Sword of Shoguns Slot Review: 25,200x Samurai Book Slot
Free demo, no signup. 18+ · Demo play uses virtual credits.
Sword of Shoguns slot review: the short version
This Sword of Shoguns slot review starts with a plain verdict. It is one of the best high-volatility releases in the Thunderkick slots catalogue, and it earns our Masterpiece badge.
The setting is a quiet pagoda with snowy peaks and red maple trees behind the reels. The symbols are samurai gear: swords, fans, armour, helmets and the Shogun himself. The look is calm.
Sword of Shoguns came out in 2023 and works on desktop and mobile. The bet range runs from 0.10 to 100 per spin, so it suits small-stake testing and bigger stakes alike.
Key numbers at a glance
The game has 6 reels and 5,040 maximum ways to win. Volatility is high and the top prize is 25,200x your stake. The default RTP is 96.15%.
The feature list is short. There is one wild-scatter symbol, random reel heights and one bonus round. Thunderkick kept the design lean on purpose, and that is a large part of why it works.
Base game: shifting reel heights
Every spin gives each reel a random height of between two and seven rows. The number of ways changes with every spin, up to the 5,040 maximum when all six reels land at their tallest.
Wins pay left to right from the first reel. Most symbols need three or more of a kind. The Shogun is the top symbol and pays from two.
The base game is honest about its role. Hits on tall reel sets can feel good, but the real work happens in the bonus. If you want constant small wins, this is the wrong slot.
The Sword symbol: wild and scatter in one
The Sword is both a wild and the scatter. In the base game it substitutes for other symbols to complete wins. Three Swords anywhere in view start the bonus.
One detail matters for the bonus. In free spins the Sword still acts as a wild for ordinary line wins, but it never takes part in an expansion.
Free spins and expanding symbols
Three Swords award a random 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 free spins. The reel heights that were active on the triggering spin stay locked for the entire round.
Before the first spin, the game picks one regular symbol to be the expanding symbol. Any paying symbol can be chosen except the Sword.
The key feature is the retrigger. Three more Swords during the bonus add 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 spins and also select a new expanding symbol.
This is where the 5,040-ways layout pays off. A single expansion on a tall locked grid can cover most of the screen. Several expansions on the same spin are where the biggest results come from.
Bonus buy: check your casino
Our database lists this game without a bonus buy, but the game does include one in some regions. Where it is offered, it costs 120x your bet and guarantees three Swords.
The purchased bonus is listed at a slightly higher RTP of 96.40%.
Sword of Shoguns RTP and volatility
The Sword of Shoguns RTP is 96.15% in the standard setting. That is just above the typical 96% benchmark.
Check the game's info screen before you deposit. A casino running the 90% version gives the house a much larger edge over time. The demo may also show a different setting from the real-money game.
Volatility is high, and we agree with that rating. Hit rates on the big payouts are low, and sessions tend to be swingy. Treat your balance as a budget for the bonus, not for the base game.
Sword of Shoguns max win: 25,200x
The Sword of Shoguns max win is 25,200x your stake. At a 1.00 bet that is 25,200. At the 100 maximum bet, the cap would be 2,520,000.
Reaching it takes a rare run: a tall locked grid, several retriggers and the right symbols expanding. It is a theoretical top end, not a target.
Sword of Shoguns demo and free play
The best way to learn this slot is the Sword of Shoguns demo on this page.
Spend your first 100 or so spins in free play and focus on one question: do you enjoy waiting for the bonus? If the quiet base game bores you, that is useful to know before you play for real money.
How we scored it
Our 8.6 out of 10 reflects what we reward at ReelRadar: high volatility, a large max win and a respectable RTP. Sword of Shoguns delivers on all three.
It loses ground for simplicity. There are few features beyond the free spins, and the bonus buy is not available everywhere. The theme is also familiar.
Slots are random, and no review can predict results. Set limits before you play, never chase losses, and only gamble if you are 18 or older.
What We Like
- Up to four expanding symbols through retriggers
- 25,200x max win is high for this style
- 5,040 ways with changing reel heights
- Standard 96.15% RTP, with a free demo to test it
Watch Out For
- Quiet base game with long gaps between bonuses
- Some casinos run lower RTP versions
- Few features beyond the one bonus round
ReelRadar score
8.6/10Verdict: Sword of Shoguns is a focused, high-volatility slot that does one thing very well: it gives a tall, locked grid several expanding symbols. The 96.15% RTP and 25,200x cap back it up, though you should confirm your casino's RTP version. It earns its Masterpiece score for players who can handle long waits between bonuses.
Ready To Bet For Real?
18+ · Terms apply · Gamble responsibly
Sword of Shoguns FAQ
What is the Sword of Shoguns RTP?
The standard Sword of Shoguns RTP is 96.15%. Operators can choose lower versions of 94%, 92% or 90%, and the bonus buy version is listed at 96.40%. Check the game info screen at your casino.
What is the Sword of Shoguns max win?
The maximum win is 25,200x your stake. It needs a rare combination of a tall locked grid and multiple expanding symbols, so most sessions will never get near it.
How volatile is Sword of Shoguns?
High. Expect frequent small returns and long gaps between bonus rounds. Wins that matter mostly come from the free spins, so plan your bankroll around that.
Does Sword of Shoguns have a bonus buy?
In some regions, yes. It costs 120x your bet and triggers the free spins directly. It is not available to UK players, and some casinos disable it.
How does the free spins bonus work?
Three Swords award 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 spins and pick one expanding symbol. Three more Swords add 3 to 7 spins and another expanding symbol, up to a total of four.
Where can I play the Sword of Shoguns demo?
You can play the Sword of Shoguns demo for free on this page with no sign-up. Free play uses virtual credits, so you can learn the features without risking money.
Slots are games of chance and results are random. Play the free demo first, set limits, and gamble responsibly. 18+.