuses, it has an interesting setup:

  • Scatter symbols: Golden Orbs (x10)
    • These orbs activate the Shambhala Free Spins bonus round when three appear anywhere on the reels.
  • Bonus Feature:
    1. Shambhala Free Spins : Triggered by 3-5 Golden Orb scatters, players are awarded between 6 and 20 free spins (up to x200 of original bet).
    2. Mystery Reels Bonus : On certain wins involving the Tiger or Elephant high-paying symbols, a mystery reel bonus is triggered in which an entire column becomes wild for that round.

RTP

Shambhala’s Return To Player rate has been reported as 96% by several gaming review websites and forums. This relatively high RTP makes it appealing to players who seek slots with balanced return expectations.

Volatility

While the volatility of Shambhala can be categorized as medium-high, this is somewhat mitigated due to its free spins feature, which offers a potential increase in pay-out frequency during bonus rounds.

Betting Range and Max Win

The minimum bet on each spin is $0.01 per line, while the maximum is $100. The max win for Shambala Casino slots is $400,000, making it accessible to both casual players and high-rollers seeking big wins.

Gameplay Experience

For those accustomed to traditional slot gameplay, Shambhala offers a fresh twist with its unique symbols and features that blend into the Eastern theme seamlessly. Players have access to 5-reels spinning in both portrait and landscape orientations on their mobile devices or desktop computers.

Mobile Play

Shambhala Casino can be played directly through web browsers or as an app download for players seeking native experiences across a range of platforms, including Android and iOS.

Player Experience and Overall Analysis

For those attracted to Eastern mysticism and rich history, Shambhala offers more than just rewarding gameplay – it’s an immersive experience. The game balances simplicity with unique features like free spins and mystery reels bonuses, appealing both new players who seek straightforward wins and veterans looking for an additional layer of strategy.

While not every player will resonate equally well with the theme or payout structure, Shambhala stands out in its ability to weave Eastern mythology into modern slot design without compromise on game quality.