In true Betsoft fashion, the fruit in Fruit Zen look genuinely good enough to eat. The quality of these 3D graphics is simply otherworldly and will probably leave you drooling for some fresh berries or a piece of watermelon. And the calm ocean waters in the backdrop make for a very tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, hence the game’s title. There’s a gentle pinkish-purple sky that softly blends with the surface of the water and just extends far above it. All in all, it’s a lovely setting and a very pleasant change from all the loud noises and chaos that usually goes on in slot games.
By the way, there’s a very appropriate backing track to support that Zen vibe, too. In addition, upon closer inspection, you will also be sure to notice the Asian touch to the design in the finer details. However, let’s move on to the game’s setup and see how serene things are below the surface.
Still the Mind and Keep It Simple
Wherever the word “Zen” appears – simplicity is key. And the same is also true for the structure of this Betsoft online slot game. This includes the layout, which as you will see features your regular grid of 5 reels and 3 rows. The total number of available paylines here is equal to 10, and the game pays from left to right, as well as from right to left. But players have the flexibility here to actually play with a lesser number if they so choose. Just note that it’s only odd numbers of paylines that you can select to play with: 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
In addition, you can select to place anywhere from 1 to 10 bets per line. And to make things even more customizable, you can also adjust the coin denomination. So, in the end, all of this regulating and customizing will make for a very decent betting range suitable for most pockets. The minimum betting amount is only 2c per single spin. And the maximum possible wager will set you back a total of $100 per spin. Plus, if you ever get tired of the music or want to sharpen the graphics a bit, head over to the options button to access those and other configurations.
This brings us to those mouthwatering fruit symbols we already briefly described earlier on in this review. Typically for a classic themed slot machine, the lowest-paying symbol is the cherry icon. There’s also an unusual addition here, too, offering the same payouts – the raspberry symbol. Then, following an increase in value, we have the juicy purple plum. And after yet another increase, we see the watermelon icon.
Next up are the three higher-value icons, featuring the shiny grapes. And after that, we have the sliced lemon. Last but not least is the almost perfectly round orange symbol, offering payouts of up to 250 coins. That’s more than twice as much as the second-most-lucrative lemon can give you. And this just about covers the regular symbols in Fruit Zen. However, there is one more symbol that is no less deserving of your attention than the rest…
One Symbol, One Feature, and No Excess
The symbol in question is that of the game’s logo. This is the one special symbol on these reels, so be sure to be on the lookout for it – you certainly wouldn’t want to miss this. It acts as the game’s Wild and can therefore substitute for any of the other symbols on these reels. And unlike in most other offerings, there are no exceptions as to the icons that the Wild can replace.
However, it doesn’t land just anywhere. The Wild symbol can only appear on the middle reels – 2, 3, and 4. The good news, though, is that whenever it lands on the screen, it will expand to cover the entire reel it is on. What is more, it will even trigger a re-spin. That way, if you happen to land another Wild as a result of that re-spin, you will then get yet another re-spin. So, potentially, you can land all three Wild symbols and gain even more wins.
This is, however, the one and only special feature available in Fruit Zen. And it isn’t at all that easy to trigger it. So, in that sense, this title by developer Betsoft is pretty true to its classic slot machine theme. And fans of the genre will definitely be drawn to it exactly for this simplicity. Other players that are hungrier for more action and bonuses, on the other hand, may not be as interested. Is this a slot for you? Do you feel like taking it easy in this Zen atmosphere and focusing on a simpler and more straightforward gameplay? You can decide for yourself with the free playable version we have at your disposal on this page.
Of course, Fruit Zen may not be everybody’s cup of tea – no slot game really is. And as a classic offering, it’s not really supposed to be bustling with bonuses and special features. The name itself already precludes any such thing. We really liked that the developers followed through with this Zen idea on every level here. The peaceful vibe they’ve managed to create through the stunning backdrop and calming soundtrack helps you concentrate on spinning the reels without any distractions. The symbols here are few and very basic, just as you see in old school slot machines.
And all of this is wonderfully polished with the amazing, quality 3D graphics, which just further help you relax and make the whole gaming experience all the more pleasant. We would definitely recommend giving Fruit Zen a spin, even if classic slots aren’t really your thing. Maybe this will change your mind.