Chi (ELK Studios): Review

ELK Studios’ output in the first quarter of 2019 has been a bit hit-and-miss. The opening release, The Wiz, was fairly average and didn’t leave much of a mark, while Ecuador Gold was a huge success and arguably one of the studio’s best ever. After that came the noticeably weaker Hit It Big, so if we follow that pattern, Chi should land on the stronger side. Let’s find out.

If you’ve been following our latest reviews, you’ve likely seen us complain about how tired we are of the endless stream of cookie-cutter Chinese-themed slots we keep getting served. It’s lazy, irritating, and screams a lack of imagination—pretty much the opposite of what games should aim for. Some players don’t mind as long as the wins roll in, but plenty of people want a brief escape from everyday stress into something that sparks the mind. Some get that from films, others from video games, and then there are the degenerates who enjoy spinning slots. Either way, here’s the point: even though Chi is Asian-themed, it doesn’t feel generic. Chi brings a story, named characters, and—most importantly—a distinctive visual identity.

At the heart of the narrative are two fox-like spirits called Chi and Mow, representing fire and wind (and no, not the kind you get after eating at Taco Bell). The action plays out on a quirky reel setup with cylindrical wheels that spin sideways. Mechanically, though, it’s pretty straightforward. Chi is a 5-reel, 3-row slot with 27 paylines paying from left to right and right to left, giving you 54 paylines in total. It’s available on all devices with stakes ranging from 20 cents to 20 Euros per spin.

With the Himalayan highlands and stunning natural scenery in the background, you accompany Chi and Mow as they search for the lost city of treasures. The theme has a gentle Asian feel, supported by calm, soothing music that helps set the tone. On the reels, you’ll spot lower-value carp fish, cups, fans, flutes, golden gourds, jade stones, fire lanterns, and lotus flowers. There’s also a wild symbol that substitutes for everything except the scatter.

Chi (ELK Studios): Features

Totems sit on both sides of the reels. When a totem symbol lands in position, it triggers the matching spirit. The red totem on the left wakes Chi—once he shows up, he fires fireballs onto the reels, which can add anywhere from 1 to 6 wilds. The blue totem on the right calls in Mow, who strikes the gong-gong and then increases your payouts with a multiplier ranging from 2x to 5x.

The game includes two bonus features. First up is the Free Spins feature, activated by landing 3, 4, or 5 free spins symbols anywhere on the reels, awarding 10, 15, or 20 free spins respectively. Retriggers are plentiful because there’s no cap on how many times the feature can be triggered again. During free spins, any wilds created by Chi remain sticky for the entire round. On top of that, the first time you hit Mow, it starts a progressive multip0lier beginning at x2 and climbing as high as x5.

The biggest-paying feature is the Stairway to Fortune bonus, triggered by landing 3 bonus symbols. In this mode, Chi and Mow team up to advance toward the Fortune Reels. Chi selects a random number from 1 to 6, and Mow moves that many steps along a cloud path where multipliers steadily increase. This continues until Chi draws collect, at which point the multiplier Mow is holding is paid out based on your bet level.

There’s an even stronger result, though—the one where you make it all the way to the heavenly Fortune Reels. At that stage, you’re awarded a spin on each of the 5 reels, with all collected multipliers now stacked on top. The top prize comes from landing the arrow on the highest reel, which adds the final 10,000x multiplier to your winnings. Altogether, this feature can deliver up to 12,500 times your stake.

Chi (ELK Studios): Verdict

Chi has plenty going for it. It’s a beautiful, charming story that genuinely helps redeem the theme, and it pairs that with inventive gameplay, distinctive and polished visuals, and excellent upside. The underlying mechanic won’t suit everyone, but ELK Studios has put together a solid feature framework that’s engaging enough to pull you into the world of Chi and Mow.

Chi is the kind of slot that will be a favorite for some and a miss for others. In our view, it’s absolutely worth a try. Just keep in mind it’s volatile, so approach with care. May the spirits guide you on your hunt for the lost city of treasures.