Book of Gems Megaways

Book of Gems Megaways by Skywind Studios pulls you into the sands of Ancient Egypt, where shimmering treasures and mysterious artefacts line the reels. The theme, while familiar, is executed with bold, vibrant graphics that bring the age-old story of pharaohs and lost tombs to life. It's got the classic Egyptian slot look—think golden scarabs, ancient books, explorers—but with a slightly more polished, modern feel than most. The soundtrack sets the tone with gentle, atmospheric melodies that don’t overpower but add to the intrigue. Underneath the enticing visuals, there’s a high-volatility mechanic at play, promising rarer but more substantial wins, and an RTP of 95%, which is admittedly a touch under what’s typical in today’s market.

Symbols and payouts

Spin through Book of Gems Megaways and you’ll find the paytable stocked with all the usual suspects, fitting right into its Egyptian surroundings. The low-paying group covers the classic 10, J, Q, K, and A symbols, each designed with stylish detail, though functionally they dish out modest returns for lining up clusters. Moving up, you’ve got symbols like ankhs, scarabs, sphinxes, and gilded treasures—mid-tiers that start to hint at bigger wins.

It’s the explorer symbol you’ll want to watch most closely: land five of these on a spin and you’ll take home a tidy 200x your stake, making it the slot’s most generous regular payout. There’s also the renowned ‘Book’ symbol. True to its legendary status in similar slots, it acts as both the wild and the scatter, stepping in for other symbols where needed and serving as the gateway to the game’s best feature—its free spins bonus. Every symbol feels right at home in the Egyptian landscape, and their payouts rise predictably from the modest for card symbols to more thrilling heights with themed icons.

Bonus features and free spins

The bonus round is the real highlight of Book of Gems Megaways. Hit three of those Book symbols anywhere on the reels and you’ll unlock free spins—a classic trigger mechanism that fans of ‘Book of’ slots will recognize instantly. But here’s where the Megaways twist comes in: before your free spins begin, the game randomly selects one symbol to serve as the expanding symbol for the duration of the feature.

As you spin through the free spins, landing three or more of the chosen expanding symbol causes it to cover its entire reel and pay out as a scatter, regardless of their position. This can lead to some exhilarating payouts, especially if a premium symbol is picked and you catch a few on several reels. What's particularly exciting is how easily retriggers seem to happen; additional sets of three Books during the bonus round can keep the free spins flowing, making for extended play and more wins.

The Book of Gems Megaways slot doesn’t include progressive jackpots or side bonus games—no extra pick-me features or gamble rounds—but it hinges all its excitement on the classic, tried-and-true expanding symbol mechanic. The reliance on this one major feature means there are no surprise bonus games in the base play, but if you love that big win potential when free spins catch fire, it’s built for you.

Getting started

Book of Gems Megaways is straightforward to play, even for those new to Megaways slots. All controls sit on the side of the game screen. To get going, select your stake—the game allows bets from 0.40 up to 100 credits per spin, offering flexibility whether you’re in for a modest session or ready to chase bigger wins. The menu on the left lets you access the paytable or tweak sound settings. The main spin button starts a single round, but for a hands-off approach, autoplay is available at the top of the controls. Speed freaks can tap the timer icon to toggle turbo mode for lightning-fast spins.

Unlike some Megaways titles, Book of Gems Megaways uses five reels with up to five symbols each, capping the number of possible winning ways at 3,125. That’s notably less than classic six-reel Megaways games, which often soar above 100,000 ways, but it still means plenty of action compared to standard five-reel slots. There are no adjustable paylines—the ways to win change with each spin based on symbol layout. Don’t expect a gamble feature here; the focus is squarely on those big wins through expanding symbols and free spins.

If you want to check out the mechanics without a commitment, the Book of Gems Megaways demo can be found at most online casinos that feature Skywind titles. This is your opportunity to experience Book of Gems Megaways free play and see how the features feel without risking your bankroll.

Verdict

Book of Gems Megaways is a bit of an oddity in the Megaways family. The lower max ways and familiar Egyptian theme mean it doesn’t blaze any new trails for genre veterans, but the execution is clean and visually appealing. The big draw—the expanding symbol free spins—remains a fan favourite for good reason. If you’re after non-stop features or the sheer chaos of traditional Megaways, you might feel like the game is a bit stripped back, especially with its no-nonsense base game and lower-than-average RTP. Still, there’s undeniable appeal in the suspense of hoping your chosen symbol expands across the reels for a big payout, and the unusual frequency of retriggers in the bonus round helps keep things interesting.

Book of Gems Megaways suits players who prefer classic slot mechanics with a Megaways twist, or anyone who loves that high-volatility thrill of chasing a single, memorable bonus round. If you’re looking purely for gigantic win potential, the top prize of 12,500x is enticing, and the slot’s explosive moments are genuinely exciting, even as the base play can feel a little quiet. As with most high-volatility slots, be prepared for stretches of low action, but also the possibility for big swings.

Ultimately, if you want a slot where the main attraction is a powerful free spins round and you’re not worried about having the latest, flashiest features, this is worth a try. Check it out in Book of Gems Megaways free play mode first, get a sense of the pace, then decide if you want to hunt those ancient treasures for real.