| Provider | Microgaming |
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Taboo Spell Slots Review
Taboo Spell is a 5-reel, 25-payline video slot from Microgaming built around a voodoo theme set in the American deep south. Released in August 2015, it carries an RTP of 95.57% and a betting range from £0.01 per line up to £150 per spin. The star feature is a randomly triggered free spins round where the Witch Doctor transforms premium symbols - but more on that below.
Theme and Design
The setting is a murky Louisiana swamp. Mist hangs over the reels, two torches flicker at either side, and a blue butterfly provides the only bright spot in the gloom. The soundtrack leans into the atmosphere with unsettling music that suits the theme without becoming irritating over longer sessions.
Premium symbols include a Witch Doctor, a Crocodile, a Tiki Mask, and a Skull. The lower-value positions use the standard 9-through-Ace card ranks, though Microgaming has at least given them a voodoo-appropriate makeover. It is not the most elaborate visual package by modern standards, but the theme is consistent and well-executed for a slot of its era.
Microgaming has a long track record with atmospheric themed games. You can explore their full catalogue in the Microgaming software section, or browse other titles with a similar dark theme such as Lucky Witch and Witches Wealth.
Symbols and Payouts
The Voodoo Doll acts as the wild symbol, substituting for all symbols except the scatter. Land five wilds on an active payline and you receive 1,000x your line bet - the highest fixed payout in the base game. The Witch Doctor is the top-paying regular symbol, followed by the Crocodile, Tiki Mask, and Skull in descending order.
The Taboo Spell logo is the scatter. It pays regardless of payline position, with two or more triggering a multiplier on your total wager. Three, four, or five scatters pay progressively larger multipliers - check the paytable for exact values as these vary by bet level.
Paylines are adjustable, not fixed. You can reduce the 25 active lines if you prefer to concentrate your stake, though playing fewer lines reduces your chances of hitting winning combinations on deactivated lines.
Free Spins - The Witch Doctor Feature
Taboo Spell's main bonus mechanic works differently from most Microgaming slots: the free spins are randomly triggered during any base game spin, not activated by scatter combinations. When the Witch Doctor floats in from the side of the reels, 6 free spins begin.
What makes the round worth watching is the symbol transformation. The Tiki Mask, Crocodile, and Skull symbols all convert into Witch Doctor symbols for the duration of the free spins. Since the Witch Doctor is the highest-paying regular symbol, this significantly increases the value of winning combinations during the bonus. Additional free spins can also be triggered within the round, extending it beyond the initial 6.
The random trigger mechanic means you cannot predict when the bonus hits, which keeps base game spins engaging. The downside is that low-variance players who prefer scatter-triggered bonuses with a visual build-up may find the unpredictability frustrating.
Bet Range and Volatility
Stakes run from £0.25 (25 lines at £0.01) up to £150 per spin (25 lines at £0.20 per line, 30 coins per line). The 95.57% RTP sits slightly below the current industry average of around 96%, meaning the house edge is 4.43%. Volatility is not officially classified by Microgaming for this title, but the randomly triggered bonus with symbol transformation suggests medium variance - regular small wins from the base game with occasional bonus spikes.
The maximum jackpot is 1,000x the line bet, which at maximum stake equates to £6,000. That puts Taboo Spell firmly in the mid-range for max wins; it is not a high-volatility jackpot game.
How It Compares
Taboo Spell sits in a crowded niche of Microgaming's back catalogue. If you enjoy the voodoo theme, Alaskan Fishing offers a different atmosphere but a similar base-game feel, while Agent Jane Blonde brings a comparable free spins approach with a different trigger mechanic. For more recent Microgaming releases with higher volatility and larger max wins, the full provider page is worth a browse.
The lack of a traditional pick-em bonus or progressive jackpot keeps the feature set lean. Whether that is a plus or a minus depends on your preference - some players value simplicity, others want more variety in how bonuses play out.
Verdict
Taboo Spell delivers a solid if unspectacular slot experience. The voodoo theme is handled well, the Witch Doctor free spins add genuine value through the symbol-conversion mechanic, and the adjustable paylines give you flexibility on stake management. An RTP of 95.57% is acceptable but not class-leading. This is a good pick for players who like atmospherically themed Microgaming games and a randomly triggered bonus that keeps every base spin interesting.
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