Review of Golden Ticket

This 5×5 grid slot machine expertly captures the essence of a vintage circus theme. From the captivating opening video to the enthusiastic greeting of “Welcome to Golden Ticket” upon loading the game, every aspect is flawlessly designed to amplify the sense of awe and wonder one would experience during a circus visit. Even the ambient sounds are meticulously chosen, including the soft murmur of voices, the lively atmosphere of arcade amusements, the vendors selling their wares, and the distinctive droning circus music that can be recognized in any crowd at any time.

The game screen is divided into three main sections. On the far left, there is a multiplier list that displays a continuous record of the symbols you have matched, their respective values, the number of matches, and the total value of the combination. This information may be enjoyable for those who appreciate numbers and statistics. On the far right of the screen, you will find the mascot for your current round of play, which can be either the Ringmaster, the Strongman, or the Clown. Unlike in Gemix, where the mascot influences gameplay, here it only serves to entertain you. Each mascot has its own unique personality, but it does not have any impact on bonus features, payouts, or onscreen symbols.

Game Layout

The game screen is arranged in a 5×5 grid, with a unique twist on the reels. When winning symbols disappear, the remaining symbols fall down to fill the gaps, but no new symbols fill in the openings like in traditional cascading slot machines. However, Play’n Go has incorporated their Bonus feature and Wild feature into this distinct mechanic. <br><br>The symbols themselves are beautifully painted images that perfectly match the vintage circus theme. The standout symbols include the intricate portraits of the Ringmaster, Strongman, and Clown. If you land a winning combination of 3 or more of these symbols, that character becomes your onscreen mascot. <br><br>The other symbols include two variations of the weights symbol (one with a smaller dumbbell and one without), two variations of the ringmaster top hat (one with a whip and one without), and a set of juggling pins.

You might be wondering why the variants are important. Well, they allow the variants to contribute to a winning payline even when mixed. However, this will reduce the maximum weight by 66% and the top hat by 75%! The true highlight of Golden Ticket lies in its Bonus Feature, where the art direction truly shines. Instead of the standard gameplay, the 5×5 grid transforms into a stunning five-level arcade shooting gallery. The depth added to the wooden duck, lion, tiger, drum, and balloon targets creates an immersive experience that the slot could have benefited from having more of.

Special Features

Golden Ticket stays true to its unconventional and eccentric visual design and theme by diverging from the typical slot machine features and bonuses.

Shooting Gallery Bonus Round

When you play Golden Ticket, you will notice something peculiar: the word BONUS will be spelled vertically on the grid behind the symbols that fall down. However, it won’t stay in one place; instead, it will randomly change its location with each spin. The only way to unlock the Bonus Feature is by revealing the complete word BONUS, which is hidden beneath the slot symbols. Once you do this, you will be rewarded with 10 Free Spins in the shooting gallery. The artwork in this shooting gallery is incredibly detailed, and it creates a highly immersive experience. However, we were slightly disappointed to realize that you cannot actually shoot or choose a target symbol; it is simply a bonus game where you receive free spins.

Claim a Golden Ticket

Claiming a Wild Golden Ticket symbol does not occur through the random symbol drop. The only way to obtain a Wild symbol is by landing 3 matching symbols on the reels, either vertically or horizontally. The top and bottom (or left and right) symbols will vanish, but the center symbol will be magically transformed into a Wild. The Wild can substitute for itself, allowing you to have 2 Golden Ticket symbols adjacent to each other. However, be cautious as having more than 3 symbols side by side will cause the Wild to vanish like any other symbol. While having 4 or 5 symbols results in a larger win, you lose the ongoing win potential of the Wild symbol. It’s a dilemma to consider.

Big Bang Finale

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the ultimate goal of Golden Ticket is to remove all symbols from the screen. Various gameplay mechanics contribute to achieving this enticing but challenging objective. The exciting round of cascading wins, free spins features, and the chance to obtain Wild Golden Tickets all lead up to the grand prize of winning 1000 times your bet by clearing the grid! Considering the maximum bet size of 40.00 per spin, a 1000x win would undoubtedly make this the most unforgettable circus experience in human history!

Final Verdict on Golden Ticket

The Golden Ticket slot game is a delightful and captivating experience. While it may not offer the same level of constant novelty as games like Viking Runecraft, it still provides plenty of smaller wins and occasional Bonus Features to keep you entertained. However, some players may find it lacking in terms of overall entertainment value. Nevertheless, the exhilarating opportunity to win a massive 1000x your bet by clearing the grid is sure to entice any slot lover to take on the challenge.