Magic Journey is one of the latest pokies from Pragmatic Play. This game is rather unique, so anyone seeking a change of pace is sure to be entertained. If you’d like to know more, check out the following poker machine review.

What Makes the Game Different

Magic Journey is a one-reel, fixed line slot. When the reel is spun, up to five symbols can appear. All these symbols are based on characters from Chinese folklore, with the Monkey King being the most important.

A nine-symbol grid sits directly above the reel. After a spin, the symbols on the reel are highlighted on the grid. If the Monkey King symbol turns up, or if a payline is completed, then a bonus spin is awarded. The payout multiple increases with each completed payline, with eight completed lines being worth 400x your bet.

High Volatility Game

Pragmatic Play rates the volatility of their pokies on a scale of one to five lightning bolts. The more bolts, the greater the level of volatility.

Magic Journey has the maximum possible rating of five lightning bolts. This means, on average, it pays out less often than most pokies created by the company. However, there’s also an increased chance of hitting multiple big wins within a short period of time.

Due to the volatile nature of this game, make sure you have a solid bankroll and lots of patience. Otherwise, it’s best to look elsewhere when searching for a new addition to your pokie list.

Magic Journey online gameplay

Betting Range and Pay Table

Magic Journey offers a much different set-up than most pokies. As discussed earlier, filling lines is more important than specific symbols on the reels.

The smallest possible wager is $0.20 per spin. Meanwhile, the largest is $100 per spin.  There are 38 other options in-between these two.

When betting $0.20 on a spin, payouts include:

  • $0.40 for 1 line
  • $1 for 2 lines
  • $2 for 3 lines
  • $3 for 4 lines
  • $6 for 5 lines
  • $20 for 6 lines
  • $80 for 8 lines

When risking $100 per spin, the payouts to the player include:

  • $200 for 1 line
  • $500 for 2 lines
  • $1,000 for 3 lines
  • $1,500 for 4 lines
  • $3,000 for 5 lines
  • $10,000 for 6 lines
  • $40,000 for 8 lines

Now that we’ve looked at the two extremes, here’s a breakdown of the value of each line:

  • 2x bet for 1 line
  • 5x bet for 2 lines
  • 10x bet for 3 lines
  • 15x bet for 4 lines
  • 30x bet for 5 lines
  • 100x bet for 6 lines
  • 400x bet for 8 lines

Please note that there is no chance of winning on 7 lines at a time.

Return to Player

The return to player, also known as the RTP, is the expected payback of a pokie. This amount is expressed as a percentage, and it varies in the short-term. However, over thousands of spins, a game’s RTP should always be accurate.

For example, a pokie with an RTP of 93% should pay back an average of $93 for every $100 wagered. A $7 profit for the casino per hour might not sound like much, but imagine hundreds of games running 24/7.

The listed RTP for Magic Journey is 96.54%. This is average for a virtual slot, as online competition has led to greater paybacks than brick-and-mortar casinos.

Final Thoughts

Magic Journey requires a certain degree of patience, and it has no bonus rounds to look forward to. Despite these drawbacks, it remains one of the more original pokies I’ve seen in a while. Players with a small to medium bankroll should get plenty of enjoyment from the game. Plus, you may wind up learning a bit about Chinese folklore thanks to the colourful characters on the reel.

Additional Pokies from Pragmatic Play

If you’re a fan of Magic Journey, you may also be interested in other games from Pragmatic Play. Here are some other reviews I’ve written on the subject: