Tale of Kyubiko

Tale of Kyubiko Slot Review

NOTE: Screenshots on this page were taken whilst we played this game for real money at Casumo Casino

Game Scorecard

How We Review Slot Games

We test and rate all slot games across 5 criteria, assigning a score out of 10 for each and an overall score that is an average of the 5. To build an accurate assessment of each game we gather information from the supplier and play in real play or demo mode. Find out more.

Overall Score

6.8

Despite it's simple features this tale of Japanese mythology-turned slot game is beguiling, though it lacks the depth to become a classic.

Game Information

  • Name: Tale of Kyubiko
  • Game Suppplier: Play n Go
  • Release Date: January 2022
  • Theme: Oriental
  • RTP: 96.29%, 94.29%, 91.29%, 87.29%, 84.29%
  • Variance: Medium
  • Maximum Win: 2,250x
  • Progressive Jackpot: No
  • Minimum Stake: £0.10
  • Reels: 3
  • Rows: 3
  • Paylines: 5
  • Features: Stacked Wilds, Walking Wilds Re-Spins, Progressive Mulitpliers

About Tale of Kyubiko

In a world crammed with super-sophisticated slot games, all stacked with features like splitting cells and bonus meters, designed to thrill and confound, and mixed with blockbuster top payout potential, once in a while it can be fun to turn the noise down and spin something more simplistic. This is what games like Play n Go’s early January 2022 release, Tale of Kyubiko are all about. Anyone who is a fan of Play n Go, and we very much are here at AllSlotSites.com, will know that their prolific slot studio can turn their creative talents to slots with a wide range of themes and gameplay. And after a year in which they turned out top games with feature-led mayhem like Ghost of Dead, Kiss and Dr Toonz, they start the new one with something easy for those still recovering from festive shenanigans! A simple game to ease a sore head if you like.

Tale of Kyubiko is a 3-reel and 3 row slot inspired by the mythological story of the Japanese goddess Inari. In the myth, Inari appears to travellers as a fox, or various other animals, and leads them to treasures in her lair. In Play n Go’s slot, Inari appears on the reels as a Wild symbol, along with various animal characters, and hopefully leads us towards that shimmering top win of 2,500x.

Despite its low-key maths and gameplay, Tale of Kyubiko boasts high production values, with a cute cartoon anime appearance and beautifully illustrated icons, with a reel set built against an atmospheric backdrop featuring cherry blossom, mountain peaks, pagodas and shimmering stars.

It’s all strangely hypnotic. Keep reading this review to find out how to play and what you can win.

What We Liked

  • Unique Japanese mythology theme
  • Super-cool anime design and animations
  • Stacked and Walking Wilds
  • Progressive multipliers up to 25x

What We Didn't like

  • Low top potential - 2,250x
  • Simplistic features

About The Developer

  • Name: Play n Go
  • Established: 1997
  • UK License: Remote 021725-R-304911-020
  • Total Games: 200 +
  • Known For: Grid slots, high variance slots, huge range of themes, styles and maths models
  • Popular Slots: Book of Dead, Reactoonz 1 and 2, Troll Hunters 2, Rise of Olympus

RTP and Variance 7/10

What is RTP?

RTP (Return to Player) refers to the amount a game will pay out in cash prizes expressed as a percentage of all the money wagered on that game. For example, a 96% RTP means a game will pay out £96 for every £100 wagered. This is an average number and will vary from one session to the next.  Read more here.

What is Variance?

Variance refers to how far a game will deviate from its RTP over time. High variance games deviate a lot and produce uneven win distributions and unexpected windfalls. Low variance games provide a more stable and even distribution of wins. Read more here.

The RTP of Tale of Kyubiko is set at 96.29%, which is about average for Play n Go slots, whilst the medium volatility level means this has a good balance of bets to rewards and a fairly even distribution of payouts. The low 10p minimum bet adds to the easy-play nature of this game. However, those used to playing slots with 10,000x or more top payouts will find the top potential here pretty disappointing – just 2,250x. You’ll need to land a good mix of stacked wilds and multipliers to get close to that number.

Paytable 7/10

The symbols in Tale of Kyubiko include the character of Inari herself, who appears stacked on the reels as a Wild symbol. Inari also appears as the fox mask, which is the second Wild symbol in the game.

You’ll find a smoking frog, a bird and a monkey, along with 4 card suits. The card suits pay the lowest rewards with 0.1x to 0.4x stake available for 3 of a kind. The animal characters can award from 2x to 8x stake for 3 of a kind. The fox mask Wild symbol can pay 10x stake and substitute for other symbols to create more potential wins.

Gameplay & Features 7/10

Features are limited to just three bonus events in this game with the highlight being the re-spins in which the shifting Inari character actually morphs into human form from fox as more re-spins ensue. Never before seen in a slot game!

Stacked Wild

Inari is the Stacked Wild and this symbol can appear to substitute for all other symbols in the game to create more potential wins. These symbols can arrive fully or partially in view and has the potential to nudge fully onto the reel in order to create a winning combination. The fox mask is also a Wild symbol, though this doesn’t appear stacked.

Respins

Landing the Inari Wild symbol as part of a winning combination will trigger a Respin. During this feature, Inari will become a Walking Wild, moving to a new position on the reels. You will see the Inari character moving between human and fox form in Inari’s Dance, which adds visual interest to the game and helps to tell the intriguing story of this Japanese legend.

Multipliers

You’ll receive a 1x Multiplier every time the Inari Wild moves along the reels with the potential to move through 2x, 5x, 10x and 25x Multipliers.

Our Verdict 6.8/10

Tale of Kyubiko is an interesting idea and we’ve never seen this legend brought to life in a slot game before. It’s a simple 3-reel game with attractive imagery and animations that are engaging with their beautiful design and anime vibe.

However, there isn’t much else to keep the gameplay interesting.

The only real feature worth getting excited about is the Walking Wild and attached Multiplier, which makes the biggest difference to your payouts. This is where you could pull off the 2,250x stake top reward if you manage to climb to the 25x Multiplier. This is also where Inari’s Dance comes into play, which is the most visually entertaining aspect of the game. The medium volatility and 10p minimum bet make this highly playable for everyone and the design is lovely, but if you’re looking for some seriously manic slot action, then this gently intriguing tale won’t be enough to keep your attention for long.

Useful Resources

Play n Go’s Game Profile Page

Our Slot Game Players Guide