In recent years, online casinos have seen a surge in popularity, with countless players flocking to websites to try their luck at various slots games. Amidst this vast array of options, some titles have managed to rise to the top, captivating audiences with their unique themes, engaging gameplay, and lucrative payouts. However, just as quickly, these once-beloved slots can fall out of favor, losing their appeal and slipping into obscurity.
One such slot that has captured Crosstown Chicken the hearts of many players is Crosstown Chicken, developed by software provider Microgaming. Since its release, this game has gained a significant following, with numerous reviews touting it as one of the best slots available online. In this review, we will delve deep into the world of Crosstown Chicken, examining every aspect of this slot to provide an in-depth analysis.
Theme and Design
Crosstown Chicken is set against a vibrant backdrop that combines urban grittiness with rural charm. The game’s theme revolves around a flock of happy chickens who have made it big in the city, trading their coops for concrete high-rise buildings. As players spin the reels, they are transported to a bustling metropolis where these avian entrepreneurs can be seen strolling down streets lined with trendy cafes and upscale boutiques.
The game’s design is modern and sleek, featuring crisp, well-defined graphics that are sure to appeal to fans of city life. The background animation is equally impressive, showcasing the chickens’ various pursuits in a seamless manner. This attention to detail has undoubtedly contributed to Crosstown Chicken’s widespread popularity among players who appreciate visually engaging games.
Symbols
Upon closer inspection, we find that Crosstown Chicken features a diverse selection of symbols inspired by the game’s urban-rural theme. The basic paytable is comprised of standard card values (A-9) in bold, graffiti-style lettering. More exotic symbols include:
- A cluster of eggs as scatter symbol
- Three chicks as wild symbol (representing free spins)
- Various avian-themed icons featuring chickens lounging on a couch or wearing sunglasses
These creative symbols not only add to the game’s charm but also help create an immersive experience for players.
Payouts and Pools
Crosstown Chicken operates using Microgaming’s standard 5-reel, 9-payline framework. Each spin features nine chances to win with each payline able to award a maximum of 1,000 coins. While the payouts are not excessively high compared to other slots on the market, Crosstown Chicken compensates with regular frequency and consistency.
Wilds
The three chick wild symbol plays a pivotal role in Crosstown Chicken’s gameplay as it triggers free spins and multipliers alike. This feature is particularly useful during bonus rounds when up to 7x the stake can be awarded per spin. However, players must note that this particular game does not offer multiple levels of wilds or stackable wilds like some competing titles.
Scatters
The egg scatter symbol serves as Crosstown Chicken’s main source of free spins and extra rewards. When at least three eggs land anywhere on the reels (disregarding paylines), players are awarded 20, 15, or 10 spins depending on the number of scatters that trigger this feature.
Bonus Features
The Chick-tastic Feature is Crosstown Chicken’s most unique aspect – an innovative combination of free spins and multipliers. This bonus round can be activated by landing at least three chick wild symbols (the ‘three-chick combo’) during a paid spin or through the scatter symbol activation method mentioned earlier.
Upon entering this thrilling feature, players receive between 20 to 50 free spins, each bearing an additional multiplier that ranges from x2 up to as high as a staggering x30! The Chick-tastic Feature comes with even higher RTP (94.01%) during bonus rounds compared to standard gameplay; offering some substantial opportunities for those prepared for increased risk.
Free Spins and Auto-Play
While not the most expansive selection of free spin modes, Crosstown Chicken offers an excellent implementation through the Chick-tastic feature discussed above. This special activation triggers an immersive sequence where wins accumulate at a rate 4-6 times more frequently than normal! What’s even better is Microgaming has programmed this auto play function to be relatively responsive with only small intervals between free spins.
RTP and Volatility
As mentioned previously, Crosstown Chicken boasts an impressive Return-To-Player (RTP) of approximately 96.01% in standard gameplay; although we cannot overlook the Chick-tastic feature’s boosted RTP of 94.01%. While this volatility should give you some idea how likely these bonus features might trigger for more consistent gamblers – be warned that slot machines inherently vary.
Betting Range
Crosstown Chicken is designed to accommodate players with various bankrolls, allowing stakes ranging from 0.25 up to a respectable 100 coins per spin! As usual, the micro-max setting lets low-budget gamers test their luck while maximum betters can put on display – although please do gamble responsibly.
Max Win
While not boasting any astronomical jackpot sums (like Mega Moolah or some progressive slots), Crosstown Chicken delivers fair-sized rewards reaching as far as 250 times player stakes within the same bonus round that triggered Chick-tastic feature.