Golden Ticket Slot
Software | Play n GO |
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Reels | 5 |
Paylines | 20 |
Bet Range | 0.10 – 100 |
RTP | 96 |
Bonus Rounds | Yes |
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Free Spins | Yes |
Jackpot | 1000x your stake |
After the success of their initial 5×5 slot machine, Energoonz, Play’n Go took a different approach with their new creation, Golden Ticket. Despite the name, which may suggest a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory theme, Play’n Go decided to base their slot on a vintage traveling circus. This circus is reminiscent of the one depicted in the recent PT Barnum film, complete with a strongman lifting heavy weights, eerie clowns with pointy hats, and an extravagant Ringmaster. The only things it’s missing to complete the cast are a bearded lady and a mermaid skeleton display.
Review of Golden Ticket
This 5×5 grid slot machine flawlessly executes the vintage circus theme, immersing players in a world of wonder and astonishment. From the captivating opening video to the enthusiastic announcement of “Welcome to Golden Ticket” upon loading the game, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance the experience of visiting a circus. The carefully selected ambient sounds, including murmuring voices, arcade amusements, vendors selling their goods, and the captivating circus music, transport players to the heart of a bustling circus atmosphere that can be recognized instantly.
The game screen is divided into three main sections. On the far left, you can see the multiplier list, which displays a running total of the symbols you have matched, their values, the number of matches, and the combined value of the combination. These statistics may not be significant unless you have a keen interest in numbers.<br><br>On the far right of the screen, you will find the mascot for your current round of play. The options are the Ringmaster, the Strongman, or the Clown. Unlike in Gemix, where the mascot has an impact on the gameplay, here they are purely for entertainment purposes. Each character has their own unique quirk, but it does not affect the bonus features, payouts, or symbols on the screen.
Game Layout
The main game screen is designed with a 5×5 grid, featuring a unique type of cascading reels where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by other symbols, but no new symbols fill the remaining spaces like in a traditional cascading slot machine. Despite this limitation, Play’n Go has incorporated their Bonus and Wild features into this mechanic. 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 3 or more of these symbols in a winning combination, that character becomes your new onscreen mascot. The other symbols include two variations of the weights symbol (one with a smaller dumbbell and one without), two variations of the ringmaster’s top hat (one with a whip and one without), and a set of juggling pins.
Why do we have variants, you ask? Well, they allow the variants to contribute towards a winning payline even if they are mixed. However, this will reduce the maximum by 66% for the weights and 75% for the top hat!<br><br>The real highlight of Golden Ticket lies in its Bonus Feature, where the art direction truly shines. Instead of providing a standard gameplay experience, the entire 5×5 grid transforms into a stunning five-level arcade shooting gallery. The wood-like duck, lion, tiger, drum, and balloon shooting targets are enhanced with a sense of depth, creating an immersive experience that the slot could have benefited from having more of.
Special Features
Golden Ticket embraces its eccentric and unconventional visual design and theme, deviating from the norm by offering unique features and bonuses that set it apart from typical slot machines.
Shooting Gallery Bonus Round
In the game Golden Ticket, you may come across a peculiar occurrence where the word BONUS is displayed vertically on the grid behind the falling symbols. Interestingly, this word is not fixed in one position but rather appears randomly, changing its location with each spin. The only way to unlock the Bonus Feature is to reveal the complete word by eliminating the slot symbols that cover it. Once activated, the Bonus Feature grants you 10 Free Spins in a shooting gallery setting. Although the artwork and immersive experience in the shooting gallery are outstanding, it is important to note that you cannot actually shoot or select a target symbol. The shooting gallery serves solely as a free spins bonus game.
Claim a Golden Ticket
The random symbol drop does not include the Wild Golden Ticket symbol. To obtain a Wild, you must land 3 matching symbols vertically or horizontally on the reels. The center symbol will then transform into a Wild, allowing you to have 2 Golden Ticket symbols side by side. However, having more than 3 symbols in a row will cause the Wild to vanish like a regular symbol, resulting in the loss of your Wild. Although having 4 or 5 symbols pays out a larger win, you do not have the ongoing win potential of the Wild symbol. Therefore, you must make careful decisions.
Big Bang Finale
If you haven’t figured it out yet, the ultimate goal of Golden Ticket is to eliminate all symbols from the screen. Each gameplay mechanic aims to achieve this exciting but challenging outcome. The rewarding moment comes in the form of a thrilling round of cascading wins, free spins features, and with luck, a few Wild Golden Tickets. Clearing the grid will grant you a 1000x payout, which, considering the maximum bet of 40.00 per spin, would make this the most incredible circus experience in human history!
Final Verdict on Golden Ticket
The Golden Ticket is a delightful and captivating game to play, with its unique charm and fantastical elements. While it may not offer as much entertainment value as slots like Viking Runecraft, which constantly introduce new and exciting features, it still provides plenty of smaller wins to keep you entertained. Additionally, the occasional Bonus Feature adds to the overall experience. However, some players may find that it lacks the continuous novelty that other slots offer. Nevertheless, the opportunity to win a 1000x your bet by clearing the grid is sure to entice any slot lover and make them eagerly accept the challenge.