Cygnus 5: Slot Overview
Cygnus 5 by ELK Studios offers a cosmic blend of mystical Egyptian themes and innovative gameplay mechanics. Played on a 6-reel, 4-row grid, the game starts with 4,096 ways to win, which can expand up to 262,144 ways via the Avalanche feature. It has a medium/high volatility profile and an RTP of 94%, though it can drop to 87% in specific markets. Players can place bets from €0.20 to €100 per spin, and the max win is a whopping 50,000x your bet.
The paytable features three lower-paying symbols (triangle, diamond, and hexagonal shapes) that pay between 0.05x-0.2x for six-of-a-kind, and four higher-paying symbols (bird, snake, cat, and sun-moon) offering payouts from 0.1x to 5x. The wild symbol substitutes for all regular symbols, enhancing win potential.
Upon analyzing the paytable, we found that out of 28 possible combinations, only 4 return the stake or offer a profit. However, given the expanding reels mechanic, this structure is expected, as we noticed frequent multiple smaller wins during testing.
Cygnus 5: Slot Features
Avalanche and Expanding Reels
Winning combinations activate the Avalanche feature, which removes winning symbols and causes new symbols to cascade down. Each Avalanche adds an extra row to the grid, allowing it to expand to 8 rows high and drastically increase the number of ways to win.
Prism Symbol
When a prism symbol lands at the bottom, it transforms symbols in random directions into matching symbols or wilds. If one prism beam interacts with another, a chain reaction occurs, further amplifying winning possibilities.
Multiplier Symbol
Multipliers activate when they reach the bottom or leftmost column, increasing the win multiplier and then transforming into wilds. The active multiplier applies to all wins in the current round and contributes to the max win potential.
Meteor Strike
Triggered randomly after a drop, this feature replaces a set of symbols on the grid with wilds or feature symbols to increase winning opportunities.
Free Spins
Free spins are triggered when scatter symbols or super scatter symbols land in the leftmost column, awarding 7 free spins. The current win multiplier carries over into the free spins and remains persistent throughout the round. If a scatter lands in columns 2 to 6 and reaches the bottom, it moves one step to the left per Avalanche cycle, potentially re-triggering free spins.
Super scatters upgrade the round to super free spins, where a Meteor Strike is guaranteed on every spin. Additional free spins are granted when a scatter or super scatter symbol reaches the leftmost column during the feature. Each spin begins with 4 rows, and the expanding reels mechanic remains active, ensuring excitement throughout.
X-iter Bonus Buy Options
- Bonus Hunt: 3x the bet – Increases the chance of triggering a bonus or super bonus game by more than 3x.
- Meteors: 10x the bet – Guarantees a Meteor Strike on the first drop.
- Prisms: 25x the bet – Ensures at least 2 prism symbols during the game round.
- Bonus Game: 100x the bet – Direct entry into the bonus round.
- Super Bonus: 500x the bet – Direct access to the super bonus round.
Conclusion
Cygnus 5 is a solid addition to ELK Studios' iconic series, delivering engaging gameplay through expanding reels, multipliers, and Avalanche mechanics. However, its low RTP and repetitive visuals compared to previous entries may deter some players.
That said, fans of Avalanche mechanics should also try Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 or Candy Treasures, which offer similarly dynamic gameplay.
Fun Fact
Cygnus is one of the brightest constellations in the Milky Way and is often associated with mythology and astronomy.
