Tombstone Begins from Nolimit City is a prequel, judging by the name, in the Tombstone series. This game focuses on respin mechanics, Revolver modifiers, and three separate free spins modes. The game uses a 4-5-5-5-4 reel layout with 22 paylines and a collection of features built around sticky symbols, expanding multipliers, and chains of respins.
Tombstone Begins returns players to the dusty frontier, though it does so with a more restrained visual style than some of its predecessors in this online slots series. The setting is an abandoned Western town complete with weathered buildings, swinging saloon doors, scattered skulls, revolvers, and drifting tumbleweeds.
Animations are clean and functional, with revolver shots, symbol upgrades, and feature activations providing most of the movement. One effect we really liked is that clicking on the screen when the reels aren’t spinning will blast a bullet hole right through it. It won’t affect the gameplay but it is pretty cool. The only disappointing thing about the design is the background music. It’s probably meant to be suspenseful, but actually sounds like it was composed by a very depressed Ennio Morricone.
| Symbol | Payout for 3, 4, 5 of a kind |
|---|---|
| Ten | 0.15, 0.3, 1 |
| Jack | 0.15, 0.3, 1.2 |
| Queen | 0.15, 0.3, 1.5 |
| King | 0.2, 0.5, 1.6 |
| Ace | 0.2, 0.5, 1.8 |
| Knife | 0.5, 1, 3 |
| Revolver | 0.6, 1.2, 4 |
| Dynamite | 0.7, 1.4, 5 |
| Saddlebag of Cash | 0.8, 1.6, 7 |
| Gold | 1, 2, 10 |
| Wild | 1, 2, 10 |
Every winning combination triggers a respin. Winning symbols become sticky and remain on the reels. Respins continue whenever new winning symbols, wilds, scatters, Revolvers, or additional winning symbol types appear. Potential payouts are awarded once the respin sequence ends.
The Revolver is the game's signature feature. Each Revolver carries between three and six bullets, with one bullet fired during each spin.
Possible bullet effects include:
Several Revolvers can appear simultaneously, creating combinations of modifiers during a single spin.
Special bullets can activate an xNudge Wild above reels two, three, or four. The symbol gradually nudges into view when respins finish. Each movement increases the multiplier attached to the symbol, potentially creating larger wins.
When an Unleash symbol lands, every Revolver immediately fires all remaining bullets. This can trigger multiple upgrades, wild conversions, and multiplier increases in rapid succession.
The Refill symbol restores all active Revolvers back to six bullets. This gives them additional opportunities to trigger modifiers during future spins and respins.
Three scatters award six Gunslinger Spins.
During this feature:
Four scatters award eight Outlaw Spins.
This mode includes all Gunslinger mechanics while adding another advantage:
Five scatters award ten Widowmaker Spins.
This is the most feature-packed free spins mode. Alongside the benefits of Outlaw Spins:
Tombstone Begins uses a five-reel layout arranged in a 4-5-5-5-4 configuration. Rather than the ways-to-win format used in earlier Tombstone games, this release operates with 22 fixed paylines.
Winning combinations are formed by matching symbols from left to right across active paylines. The game features high volatility and includes a layered respin system that effectively extends winning spins when new qualifying symbols land.
The combination of sticky symbols, bullet modifiers, symbol upgrades, and expanding multipliers means that a single winning spin can develop through several stages before the final potential payout is determined. While the grid itself is relatively straightforward, the interaction between Revolvers and respins creates much of the game's complexity.
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We found Tombstone Begins to be an interesting change of direction for the series. The visual presentation is much more restrained than previous Tombstone releases, which may disappoint players expecting another over-the-top Western spectacle. However, the feature set remains packed with moving parts.
The Revolver mechanic is easily the highlight. Watching bullets upgrade symbols, create wilds, and build multipliers adds a sense of progression that keeps spins interesting. The three free spins modes also provide a clear escalation path, with Widowmaker Spins offering the most action.
If we had one criticism, it would be that the base game visuals feel a little plain compared to earlier Tombstone titles. Still, players who enjoy feature-heavy slots with chains of modifiers and respins should find plenty to like here.