Ali Baba

Ali Baba (Jili Games) Review

Singapore-based developer Jili Games, although predominantly focused on the domestic Asian market, sometimes explores other cultures and themes too. With Ali Baba, the company once again returns to the Middle East, for the first time since 2021, when the Magic Lamp slot machine was released.

As the title suggests, the game is based on arguably the most well-known Arabian folktale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. For those not in the know, that's exactly the story where the magical words ‘open sesame’ come from, which tells the legend of the poor woodcutter who overheard a group of outlaws and uncovered a cave filled to the brim with stolen gold and treasure.

In Jili’s take, the moral lessons of greed, loyalty, and revenge are removed from the equation, but it keeps the core element that players expect. The treasure cave is still there, waiting to be unlocked, and players get the chance to speak those magic words and touch the riches themselves during the game’s free spins.

Ali Baba Slot - Base Game

I really like the vibe Jili Games went for here. The backdrop showcases a mesmerizing star-filled purple sky and iconic Middle Eastern architecture, setting the right atmosphere straight away. The reels are filled with thematic symbols, including Ali Baba himself, his loyal servant Morgiana, and the bandits, along with stylized card ranks, jars, swords, etc.

The graphics are sharp and detailed, and the animation is outstanding too. Every time free spins are triggered, you get a short cut-scene showing the legendary moment when Ali Baba opens the treasure cave. It is a great little touch that adds a layer of storytelling and makes the Ali Baba slot game feel even more connected to the original tale. The soundtrack, while a classic Arabian tune, fits perfectly too and makes the whole experience complete.

The Ali Baba slot machine uses a dynamic reel setup that works in a way similar to the famous Megaways engine issued by Big Time Gaming. You’ve got 6 reels, and each one can hold between 2 and 5 symbols on a spin. How many rows appear is determined at the start of the spin, so the structure of the grid constantly alters. Additionally, there’s an extra reel that spins horizontally and sits above the middle four reels. Because of all this, the number of ways to win changes all the time as well, up to 32,400 at maximum capacity.

Symbols pay from left to right when they land on adjacent reels, from three of a kind and more. After every winning spin, the cascading mechanic kicks in – winning symbols are removed, new ones drop into place, and the process continues until no more winning combos appear.

The game is accessible to any type of player, with bets ranging from €0.10 to €100 per spin. As for the numbers, the Ali Baba game is powered by a low-to-medium volatile math, rated by Jili Games 2 out of 5. This means returns should be frequent. However, this also implies you should expect to see riches beyond imagination (even though the tale promised so) – Ali Baba max win is capped at 2,000x the stake.

Speaking of returns, the default Ali Baba RTP value is set at 95.07%, which you’ll likely encounter at most online casino sites. Yet, other settings are possible too, both lower and higher. According to our data, depending on where you play, you can find options between 93% and 97%.

Bonuses And Special Features

Gameplay-wise, Ali Baba feels a bit like Gates of Olympus, but at the same time, it doesn’t. It’s obvious that Jili Games took some inspiration from Pragmatic Play’s hit, yet the way things play out here is completely different – while the core idea may be familiar, Ali Baba delivers a unique experience. As you might have already guessed, the focus is on multipliers, and the real action comes during free spins, where those multipliers can climb to impressive levels.

Ali Baba Slot - Free Spins

Wild Symbol

The Wild symbol, represented by the man himself, Ali Baba, does its usual job of substituting for every other symbol except select specials. What’s interesting here is the Extended Wild, which only appears on the extra horizontal reel above the middle four reels. When it lands, it comes as a block of four Wilds, and once it gets cleared during cascades, it splits into four separate Wilds before disappearing. It’s like a regular stacked symbol, but horizontally.

Chest Multiplier

As alluded to above, the key feature in Ali Baba is the Multiplier, and it’s available at any stage of the game. During base spins, it always starts at 1x, but special Multiplier Box symbols can appear and increment the value. By default, each Box carries a 1x multiplier attached to it, and every time one lands in view, it is collected and added to the total.

This accumulated total is then applied to all wins you achieve on that cascade, and it can keep building until no more eliminations are possible. Once the sequence ends, the multiplier is reset back to the initial value. Worth noting that Multiplier Box symbols do not stick to the reels until the very end of the spin but are removed in cascades along with other symbols.

Free Spins

Ali Baba Slot - Multiplier Wheel

Keep an eye out for Scatter symbols, as these are the key to activating the game’s main bonus round. Landing 4 Scatters in the base game awards 10 initial spins, while 5 or 6 Scatters grant 12 or 14, respectively. Additionally, every extra Scatter beyond that adds +2 spins to the total tally. Finally, retriggers are also possible during the feature, all under the same rules.

Before the round begins, a Wheel spins to determine your starting multiplier, with values ranging between 1x and 4x. During the Ali Baba free spins feature, the multiplier on Multiplier Box symbols corresponds to that total value drawn upon the trigger. Just like in the base game, every Multiplier Box that lands is collected and added to the total, but the best part is that it doesn’t reset between cascades. The multiplier just keeps climbing for as long as the bonus lasts.

Extra Bet

The Extra Bet in Ali Baba doesn’t just boost your odds of triggering the bonus like in many other slots. Instead, it enhances the base game experience. In exchange for a 50% increased stake, every Multiplier Box symbol that lands comes with a doubled value, namely 2x instead of 1x.

Buy Feature

If waiting for Scatters isn’t your thing, Ali Baba comes with a Buy Bonus option. The cost is set at 48x your stake, and you can even buy up to 99 rounds in bulk at once. Through the dedicated menu, you can set your bet and select the quantity of bonus rounds you want to play in a row – high rollers will highly likely appreciate the convenience.

Pros And Cons Of Ali Baba Slot

Our Verdict

To sum things up, I really liked Ali Baba. Jili Games clearly took inspiration from a popular concept, but they didn’t just copy it – they implemented the idea in a pretty unique way. Add to that a relatively unique theme, and you end up with a slot that’s definitely worth paying attention to.

First off, the gameplay. It feels familiar, but at the same time, it plays differently enough to have its own identity. And there’s definitely identity when it comes to the visuals. The presentation and storytelling deserve special credit. It really ties everything closely to the folktale and makes the whole experience more immersive.

Of course, it’s not without drawbacks. The max win of 2,000x won’t impress everyone, though, to be fair, it matches the game’s lower volatility rating. On top of that, you should keep in mind RTP ranges, which means it’s always worth checking which version is offered at a casino. Still, despite those minor shortcomings, I believe players who appreciate Middle Eastern vibes and this kind of gameplay built around multipliers and free spins won’t leave disappointed.