Jewels of the Orient Slot Review

Jewels of the Orient is a 5-reel, 9-payline online slot developed by Microgaming, released in December 2015. Set against a rich Asian backdrop, the game features ornate symbols drawn from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian and Pakistani cultural imagery, combined with an RTP of 96.5% and a medium volatility profile that suits a wide range of playing styles.

Game Overview

Jewels of the Orient is produced by Microgaming, one of the longest-established names in online gaming. The game runs on a classic 5-reel, 3-row layout with 9 fixed paylines, keeping things clean and familiar for players who prefer a more traditional slot structure rather than the sprawling ways-to-win formats common in newer releases.

The Asian theme is handled with care, drawing on visual motifs from across the continent. High-value symbols include five beautifully rendered oriental ladies in traditional dress from different countries, each paying out at varying multiples of your line bet. Lower-value symbols include decorative ornamental boxes and other culturally inspired icons. The soundtrack adapts as you hit winning combinations, adding an extra layer of immersion to each spin.

The RTP sits at 96.5%, which places it comfortably above the industry average for online slots. Combined with medium volatility, you can expect a game that delivers a reasonable mix of smaller regular wins and the occasional more significant payout - neither relentlessly tight nor wildly unpredictable.

How to Play

Jewels of the Orient is designed to be picked up quickly. The betting range runs from a minimum of £0.09 per spin up to £180 per spin, giving you room to adjust your stake based on your session budget. Coin denominations range from £0.01 to £0.25, with up to 20 coins allowed per line.

To set your stake, use the coin value and coins-per-line controls to find the amount you want to wager each spin. Once you are happy with your bet, hit the spin button to set the reels in motion. The game also includes an autoplay function that lets you set a number of automatic spins to run without manual input - useful if you want to sit back and let the reels run for a while.

Wins are formed by landing matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right along one of the nine paylines. The paytable is accessible directly from the game interface and shows the full breakdown of symbol values and feature rules.

Symbols and Features

The most important symbol to look out for is the game logo, which acts as the wild. It substitutes for all other symbols on the reels except the scatter, helping to complete winning lines wherever possible. Landing five wild symbols on an active payline pays out at 2,500x your line bet - the top jackpot in the base game.

The scatter symbol is represented by an ornate oriental palace. Landing three or more of these anywhere on the reels triggers the Palace Bonus game, which is the main feature of Jewels of the Orient.

In the Palace Bonus round, you are presented with a selection screen featuring warriors and noblemen. You make three choices in sequence: the first determines how many free spins you receive, the second selects your win multiplier, and the third awards a cash bonus prize. The number of free spins on offer depends on how many scatter symbols triggered the bonus:

• 3 scatters: 10 to 15 free spins, multipliers of 1x to 5x, bonus prizes of 5x to 25x total bet
• 4 scatters: 15 to 20 free spins, multipliers of 1x to 5x, bonus prizes of 20x to 100x total bet
• 5 scatters: 20 to 40 free spins, multipliers of 1x to 5x, bonus prizes of 50x to 120x total bet

The interactive element of the bonus round adds a layer of involvement that many players enjoy. Rather than simply watching reels spin during free spins, you have a hand in shaping the outcome of the feature before it begins.

Volatility and RTP

Jewels of the Orient operates at medium volatility. This means the game aims to strike a balance between hit frequency and payout size. You are unlikely to go many spins without seeing a return of some kind, but the biggest wins are reserved for the bonus features rather than appearing regularly in base play.

The RTP of 96.5% is a strong figure. For context, many slots from the same era sit in the 95% to 96% range, so Jewels of the Orient edges ahead of those. In practical terms, this figure represents the long-run theoretical return to all players over millions of spins, so individual sessions will vary - but it is a useful indicator of how the game is designed to perform over time.

Min and max bets of £0.09 and £180 per spin respectively give the game a broad appeal, covering casual players happy to spin at lower stakes through to those wanting to play at higher amounts.

Our Verdict

Jewels of the Orient holds up well as a classic Microgaming release. The 9-payline structure keeps things accessible, the medium volatility gives a balanced feel across sessions, and the Palace Bonus round adds genuine engagement through its pick-me mechanic. The 96.5% RTP is a real strength - it sits above average and gives players a solid foundation to work from.

The game will not appeal to everyone. Players who prefer modern slots with cascading reels, cluster pays or elaborate multi-stage bonus systems may find Jewels of the Orient a little lean. But for those who enjoy a well-built, theme-led slot with a reliable feature and clean mechanics, this is a solid choice. The Asian cultural theme is rendered with visual detail, and the soundtrack does a good job of lifting the atmosphere.

If you are already a fan of Microgaming's back catalogue or looking for a slot with a proven RTP and an interactive bonus round, Jewels of the Orient is worth a spin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Play Jewels of the Orient

We're currently updating our casino list for Jewels of the Orient. In the meantime, browse our full casino reviews or check out current free spins offers.