Cygnus Review
Egyptian slots have become an everyday occurrence in the industry, with the developers finding it difficult to create an original online slot.
However, occasionally a provider strikes gold by developing a slot that is something completely different from the rest. ELK Studios has managed to create an original Egypt-themed slot in terms of appearance and theme.
In addition, Cygnus is the name of a star whose constellation is aligned with the Giza pyramids. The game successfully blends a classically Egyptian and cosmic theme, enabling players to grab handsome payouts in the process.
- Highly volatile slot with a 5,000x maximum payout
- Up to 262,144 paylines
- Multipliers and Free Drops
The graphics are sharp and crisp, with well-designed round symbols and attractive visual solutions. Moreover, the casino game has a Tetris-like structure, with the symbols freefalling from above and then rolling down the rows. Together with a catchy soundtrack, it completes the memorable audio-visual presentation.
What the creators managed to deliver with only a feature or two is genuinely admirable. It may not be an all-time classic, but Cygnus has all the elements of a minor one.
It is sure to remain in the hearts of slot enthusiasts and history lovers, with fantastic chances to conquer the market by storm. ELK Studios has a winner in its pocket with this one.
Theme, Graphics and Sounds
Cygnus has a classical Egyptian theme with a not-so-classic appearance featuring polished symbols that resemble the 80s. The Tetris-like composition gives the slot a fresh look that will never go out of fashion.
The audio-visual presentation is not spectacular, but it provides originality, which is most welcome. Furthermore, the game offers virtually nothing but Multipliers and Free Spins (Drops), but it turns out to be more than enough.
The Avalanche mechanic provides fast-paced gameplay and fun that never stops. Punters who enter the pyramid will surely never get bored.
The action takes place on a six-reel grid with four to eight rows, starting with 4,096 paylines, and it could go up to 262,144 ways. Land three to six matching icons on a payline to grab a win and fill your pockets.
The paytable includes three low-pay gems that give 0.2x-0.3x the stake for six of a kind. There are three more mid-tier icons, an Ibis, a Camel, and a Cat, granting 0.8x, 2x, and 3x the bet, respectively.
Finally, the most lucrative symbol is a Lucky Seven that awards 30x the stake for a combination of six. Other symbols you may encounter are an X that prompts Multipliers and a Wild symbol that replaces all regular icons in the game.
Numerous winning opportunities are in store for you with a bit of patience and luck. Employ the mechanic to snatch handsome wins and leave the pyramid happy. When the Bonus symbol enters the game, the Free Drops are around the corner, but they are not so easy to reach.
In-game features
Cygnus utilizes the Avalanche mechanic to bring you consecutive wins and lucrative amounts on more substantial bets. Multipliers also help the cause, but if you catch the elusive Free Drops round, you might receive hefty payouts.
Avalanche
The reels and rows are not aligned, so the gravity mechanic enables the symbols to fall down naturally. It resembles bouncing down a flight of stairs, thus creating an exciting effect.
Additionally, rows can be added after the winners disappear from the screen. It contributes to the changing number of paylines throughout the game. The only drawback is the winning values are not so spectacular given the Avalanche mechanic.
The X Symbol
If the X symbol makes it to the bottom, it triggers the Multiplier on the right pillar. It starts from x2 and goes up on every consecutive X icon.
There are four more values, including x4, x16, x32, and x64. If it reaches the higher levels, many lucrative wins await the fortunate players.
Free Drops
The Bonus game is not easy to reach, but excellent payouts are in it for you if you manage to activate it. When the Bonus symbol enters the fray, it must be moved to the left until it touches the pillar.
When it happens, you will receive seven Free Drops, where the game uses eight entire rows on every drop.
That is not all, as the Multipliers that enter the round become sticky and retain their place for the rest of it. Finally, the round can be retriggered under the same conditions.
Where To Play Cygnus?
RTP, bet sizes and volatility
The game’s RTP value amounts to 96.1%, going slightly above the industry standard. The hit frequency rate is 23%, meaning you can expect to win every four or five spins. However, this game has many empty or low-pay moves, so you will have to be patient to win substantial amounts.
The betting scope ranges from $0.20 to $100, attracting both high rollers and penny-pinchers. Everyone can afford the game, although some might be turned off by low base-game wins and multiple thrills the game provides.
Cygnus is highly volatile, promising infrequent but substantial wins and delivering an unforgettable gaming experience at a Canadian online casino.
It offers excellent entertainment and an original concept, but one might expect a higher maximum payout than 5,000x the stake under these circumstances. Still, it provides a fascinating adventure, giving players multiple exciting treats to enjoy themselves.
Verdict
ELK Studios has done a fantastic job with Cygnus, nearly creating an all-time classic. It is a highly entertaining game whose pace never drops and delivers many thrilling moments through the Avalanche mechanic.
Punters are guaranteed to have a blast for long periods of time. The only things that prevent Cygnus from being a Hall-of-Fame material are low base game wins and a low maximum win. With this mechanic and pace, you would expect something else.
The provider has created something completely different in appearance and structure, but it needed to be more generous. Our rating is 4 out of 5 stars.