Tome of Madness (Play’n GO) – Review & Demo Play

Tome of Madness - Game Overview

Play’n GO’s Tome of Madness drops Rich Wilde onto a 5x5 cascading grid with Cluster Pays and a Portal meter driving the action. I’ve played long sessions on the 2019 release and the rhythm is clear: four-plus symbol clusters trigger tumbles that push you towards Portal effects and the Other World Free Round. The default RTP sits at 96.59%, volatility is high, max win is 2,000x, and stakes run from 0.10 to 100. It’s a dark, Lovecraft-flavoured outing with punchy mechanics.

Gameplay & Mechanics in Tome of Madness

Wins form when four or more matching symbols connect horizontally or vertically. Those clusters disappear, new symbols drop, and chains build towards Portal thresholds. This is a grid-based adventure with momentum coming from consecutive cascades rather than fixed paylines. Eye Marks add extra spice: land a win on a marked position and two Special Wilds enter the grid, often stretching a run.

The Portal meter is the heartbeat. Each collected symbol moves you along, unlocking Special Wilds and, at higher charges, board-clearing effects that refresh the layout. Sessions feel like mini story arcs: a couple of small clusters, a meter bump, then a timely wild or removal that flips the board. When the flow aligns, base game runs can be surprisingly lively.

Graphics & User Experience in Tome of Madness

The slot leans into Lovecraftian mood: an eerie chamber backdrop, ominous portals, and relics that look the part. Audio ramps tension during Portal surges and wild drops, while animations stay crisp when cascades chain. I rate the presentation highly because it supports the mechanics rather than getting in the way, making the grid readable even when effects stack up.

Paytable Structure in Tome of Madness

Premiums are artefacts: Octopus Pendant, Dagger, Gemstone Ring, and Cthulhu Skull. On 10+ symbol clusters, typical returns reach 100x, 60x, 40x, and 30x the bet respectively. Lows are coloured crystals (purple, red, blue, green) that cap around 6x, 5x, 4x, and 2x for the same cluster size. The spread means big totals come from larger groups or extended cascades rather than single modest matches.

Wilds carry weight. Rich Wilde is a Multiplier Wild that doubles wins he completes, the Book acts as a Special Wild tied to Portal effects, and the Mega Wild appears in the bonus. With cluster scaling, a boosted premium group can swing a spin sharply. I’ve seen small crystal clears set up a pendant burst, then a multiplier wild convert it into something meaningful.

Tome of Madness Symbols and Paytable

Symbol	Quantity	Payout
	10+	x100
	9	x50
	8	x32
	7	x16
	6	x8
	5	x4
	4	x2
	10+	x60
	9	x30
	8	x24
	7	x12
	6	x6
	5	x3
	4	x1.5
	10+	x40
	9	x20
	8	x16
	7	x8
	6	x4
	5	x2
	4	x1
	10+	x30
	9	x15
	8	x12
	7	x6
	6	x3
	5	x1.5
	4	x0.7
	10+	x6
	9	x4.5
	8	x4
	7	x2
	6	x1
	5	x0.6
	4	x0.4
	10+	x5
	9	x4
	8	x3.2
	7	x1.6
	6	x0.8
	5	x0.5
	4	x0.3
	10+	x4
	9	x3
	8	x2.4
	7	x1.2
	6	x0.6
	5	x0.4
	4	x0.2
	10+	x2
	9	x1.5
	8	x1.2
	7	x0.6
	6	x0.3
	5	x0.2
	4	x0.1
	Wild
	Wild
	Wild

Payout Potential in Tome of Madness

Default RTP is 96.59%, though alternative configurations exist at 94.52%, 91.59%, 87.52%, and 84.50% across operators. Volatility is very high, so expect stretches of light returns before the right chain. The ceiling sits at 2,000x, realistic only when Portal progress, removals, and wilds connect during a strong sequence. Base game drips small clusters often enough to keep sessions moving, but bankroll swings are part of the ride.

Features in Tome of Madness

Portal thresholds structure the base: at 7 collected symbols you get two Special Wilds; at 14, more Specials plus Abyss if one wild helps a win, clearing a row or column; at 27, more Specials plus Void on a qualifying wild win, removing all instances of a random symbol. These removals refresh dead boards and can pull premiums into position for the next cascade.

Hit 42 symbols in a sequence and the Other World Free Round triggers with three Portal effects to start, adding another effect for every three extra symbols collected up to seven. Eye Marks remain key: wins on marked spots add Special Wilds that can keep the round alive. The layout feels like the base game turned up a notch, with effects chaining as long as wins keep dropping.

Two symbols define the highs. The Multiplier Wild (Rich) doubles connected wins throughout. When all Eye Marks open in the bonus, a Cthulhu Mega Wild drops, usually 2x2 or occasionally larger, stepping down with each cascade for repeat hits. Community chatter matches my sessions: the bonus can take time and sometimes pays light, but when the setup lands, the payoff justifies the grind.

Our Honest Verdict on Tome of Madness

This entry doubles down on mechanical depth. Cascades, Portal effects, Eye Marks, and multiplier wilds mesh well, and the horror theme fits the system. On the flip side, very high volatility and a 2,000x cap mean patience is needed. Dry spells happen and the bonus won’t always spike without Rich in the mix.

For me, this is a marathon game, not a sprint. If you like grid momentum and can live with swings, Tome of Madness earns repeat visits. When the meter climbs and removals align, it’s gripping. When it doesn’t, budget discipline matters.