Developers 8MonkeyLabs and publisher Phantom EFX just recently released a brand new type of game that mixes Slot machine and RPG elements. Yup, you’ve heard me right; the game Battle Slots uses a Slot machine to determine the outcome of your hero’s actions during the fights with monsters.

Setting:
As for settings, the game started out as any other ordinary RPG game, where the world of Tellus has fallen under an evil rule and we find our main hero setting out on a journey to save the world from that evil. The game then focus on your hero’s new treasure: the Slot machine. Then all the villagers and important characters will explain to you how important your new item is and how to use it.

Graphics:
The graphics in the game may surprise you when you actually fight monsters. Every special moves and winning slot outcomes will have flashy effects. Thus, the flashy effects will make the game more appealing to gamers and not bland. Of course, after I’ve encountered my first monster and finally spin the slot machine, I was amazed when I won matching 3 swords and the game shows the connection of the 3 swords just like a real slot machine will when you get a winning spin. The flashy effects kept me spinning more as the battle goes on.

Gameplay:
This is where the game really shines. The simple slot machine mechanics actually fitted very well with the game. It really got me hooked once you’ve started spinning the damn thing and when you set out on a quest and battle monsters by spinning the slot machine, it actually feels very much a RPG game.

The game is very easy to pick up and learn, but with features like setting how you want the slot machine to play out. You can actually adjust the slot machine of what actions or items will come out more. For example, I can adjust the slot machine to get more attack action, thus increasing the attack actions to come out more often than say mana increase. After the adjustment it will increase items such as swords and clubs to deal damage to the monsters I am facing. The battles are similar to turn base, but once you spin the monster also spins and will inflict damage or spells depends on what the monsters get on their spin. The AI of some monsters are quite challenging since they will use their abilities often to get you to 0 life points before they are dead.

As for traveling in the game, it features a world map like any other RPG that lets you click on each location that you would like to explore. Once at this location say the “Main Town”, you get to choose places to go to like Shops, Taverns, Academy, Zoo, and Workshop. All these places have their own features for your hero to check out like the Tavern gives you Quest to complete, while the Zoo lets you check out the monsters you had captured.

Overall:
Overall, the game is unique, fresh, and new. It might seem weird at first to anybody reading about it, but once you start playing it just quickly sucks you in. I would recommend this game to any gamers out there that liked Puzzle Quest. Both have the same RPG feel yet I really do feel Battle Slots has more to offer. The game is out already on the PC and will be release later on consoles. At $19.99 this game will definitely entertain you for hours on end. Overall, I give this game an 8, very low price for a unique one of a kind RPG experience. Try the free demo at the official site and check it out.