Densho

Review Densho

Densho is a brand new pokie game by Hacksaw Gaming, taking you to a charming place in Japan. This means that there are cherry trees everywhere and the good thing is that they are all in full bloom. Like many other recent games by the same software developer, you are about to become part of another splendid casino game, including amazing watercolour paintings. The word “densho” might not be familiar with everyone but it basically means that you are leaving a legacy and passing it on to the next generation. This is done to prevent any form of negativity, providing you with the zen you’re looking for. It is also a cultural phenomenon which means that it passes on the traditions. If you ask us, this oriental styled game is one of the most visually appealing pokies out there.

How to Play

The Densho is an online pokie game that is played on a 5×4 grid and works with 10 paylines. The pokie is packed with all sorts of bonuses, including a bonus round with multipliers and a bonus buy feature for some extra convenience. Here is how to play Densho by Hacksaw Gaming:

• Go to your favourite online casino and look for the game in their lobby.
• Next look for the wager functions which can be found at the bottom of the reels. Make use of the arrows to select a total stake, starting at just $ 0.10.
• Go for the spin button to start your gaming session. This can be done to the right of the wager function. Clicking on this button will set the reels in motion.
• To adjust the audio settings, click on the menu button found at the lower left of the reels. Adjust the settings to your personal preferences.
• Click on the menu button and select the ‘info’ button to read the rules of the view.
• Remember to gamble responsibly and stop when you’re not confident anymore about your behaviour or when you’re out of budget.

Symbol Wins

When it comes to the symbols, you’ll first see 4 standard Japanese writing symbols representing the lower values. The game’s high value symbols include the bridge, Crane birds, owls, Geisha girls and samurais. Out of these, the samurai is the most valuable symbol with 3, 10 or 20x the stake awarded when 3, 4 or 5 appear across any payline. There is also a Mountains Wild symbol that substitutes for all paying symbols. Combos of 5 wilds will lead to payouts of 20x the bet. Other symbols you’ll come across in Densho include the Common, Rare and the Legendary Densho symbols. These will give you multipliers and help you get to even better payouts. Then there is also the Koi Fish Scatter which is used to trigger the free spins and super free spins features. In both FS features there is an Upgrade symbol which will help you add the minimum multiplier values on the Multiplier Reels. In the table below you’ll find an outline of what the different symbols do:

Bonus Features

The Densho pokie is boasted with 4 bonus features. First of all, the Densho symbols award multiplier reels which are worth up to 100x. Multiple Densho symbols can lead to a total of 500x multipliers. As mentioned there are two different bonus features waiting for you in Densho: in the Free Spins feature, the idea is to collect upgrade symbols in order to increase the minimum multiplier of Densho symbols. Then there is also the Super Free Spins game which we’ll cover as well below. Let’s first start with the Wild Multiplier Reels feature:

Wild Multiplier Reels Feature

Whilst spinning you’ll come across Common, Rare and Legendary Densho symbols with all of them awarding a multiplier reel value. When one of the symbols land, the wild multiplier reels feature will get triggered. In this case, the Densho expands into a Multiplier Reel which means that the expanded reel lasts during 1 winning combo or more.

Conveniently, Multiplier Reels are wild and will substitute for all paying symbols. They also work with a multiplier which is applied to all winning combos. If multiple reels are part of the Multiplier Reels, the multiplier values are combined and applied. The exact Multiplier Reel value is determined by the quality of the Densho symbol. Here is how that works:

• Common Densho: between 2x and 10x.
• Rare Densho: between 5x and 50x.
• Legendary Densho: between 10x and 100x.

Free Spins Feature

The Free Spins feature is activated when 3+ Koi Fish Scatters land at the same time on a regular base game spin. With 10 FS awarded, you’ll see progressive trackers above every reel. The level of each progression tracker will then show the lowest possible Densho symbol quality that can land on that reel. Landing the Upgrade symbol will boost the progression tracker of that particular reel. The minimum quality of Densho symbols will also increase just like the minimum multiplier values on the Multiplier Reels. Landing 2 or 3 scatters will award 2 or 4 additional free spins each time, there are no limits here.

Super Free Spins feature

Then we’ve also got the Super Free Spins feature. This feature is activated by landing 4 Koi Fish Scatters during a base game spin. This will award a total of 10 free spins with the rest of the functionality resembling the Free Spins feature. Do note that the progression trackers will start at level 2 now. Landing another 2 or 3 scatters, will award 2 or 4 extra free spins. This can happen continuously with no limits in place.

Bonus Buy Feature

As with a lot of today’s online pokie games, Densho has a Bonus Buy feature that is available for players from NZ. There are 4 different bonus buy options which can be accessed through the Buy Bonus button. Let’s talk you through the options:

• BonusHunt FeatureSpins: 3x the bet to be 5x more likely to activate a Free Spins Round.
  • Volatility: high.
  • 96.35% RTP.
• Densho FeatureSpins: 50x the bet to be guaranteed 2+ Densho symbols per spin.
  • Volatility: very high.
  • 96.34% RTP.
• Free Spins: 100x the bet to get the regular bonus round.
  • Volatility: very high.
  • 96.37% RTP.
• Super Free Spins: 250x the bet to get the super bonus round.
  • Volatility: high.
  • 96.33% RTP.

Payout Metrics

As for the payouts, the Densho RTP rate is set at 96.4% which is above average and thus perfect. Do note that there are also 94.38% and 92.33% RTP versions so be sure to check before playing at the best NZ online casinos. This can be verified within Densho’s Paytable. Medium to high volatility (4 out of 5), the hit frequency rate is labelled as 24.46% meaning a winning combo will land about every 4.1 spins — based on the 96.4% RTP that is. When it comes to the game’s win potential, the Densho pokie offers 10,000x bet top wins. The good thing about this game is that the top payout can be won in different phases of the game such as the base game, the free spins, and the super free spins feature. Important are the Densho symbols as they award multiplier reels going up to 100x.

Summary

From an audiovisual point of view, Densho is truly extraordinary. We’ve seen quite a lot of software producers come up with oriental themes, but this might be the most beautiful production of them all. Hacksaw Gaming has really managed to distinguish itself from other providers in recent years and Densho is once again an example of what they’re capable of. The continuously floating background is something innovative although some extra attention might be needed in order to stay focusses. As for the features of the game, make sure to focus on the Wild Multiplier Reels. Landing Densho symbols will award Multiplier Reel which can come with multipliers up to 100x for the Legendary Densho. If you manage to land multiple Densho symbols, you’ll see the multiplier values go up.

There are two free spins features and in the basic Free Spins feature, the Upgrade symbol is needed to increase the minimum value of Densho symbols appearing. With enough Upgrade symbols, you’ll only see the Legendary Densho symbols on the reels go up with multipliers ranging between 10x and 100x. The Super Free Spins feature works about the same but lets you start at level 2. This can also see Rare or Legendary Densho symbols landing. This way it becomes easier to reach level 3 with the higher multipliers.

With top payouts of 10,000x the stake, the stats of Densho are just as impressive as the game’s overall design. All together, this is a highly unique online casino game that is available in New Zealand. This is different from most other pokies we’ve come across so far in 2023.