Wicked Tales: Dark Red is a gothic-themed video slot developed by Triple Edge Studios for Microgaming, drawing inspiration from the classic Red Riding Hood tale but with a dark, mysterious twist. Set deep within a shadowy forest filled with ominous figures and unexpected treasures, the game combines captivating storytelling with dynamic bonus features and big win potential.
Game Overview
Wicked Tales: Dark Red features a 5-reel setup with a unique 3-4-5-4-3 reel layout, offering 25 fixed paylines. The slot’s most distinctive mechanic is the Wandering Reels feature, a large 3×4 reel block that can shift position between the three center columns, creating added opportunities for stacked symbols and enhanced wins.
This slot has medium to high volatility, making it suitable for players who enjoy riskier spins with the chance for bigger payouts. The maximum win can exceed 5,000x your stake, especially during the bonus rounds.
Theme and Visuals
The visual tone of Wicked Tales: Dark Red is dark, seductive, and deeply atmospheric. The background portrays a foggy forest under a blood moon, reinforcing the slot’s eerie and mysterious feel. The artwork is polished and cinematic, with detailed character symbols that include the titular Dark Red, a werewolf, a burly huntsman, and other thematic items such as rings and potions.
The soundtrack enhances the gothic horror aesthetic with haunting melodies and ambient sounds, adding depth to the overall immersion.
Symbols and Payouts
The symbol set in Wicked Tales: Dark Red includes a combination of high-value characters and low-value icons:
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High-paying symbols: Dark Red, Werewolf, Huntsman, Wolf Ring, and Potion Vial
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Low-paying symbols: Classic card values from A to J
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Wild symbol: The “Dark Red” logo, which substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus
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Bonus symbol: The Moon, which triggers the Wolf’s Wheel Bonus
Dark Red is the most lucrative regular symbol, paying significantly when stacked across paylines, especially when aligned within the Wandering Reels.
Wandering Reels Feature
The Wandering Reels mechanic is a standout feature. It randomly shifts the 3×4 reel block across reels 1–3, 2–4, or 3–5 on every spin. Within this block, jumbo blocks (3×3 symbols) can land, increasing chances for large wins, especially when high-paying symbols or Wilds appear in these oversized formats.
This feature introduces unpredictability and strategic depth, as the location of the Wandering Reels affects the possibility of triggering the bonus game or achieving premium combinations.
Wolf’s Wheel Bonus
Landing three or more Bonus symbols triggers the Wolf’s Wheel Bonus, where players spin a wheel to determine two rewards:
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A cash prize of varying value
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Access to one of three special bonus features
The three possible bonuses from the Wolf’s Wheel are:
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Forest of Fortunes Pick Bonus: Pick from bags to reveal cash prizes and multipliers, avoiding traps to continue.
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Free Spins with the Werewolf: Focuses on the Werewolf symbol with high win potential.
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Free Spins with the Huntsman: Increases frequency of the Huntsman symbol for enhanced payouts.
The bonus game adds a layer of engagement and significant potential for big rewards depending on the choices and outcomes revealed on the wheel.
RTP and Betting Range
Wicked Tales: Dark Red has an RTP (Return to Player) of approximately 96.1%, which is within industry standard. The game supports a betting range of 0.25 to 200 credits per spin, catering to both casual players and high rollers.
The combination of solid RTP, wide bet flexibility, and high volatility makes it appealing for various playstyles and bankroll strategies.
Mobile Optimization
Thanks to modern development in HTML5, Wicked Tales: Dark Red performs seamlessly on mobile devices and tablets. Whether you play on iOS or Android, the game maintains its atmospheric quality, smooth animations, and responsive controls across all screen sizes.