When Dante Alighieri wrote The Divine Comedy in the 14th century, he probably didn't imagine his descent through Hell would one day inspire a slot game. But here we are, and Play'n GO has turned the Nine Circles into a surprisingly atmospheric experience that's part literary tribute, part soul-collecting adventure.
The game opens with a cinematic sequence that's genuinely impressive. You're guided through the dark wood, past the Gates of Hell, and into an underworld that's all cold stone arches and flickering flames. Lucifer himself sits above the reels with his three heads (just as Dante described), and the choral music creates an atmosphere that's more Sistine Chapel than casino floor. It's one of those rare slots where the theme actually feels considered rather than slapped on.
This is a five-reel, ten-payline setup that works exactly like you'd expect from a traditional slot structure. You're looking for matching symbols running left to right across those paylines, with wins forming when you land three or more of the same symbol on a line.
The medium volatility here is worth understanding. It means the pacing sits somewhere in the middle, not as frequent as low volatility games but not as punishing as high volatility ones either. Wins can land regularly without long dry periods. The RTP sits at 96.2% at its best configuration, though be aware that lower settings exist (down to 84.2% in some cases), so it's worth checking what your casino offers.
Betting runs from 0.10p to 100 per spin, and that's it. No complexity, no adjustable paylines. Just pick your stake and go.
The main event here is the free spins round, and it's got a clever twist that ties into the Nine Circles concept. Landing three, four, or five scatter symbols awards nine, twelve, or fifteen free spins respectively. But before the round begins, you spin a modifier wheel that determines which enhancement you'll receive.
The three possible modifiers are:
The Win Multiplier applies x2, x4, or x10 to all your wins during the round. It's straightforward and can really amplify decent combinations when they hit.
The Soul Modifier upgrades the cash values on Soul symbols (more on those in a moment), replacing lower values with higher ones. Default Soul values range from 1x to 100x your bet, so this can make a noticeable difference.
The Lantern Modifier increases the frequency of Lantern symbols, which is the mechanism you need to actually collect those Souls.
What makes this bonus more interesting than most is the progression system. Every four Lanterns you collect during free spins awards extra spins and can upgrade your modifier. If you've got the base Win Multiplier, for example, collecting four Lanterns might bump it up to a higher value. The upgraded modifier replaces the base one rather than stacking with it, but it still adds a layer of anticipation as you progress through the round and descend deeper into the circles.
The Soul and Lantern collection system runs constantly in the base game and adds a second win mechanism beyond standard paylines. Soul symbols land displaying cash prizes, but they don't pay automatically. You need a Lantern symbol to appear on the same spin to collect them and add their values to your total.
If Souls land without a Lantern, they're collected by Lucifer instead. This isn't just a missed opportunity, it's actually the gateway to the Hold & Win round. When Lucifer collects Souls, there's a random chance he'll trigger the bonus. You'll start with three respins, and any new Souls that land reset the counter back to three. The Souls stick in place, and at the end, you collect all their combined values. Fill the entire grid and the game offers a 1,000x jackpot on top of the Soul values.
It's a fairly standard hold and spin mechanic, but the random trigger adds unpredictability. You're never quite sure when Lucifer decides to activate it, which keeps base game spins interesting even when the free spins scatter seems miles away.
You can play Divina Commedia I Nove Cerchi right here at PokerStars Casino. The game's available across desktop, mobile, and tablet, so whether you're at home or on the move, you can explore the Nine Circles whenever the mood strikes. The interface scales well to smaller screens, and the cinematic opening sequence actually looks rather impressive on a decent mobile display.
If you're interested in other Play'n GO titles with similarly strong themes, Book of Dead remains a fan favourite for its Egyptian adventure vibe, while Rise of Olympus offers a comparable medium volatility experience with a Greek mythology twist. Moon Princess uses a similar cluster-style mechanic if you're looking for something with a different reel structure but the same developer quality.
The paytable splits into two distinct groups. Your lower-value symbols are the card ranks (X, J, Q, K, A), which pay between 3x and 5x for a five-of-a-kind combination. They're functional but forgettable, as card symbols tend to be.
The premium symbols are four demonic characters that fit the underworld theme considerably better. These pay between 10x and 25x for five matching symbols, with the top character offering the best standard return.
Wilds appear on all reels and substitute for everything except scatters. They're also your highest-paying symbol in their own right, awarding 40x your bet for a full line of five. When you see a reel stacked with Wilds, that's when the base game can deliver some genuinely satisfying wins.
The scatter symbol doesn't pay directly but is your ticket to the free spins round. And then there are the Souls and Lanterns, which operate outside the traditional payline system entirely. Souls can display any value from 1x to 100x, and Lanterns are what you need to collect them. They're the workhorses of the collection feature and often the difference between a quiet spin and a memorable one.
Divina Commedia I Nove Cerchi is a curious case. The theme is genuinely original and executed with more care than most literary adaptations (slots or otherwise). The descent through different levels during free spins, the choral soundtrack, the three-headed Lucifer presiding over it all, it creates an atmosphere that's surprisingly immersive for a medium volatility game.
The mechanics themselves are less inventive. Soul collection is solid but familiar. Hold & Win rounds are everywhere these days. Free spins with modifiers are hardly groundbreaking. What elevates the experience is how these features interact with the theme and with each other. The progression through circles, the upgrade system, the sense that you're actually descending deeper as the bonus develops, it all hangs together better than you might expect.
The 3,000x max win is where things feel a bit restrained. For a game about the eternal torments of Hell, it's surprisingly... safe. You're not going to find life-changing sums here, and the medium volatility means the ride is more steady than spectacular. If you're someone who lives for those five-figure multiplier screenshots, this probably isn't your circle.
But for players who appreciate atmosphere, enjoy collection mechanics, and prefer a more measured pace, Divina Commedia I Nove Cerchi offers a surprisingly thoughtful experience. It's a game that respects its source material without taking itself too seriously, and there's something genuinely refreshing about spinning a slot that's themed around medieval Italian poetry rather than the usual fruits, gems, or generic adventurers.
The Nine Circles might promise eternal punishment, but this particular interpretation is far more entertaining than torturous. Just remember to gamble responsibly and keep your sessions balanced.