Sherlock Mystery (Playtech) – Review & Demo Play

Introduction - Sherlock Mystery

I’ve played Sherlock Mystery a fair bit. This Playtech video slot runs on a 5x3 layout with 20 configurable paylines. The set-up is simple, yet the package feels tight thanks to its features. You get a wild detective symbol, a 221b Baker Street scatter, and a bonus icon that opens the Crime Scene mini-game. The flow stays classic. Wins land left to right on active lines, paying only the highest combo per line. It’s an easy start before the features get going.

The theme sits squarely in Holmes territory. Symbols show Sherlock, Dr Watson, a revolver, and a letter opener, backed by playing cards from nine to ace. I rate the mix because it keeps the reels readable. The interface gives you the info panel, autoplay, and turbo mode in a clean bar. Lines can be dialled up or down, which suits different budgets. It feels like a straight video slot with enough extras to keep me spinning longer sessions.

Theme, graphics & soundtrack in Sherlock Mystery

Victorian London sits in the backdrop with a soft, brief soundtrack that fires on each spin. It fits the old-fashioned detective angle and doesn’t grate during autoplay. On the reels you’ll see Sherlock and Watson next to the tools of the trade, like the revolver and letter opener. Card symbols carry fingerprint touches in some versions, which ties the set together. I like that the art stays clear at mobile resolutions. It reads well and keeps the tone without fuss.

Sherlock Mystery RTP and variance

The theoretical return to player for Sherlock Mystery is 94.09 per cent. That’s on the lower side by modern standards, so I keep stakes modest across longer tests. Variance plays in the middle band in my sessions, with a mix of smaller base wins and the odd larger hit during features, which mirrors the medium variance call in several write-ups. It’s fine for steady play if you enjoy the theme, though the free games can take a while to appear.

Bet sizes & paytable wins in Sherlock Mystery

When I run all 20 lines, the minimum total bet sits at 0.20 and the maximum reaches 20.00. You can alter the number of lines if you fancy stretching a session, yet I prefer full coverage. The betting ladder feels a bit tight compared with some slots, which the reviews also flag. Still, the controls are clear. Set your lines, set your line bet, and spin. Autoplay helps if you’re grinding for features. Turbo trims the downtime between stops.

The paytable keeps things simple. Wins pay one way from left to right, and only the highest combo on each line counts. Top line pays stand out. The wild villain can hit up to 10,000 for five of a kind. Sherlock pays up to 2,000, with Watson up to 1,500. The weapons and card ranks fill the rest. I keep an eye on stacked setups for the character symbols, as those lines shore up sessions while waiting for the features.

Sherlock Mystery bonus features

Free games are the headline. Land three or more 221b Baker Street scatters anywhere and you get 10 free spins. During the round, a revolver joins as an extra wild. When it helps complete a win, a random prize multiplier applies, with values up to x5 seen in the materials. The feature can retrigger with more scatters. In my sessions, free spins felt a touch slow to land, yet the extra wild makes the round worthwhile when it shows up.

The Crime Scene mini-game starts when the bonus symbol hits on reels one, three, and five. You enter a pick round with eight pieces of evidence on display. Each pick pays a cash prize, so there’s no fluff to wade through. The pacing is brisk, and it breaks up the base game well. I treat it as a balance pad rather than a jackpot moment, but a decent run of picks can set you up for the next batch of spins.

The third feature, Sherlock Meets Watson, is a neat reel event. If Watson lands immediately to the right of Sherlock anywhere on the reels, you get a payout worth 3x your total bet. It drops in the base game and during free spins, so it keeps the reels lively between bigger moments. I’ve had clusters of these in a short span, which helps smooth variance. It’s a simple trigger, easy to spot, and fits the theme cleanly.

Overall Sherlock Mystery review: our verdict

I rate Sherlock Mystery as a solid theme slot with a few hooks that keep me engaged. The Holmes setting, configurable paylines, and that trio of features give it shape. On the flip side, the 94.09 per cent RTP sits low, the betting spread feels narrow, and free spins may take time to show. If you like classic video slot flow with character-led moments, this plays well for steady sessions. I return for the Crime Scene pick and the extra wild action.