Shadow State Review
Who didn’t grow up wanting to be a detective in a noir novel? With deadly dames, menacing mobsters and captivating crimes, noir stories are full of mystery and intrigue. Thankfully, Shadow State replicates this and manages to make an exhilarating slot as well.
Developed by Red 7 but published by SG Digital, Shadow State centres on a detective trying to solve a case. As the player, you become his partner and must help him solve the mystery. This crime slot is full of danger and suspense, are you up to the task?
Design
The only way to describe the design of this slot is breathtaking. Let’s start with the magnificent background of a seedy alleyway filled with little details such as a sewer grate and phone booth to give a full atmosphere. This added with the black and white filter really give it a pulp tone that makes it stand out for all the right reasons.
In the background, you’ll see things moving in the shadows and it’ll actually make you feel uneasy. From the car driving in the background to the phone booth lighting up, there’s a lot of suspense in the air.
As expected, the music is inspired by jazz. It emits the noir feels with a piano and jazzy music mixed with ambient noises to make it feel like a hard-boiled detective film. Sounds such as sirens, thunderstorms and ambient breathing just add together to create something spectacular.
Honestly, the design is a complete knockout with nothing left untouched. Even the spin button is shaped like a revolver and spins like one. There’s just so much detail and Red 7 have gone above and beyond.
Gameplay
Most of the features are random or can be triggered at any point. Whilst they are extremely vibrant and engaging, they are easy to follow. At the end of the day, all you need to know is your bet level and where to spin.
All the menus can be found at the bottom with the spin button being a revolver chamber. Next to it, players can find the autospin button to set up to a 100 and the bet level just to the right of it.
Win Potential
Shadow State is a high volatility slot with a fantastic RTP at 96.11%. Despite the brilliant gameplay and design, the win potential is a little lower than we’d want. The maximum win during the base game is 300x your stake by landing 5 of wilds.
Throughout the Bonus Bar free spins round, you can unlock a multiplier of up to 10x. If you manage to fill the reel with wilds during this multiplier, then you could win a maximum of up to 3,000x your stake. Of course, the developers state that the maximum win is 250,000 - so you’ll never get any more than that.
Our Verdict
The only way to describe this slot is a masterpiece in design. It completely evokes the spirit of noir and crime genres whilst staying faithful to modern online slots. Nothing is really compromised with the design or gameplay, and it’s just so much fun to play.
Naturally, the maximum payout of 3,000x your stake is lower than we’d like for a high volatility slot, but it’s a decent amount. With a lack of a jackpot, this may not appeal to typical high rollers but it’s definitely worth a play. The engaging gameplay and design are enough to keep you thoroughly entertained.
Can you crack the case and win up to 3,000x your stake in Shadow State?
A keen sports bettor, Sam took his first foray into the world of online slots when Bonanza Megaways caught his eye, he’s never looked back since! He joined the team in 2019 and has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of online slots, he isn’t afraid to voice his honest opinion when reviewing new games, even if it does ruffle a few feathers.
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