Storytelling Games: Can a Slot Machine Have a Storyline?

Storytelling is an integral part of the very existence of our identity as humans. Stories themselves are heavily incorporated into the myths we weaved, the culture that we formed, and, to some extent, even the behaviour that we exhibit today. They’re the foundation of the entertainment industry, which is worth billions if not trillions of pounds. But why are stories so effective? Literary experts say it all boils down to these five elements: plot, place, people, point of view, and conflict. Having these five elements is so powerful that it’s useful even in marketing when you convert boring numbers into stories that people can relate to. In games, it fulfils the same purpose.

The story does not serve as a mere backdrop to a game but instead becomes the very soul of it. The storytelling part helps developers make the game more relatable and more effective in retaining the attention of players. In slots, many software studios expertly blend engaging narratives with the gameplay. And the more that a bettor plays, the more that the story unfolds. The gambling industry has always been proactive with innovation. And today, you’ll see storytelling elements in more game titles than ever.

Game studios tend to use characters that already have a stronghold in pop culture. That’s why, most of the time, the characters featured are those that you already know about. Here are some examples:

• Sherlock Holmes. The famous detective of 221-B Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes, is known for his adventures, where he unveils the truth in mysterious cases.
• Dragons. Even though they’re generic characters, various cultures around the world place great importance on the mighty dragon. In the West, it’s a scary creature guarding untold treasures, while in the East, it symbolises strength, wisdom, and luck.
• Captain Nemo. Even though Nemo reminds most people of that adorable clownfish from Finding Nemo, Captain Nemo is a prominent character in Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
• Zeus. This Greek god continues to reign today even outside the gates of Olympus. Zeus and the rest of the main gods of Ancient Greece have inspired many movies and, today, even slot games!

What are the best slots to play? For many players, the quality of the storytelling can be the ultimate determining factor in whether or not they try something out. Fortunately, there are a lot of titles offering amazing gameplay on top of the breathtaking storylines. If you want the best of both worlds, we recommend looking at the titles below:

Blazing Mammoth XL SwiftHits

Released in September of 2023, Blazing Mammoth XL SwiftHits is the sequel to PearlFiction Studio’s Blazing Mammoth: Epic Strike and follows the same theme that made the original a huge success. This slot game takes us back to the Ice Age, along with other mighty predators that have since gone extinct. But even though the symbols are inspired by animals that are long gone, the chances of winning are very much alive with an RTP of 96.1%, a high level of volatility, and a max win of 5,000 times your bet.

Cowboys Gold

The ultimate symbol of the Wild West as people embarked into the New World, cowboys take centre stage in Pragmatic Play’s 2020 release: Cowboys Gold. This slot machine takes you on an adventure where the dangers are significant, but so are the rewards. The max win is set at more than 6,000 times your bet, and because you can also get up to 25 main free spins and as much as 5x multiplier, you’ll surely be hitting gold in no time.

Zero Day

Mancala Gaming gives us a glimpse of the apocalypse through its 2020 slot release Zero Day. Featuring highly futuristic symbols on the reels, you can easily guess what caused the world to revert civilisation to Day Zero. But you won’t need to guess relevant stats in this game! The RTP is 95%, while the volatility is low. So, expect lower but more frequent payouts from this slot. Receive up to 30 free spins when you get three bonus symbols in one spin. As a reward, you can also get as many as 4,050 coins.

Gangster Gamblers

Will you survive the dangerous, treacherous, yet potentially financially rewarding world of the mafia? Let Boomerang Games take you to a remote dark alley in Chinatown, and let’s see if you’re made to survive with Gangster Gamblers. Released in 2016, this crime-themed slot game may be a little dated, but its animations still hold up. Besides, who can say no to the prospect of winning a maximum of 20,000 times their bet? Test out your nerves of steel and see if you can come out richer than a mafia crime lord.

Voodoo

Images associated with voodoo will fill your screen and are sure to creep you out. An Endorphina 2016 slot title, Voodoo promises to keep adrenaline high from the terror of being cursed. But if you’re lucky, you may also be blessed with as much as a 5,000x max win. Are you willing to take things to darker paths in your quest for greater rewards? Stake your winnings from the spin through Risk Game, a unique feature that lets you double your win by selecting a higher-value card than the one that’s already face up.

Dragon Born

Dragon Born follows the myth of dragons in monarchic systems where these creatures are looking to devour royalty and hoard their riches. Will you be able to preserve these treasures and get some for yourself? Big Time Gaming allows you to do just that. The 6 by 7 slot layout is embellished with precious gems and other treasures. To reward your bravery for protecting your king and his kingdom from the dragon, you can get unlimited free spins and a max win of 10,800 times your bet. With 117,649 ways to win, this medieval-themed Megaways slot can bring you riches worthy of the most powerful kings.

Moriarty Megaways

Moriarty Megaways is an iSoftBet 2021 slot release that shifts the focus from Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to one of their major enemies: Professor James Moriarty. To match the sense of adventure and rivalry in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book, the studio has made sure that every element of this game is just as exciting. The highlight is the max win set at 37,500 times your bet. However, there are also features like cascading wins, random multipliers awarded, and as many as 30 free spins that heighten the sense of thrill and your potential winnings when playing this title.

Legend of Loki

Legend of Loki highlights the cunning and treacherous Loki as the main character for this slot title. Released in 2018, this iSoftBet treasure offers a lot of flashy features reminiscent of Loki’s ability to amaze and deceive. But instead of being left on the brink of ending the world, these features will improve your potential payout. Our two favourites here are Stacked Respins and Storm Shower. With the former, the first reel becomes sticky, and you get free respins as a result of three identical symbols in the first reel. Meanwhile, Storm Shower can have a lightning strike and turn random symbols into the same one, thus opening the possibility of creating a profitable pay line.

You don’t have to go to numerous sites to access the titles in the previous section. Access top storytelling online slot machines plus a lot more gaming options in these highly rated online casinos.

Casino Infinity

Casino Infinity can keep the fun going forever with its 8,000 game titles and highly responsive gambling platform. Whether you’re into mythology, horror, or blockbusters, finding a slot with a story that will transport you to a different place won’t be hard at all. Check out titles exclusive to this casino brand under the Exclusive category on the slots page!

SpinFever Casino

SpinFever Casino rewards its players with bonuses that they can claim any day of the week. Its disco-inspired layout is always fun to look at, but in terms of betting options, the real highlight is the Crypto Games section, where you can use crypto instead of fiat currency to place your bets. Various game mechanics are also available, like Megaways and Jackpots, most of which have interesting storylines to draw you in.

Zotabet Casino

How does 20% cashback every day sound to you? Zotabet delivers everything you want in an online casino through its fast-loading gambling platform. If you’re in the mood for slot titles based on a specific theme, this online casino already has thematic sections that you can check out. And for players who prefer using their mobile phones, there’s also a mobile app that you can install!

Storytelling games add another level of intrigue that elevates the entertainment value players can get. It’s no wonder that the compelling stories that the game studios develop draw in huge audiences! As a player, it can be easy to get lost in spinning the reels to reveal every part of the tale, but as much as we all like a good story, it shouldn’t be your number one priority. Because we’re talking slot titles in particular, it’s still important to look at the game features and the reliability of the developer itself.