Reel Gems Slot Review

Provider	Microgaming

Reel Gems is a 5-reel, 243-ways-to-win slot from Microgaming, built around a sparkling gemstone theme. Released in 2010, it sits in an era when Microgaming was pushing out some of its most enduring titles - and Reel Gems holds up as a solid mid-variance option for players who prefer steady, manageable gameplay over big swings.

The look is clean and unfussy: coloured gemstones (red, green, blue, white and yellow) fill the reels against a deep royal blue background, with the standard playing card symbols (9 through Ace) rounding out the lower pays. It is nothing flashy by today's standards, but the presentation is coherent and the gem-on-card approach gives the paytable a consistent feel.

Ways to Win and Betting

Rather than fixed paylines, Reel Gems uses 243 ways - wins pay when matching symbols land on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of their exact position on each reel. This opens up far more winning combinations per spin than a standard 25-line setup.

Coin values start at 0.01, and because the 243 ways are always active, the minimum bet per spin comes out at 0.30. The range scales up to around 7.50 per spin depending on coin size and coins-per-way settings - modest by current standards but workable for most sessions.

The game runs in two modes: Standard and Expert. Expert mode unlocks autoplay, which lets you set a fixed number of spins to run unattended. Nothing unusual here, but it is a useful option for longer sessions.

Wild Symbol

The Reel Gems logo is the wild. It only appears on reels 2 and 4, which limits how often it shows up, but when it does land it carries a 2x multiplier on any win it contributes to. It substitutes for all symbols except the diamond ring scatter, so a wild dropping into a near-miss combination on either of those central reels can convert a blank spin into a paying one.

Respin Feature

One of the more interesting mechanics in Reel Gems is the Respin Feature. After any spin, you can pay to respin a single reel of your choice. The cost varies depending on which reel you want to respin and what symbols are already showing - respinning a reel where you need a high-value symbol to complete a win costs more than one where you need a lower-value match.

This introduces a layer of decision-making that most slots of this era did not have. You are essentially buying another chance at a specific reel position rather than re-spinning everything. The key discipline here is to only use it when the potential win clearly outweighs the respin cost - chasing low-value completions can erode a balance quickly.

Free Spins and Rolling Reels

Three or more diamond ring symbols anywhere on the reels trigger the Free Spins feature. Landing 3 rings awards 15 free spins; 4 rings gives 20; 5 rings tops out at 25 free spins.

During free spins, Rolling Reels are active. When a winning combination lands, the symbols involved disappear and new ones drop down from above to fill the gaps - this can chain multiple wins from a single spin without the feature cost ticking up. All wins during free spins are also tripled, which stacks with the rolling wins nicely when a chain gets going.

The feature can be retriggered: land 3 or more scatter symbols during the free spins and the count resets, potentially extending a good run significantly. The combination of multiplied wins, rolling reels and retrigger potential makes the free spins the most lucrative part of the game by some margin.

RTP and Volatility

Reel Gems runs at 96.7% RTP, which sits comfortably above the industry average. Volatility is medium - you will see a reasonable spread of smaller regular wins alongside the occasional larger payout, particularly during the free spins phase. It is not a game that will swing your balance dramatically from spin to spin, which makes it suitable for players who want to extend sessions without too much drama.

The top regular-pay symbol is the white gem, which pays 4000x your coin value for five of a kind - factor in the 243 ways and multipliers and the theoretical ceiling is respectable even if hitting it takes some fortune.

Verdict

Reel Gems is a well-constructed slot that rewards patient play. The Respin Feature adds genuine tactical depth, the free spins with Rolling Reels and a 3x multiplier can produce some strong returns, and the 96.7% RTP gives it solid long-term value. It shows its age visually, but the mechanics remain sound and the 243-ways format keeps wins flowing at a comfortable pace.

If you enjoy Microgaming's library of classic slots and want something that plays steadily without demanding large stakes, Reel Gems is worth a session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the Reel Gems slot?

Reel Gems is made by Microgaming, one of the longest-established game developers in the industry. It was released in 2010 and remains part of their classic slots catalogue.

How many ways to win does Reel Gems have?

Reel Gems has 243 ways to win across 5 reels and 3 rows. Wins pay when matching symbols appear on adjacent reels from left to right, with no fixed paylines required.

What is the RTP of Reel Gems?

Reel Gems has a Return to Player (RTP) of 96.7%, which is above the industry average and indicates a reasonable long-term return over a large number of spins.

How does the Reel Gems free spins feature work?

Landing 3, 4 or 5 diamond ring scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers 15, 20 or 25 free spins respectively. During free spins, Rolling Reels are active (winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in to chain wins) and all wins are tripled. The feature can also be retriggered by landing more scatter symbols during the round.

What does the wild symbol do in Reel Gems?

The Reel Gems logo is the wild symbol and only appears on reels 2 and 4. It substitutes for all symbols except the diamond ring scatter and applies a 2x multiplier to any win it helps complete.

What is the Respin Feature in Reel Gems?

After any spin you can pay to respin a single reel of your choice. The cost depends on which reel you select and what completing a win would be worth. It is most effective when used selectively - only when a high-value win is one symbol away and the respin cost is proportionally low.