Diamond Rise Slot Review

Diamond Rise brings the old-school 3-reel format to life with a Pachinko bonus round that’s more enjoyable than it has any right to be. Developed and released by Rarestone Gaming (a Playtech studio) in 2022, this slot game runs on a 3×3 grid with 3 paylines and keeps the base game clean and simple. 

The theme is neon-retro, including BARs, cherries and bells with crisp flashes instead of long cutscenes. You can expect a 95.96% RTP, medium-high volatility , and a 3,000× max win (during the Diamond Rise feature). From a player’s perspective, that combo suits short, focused sessions where the bonus round does the heavy lifting.

Slot Summary

Play Diamond Rise Demo

Test the pace of the base game first to see how often the middle-reel Wild completes a line and how streaky three-line classics can feel. You’ll also get to see how the Diamond Rise feature works. 

Game Overview

Developer & Launch

Diamond Rise was developed by Rarestone Gaming, a Sydney-based studio within Playtech (formerly 88 Technologies, acquired in 2018). The team is known for classic-first designs, clean 3×3 grids, wide bet ranges, and a single standout mechanic. Diamond Rise launched globally in May 2022. 

Layout & Numbers

• 3×3, 3 paylines; wins are 3-of-a-kind on a line.

• Betting: typically 0.01-500 (currency units); in SA, we’ve seen minimums as low as R0.10-R0.20 depending on the casino.

• Max win: 3,000× your bet.

• RTP: 95.96% (might differ from casino to casino)

Theme & Story

This slot is reminiscent of modernised pub classic fruit machines featuring BARs, cherries, grapes, 7s, and bells. There is no lore or storyline, just quick spins with a single big bonus feature. There are no flashy animations or cascading wins, just simple spins with big bonus potential.

Graphics & Sound

Clean neon symbols pop against a dark “cabinet” backdrop, with crisp line-win flashes and a subtle sparkle when Diamonds land. The audio sticks to light clicks and short pings, with a quick chime on bigger hits,  no looping soundtrack. This subtle combination keeps your focus on the 3×3 grid, which helps when you’re grinding for that bonus. 

Gameplay

During testing, it felt a bit hot-and-cold to be honest. Long stretches of nothing, then small 2×–8× line hits, with the Wilds on reel 2 doing most of the saving. The real action is the Diamond Rise bonus, where 3–5 drops can flip a “meh” session into something you might actually cash out on. This slot is ideal for casual gamers, but if you’re looking for adrenaline-fuelled action, this might feel a bit tame.

How to Play Diamond Rise

Playing Diamond Rise is all about its straightforward, classic action. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Set your stake (ZAR). Pick a comfortable bet (aim for 0.5–1% of your bankroll).

2. Know the layout. It’s 3×3 with 3 fixed paylines (the three horizontal rows). Only 3-of-a-kind wins count.

3. Spin. Each spin is final—there are no cascades, free spins, or jackpots in the base game.

4. Use the Wild smartly. The Wild lands only on the middle reel and substitutes to complete a 3-symbol line—watch for it to “bridge” wins.

5. Chase the bonus. 3 Diamond scatters anywhere trigger the Diamond Rise pachinko feature; follow the on-screen prompts to drop your balls and collect multipliers.

6. Manage your session. Set a spin budget/stop-loss, and if the game feels cold, lower the bet or take a break.

To help you on your way, here’s a quick rundown of the most important symbols to keep an eye on:

• Wild: lands only on the middle reel and substitutes for regular symbols.

• Scatter (Diamond): 3 anywhere triggers the Diamond Rise bonus.

• No cascades/free spins/jackpots - this is a classic line-pay slot with one feature.

Bonus Features

Diamond Rise (Pachinko Bonus)

• Trigger: Land 3 Diamond scatters anywhere.

• How it works: You drop a set of diamond balls down a pegboard into 6 cups with multipliers. Cup hits add to a running total multiplier. Special pegs/diamonds may award extra balls or multiplier boosts. Your total multiplier × bet is paid at the end. Spikes happen when extra drops stack.

Payouts & Volatility

Diamond Rise has 3 fixed paylines with the biggest single-line hit being 32×. Overall, it plays medium–high volatility (fewer hits, bonus-driven) with a 3,000× top win on your bet.

Below are the symbol payouts:

Tips for Playing Diamond Rise

• Demo first: feel the 3-line rhythm and bonus frequency before staking ZAR.

• Stake 0.5%-1% of bankroll per spin (e.g., R2.50-R5 on R500) to ride variance.

• Don’t chase the bonus: if it’s cold after a set spin budget, take a break.

• Watch the middle-reel Wild: if it’s showing up, you’re bridging more lines.

• Use SA promos sensibly (free spins/bonus funds) at licensed sites like Hollywoodbets/ Betway.

What is the RTP for Diamond Rise?

The default RTP is 95.96%, meaning that over a very long run, the game returns about R95.96 per R100 wagered on average. Always check your casino’s info panel for the live RTP.

My Final Thoughts on Playing Diamond Rise

Overall, I’d say Diamond Rise is a great pick if you like straight-to-the-point classics with one memorable bonus. It’s not without downsides, though. No free spins and no cascading wins will test your patience, but when that pachinko round hits, it delivers the kind of session-saving totals 3-reel fans chase. I would recommend Diamond Rise if you’re looking for simple play with decent bonus potential.