Play Sanatorium Secrets

A sanatorium already sounds like the sort of place where the lights flicker for reasons nobody wants explained. Sanatorium Secrets from Pragmatic Play takes us inside a psychological horror setting built around a 6x4 grid and 4,096 ways to win. Large Wilds can carry multipliers, while Hook symbols transform characters and double existing values. Before free spins begin, a Puzzle feature determines which Wilds and modifiers accompany us into the main round. 

Our first view places the reels before a mist covered institution with locked gates, dim windows and very little evidence of a functioning complaints department. The dark colour scheme uses grey stone, faded green light and scratched symbol frames to create an abandoned clinical setting. 

Four patients and staff members form the premium symbols, while the card ranks appear on stained metal tiles. Large Wilds resemble burning walls or pages marked with frantic writing, and the Hook arrives as a rusted chain. During the bonus, puzzle pieces gradually cover the central reels as the sanatorium burns in the background. Short flashes, distorted sounds and sudden transformations give the features their impact. The presentation rarely becomes graphic, but the uneasy atmosphere remains firmly in place. 

Card ranks form the lower end of the paytable, beginning with the 9 and 10 symbols. Four character portraits provide the higher potential payouts, with the dark haired woman sitting at the top. 

• 1x4 Wild: This full height Wild appears on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 with a random 4x or 8x multiplier. The symbol substitutes for regular icons, and its multiplier applies to potential combinations passing through its position. 
• 2x4 Wild: Reels 3 and 4 can produce this double width Wild with a multiplier of 8x, 16x, 32x or 64x. When several Wild multipliers contribute to one combination, their values are added together. 
• Hook: Appearing on reels 1 and 6, the Hook collects high paying symbols from its row and converts them into 1x1 Wilds. Any existing Wild crossed by the Hook has its multiplier doubled. 
• 1x1 Wild: These smaller Wilds appear on the four middle reels after a Hook transformation. Each substitutes for regular paying symbols during the current spin or subsequent bonus round. 
• Scatter: The regular Scatter can land on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Three or more Scatters activate the standard free spins sequence. 
• Super Scatter: Reel 6 can produce the Super Scatter. A combination of three regular Scatters and one Super Scatter activates Super Free Spins. 

Puzzle Feature 

Before free spins begin, our bonus moves into a Puzzle round with three respins. New puzzle pieces remain locked on the grid, restore the respin counter and add one free spin to the upcoming round. 

Completing a middle reel with puzzle pieces converts the character linked to that reel into a Wild for the subsequent feature. The Puzzle round ends when the respins run out or all four middle reels become fully covered. 

Puzzle Hooks 

One or two Hook symbols can appear on the outer reels during the Puzzle feature. Each collected Hook then returns in a random position on every spin of the following bonus round. 

A Super Scatter trigger guarantees two Hooks during the Puzzle stage. This gives Super Free Spins more consistent access to character conversions and multiplier doubling. 

Wild Multiplier Upgrades 

A 1x modifier may land on reel 1 or 6 during the Puzzle feature. Each collected modifier increases the lowest multiplier available to the 1x4 Wilds during free spins. 

This development gives the Puzzle round a second purpose beyond creating character Wilds. The final bonus setup depends on how many reels, Hooks and multiplier additions we collect before the respins finish. 

Free Spins 

The standard round begins with six free spins, plus two additional spins for every triggering Scatter beyond the third. Character symbols completed during the Puzzle stage can appear as Wilds on reels 2 to 5. 

Whenever a Hook crosses one of those transformed characters, the symbol becomes a 1x1 Wild and its current multiplier doubles. The interaction gives these online slots mechanics a clear sequence, since Puzzle progress directly determines what can happen during the following spins. 

Super Free Spins 

Three regular Scatters and one Super Scatter activate the stronger round. Two Hooks are guaranteed during the preceding Puzzle feature, increasing the number of transformations that may occur once free spins begin. 

The remaining rules follow the standard round, including the extra spins earned from puzzle pieces and the multiplier increases collected on the outer reels. 

Sanatorium Secrets uses six reels and four rows, creating 4,096 ways to form potential winning combinations. Matching symbols must appear on adjacent reels from left to right, beginning with reel 1, but their vertical positions don’t need to match. 

Regular symbols can pay with three or more matches, while the highest character begins paying from two. The main mechanical changes come from oversized Wilds, additive multipliers and Hook transformations. Since a Hook can cross an entire row, one landing may convert several premium symbols and strengthen Wilds already occupying the same path. 

• Dark scenery isn’t the only useful comparison here, since the Wild systems and busy bonus stages also point towards three earlier reviews. 
• Monster Quest: Shadowy creatures and an ominous setting make this the closest thematic match, though the feature structure follows a different path. 
• The Goonies Megaways Rapid Fire: Character based symbols and a detailed bonus setup create a similarly busy experience, even with a less disturbing adventure theme. 
• 5 Lions Megaways 2: Large numbers of winning ways, Wild multipliers and an evolving free spins round connect the mechanics despite the brighter setting. 

Sanatorium Secrets gives us a convincing horror setting and mechanics that actually support the mood rather than merely standing near it. The Hook is the strongest part of the design, since each appearance can transform several symbols, create Wilds and double multipliers in one movement. Our Puzzle preparation also gives free spins a different setup on each trigger. 

Among online casinos, horror slots often rely on dark corridors and loud noises before returning to fairly ordinary reels. This one has more going on beneath the flickering lights. Some rules take time to absorb, particularly the relationship between puzzle pieces, character Wilds and Hook returns. Still, our opinion is positive for readers who enjoy transformation mechanics and bonus rounds with visible preparation. The sanatorium may be abandoned, but the feature department has clearly been working overtime.