Cygnus 5 Online

Cygnus 5 is the fifth installment from ELK Studios set in the universe of a mysterious British corporation, guardians of the universe’s secrets. This time, these esotericists are preparing to cross interstellar portals to seize control of the past, present, and future. Released in January 2025, the game arrives almost a year after the fourth installment. New features include an increased number of Free Drops symbols, the introduction of the new Prism bonus symbol, and the Meteor Strike feature. The cascading mechanic remains, and the maximum win can reach up to 50,000 times the stake.

Unlike classic slot machines, Cygnus 5 features an original game grid with 6 reels and 4 rows of symbols, arranged in a staggered pattern for a unique visual effect. There are no traditional paylines here: instead, players have 4,096 ways to win. Combinations are formed from left to right on adjacent reels, starting with the leftmost reel, and require at least 3 identical symbols. Key game features include Free Drops, multipliers that increase with the appearance of new symbols, and a super game that incorporates additional Wilds.

Game symbols and gameplay

The Cygnus 5 game interface consists of a 6×4 grid with 4,096 ways to win. Its unique design evokes a honeycomb structure, and upon a win or the activation of the cascading mechanic, the symbols fall and roll like real stones before settling into new positions. A minimum winning combination requires three identical symbols, provided they appear on three adjacent reels, starting with the leftmost reel. The game features a total of three low-value symbols, four high-value symbols, and four bonus symbols. These bonus symbols do not generate direct wins but trigger special features of the slot machine.

Minimum bet: $0.20 per spin; maximum bet: $100. The player can also use the X-iter menu and select enhanced bets: x3 — triples the chances of activating bonus features, x10 — guarantees the appearance of the Meteors feature, x25 — adds Prism symbols to each spin, x100 — directly triggers the classic bonus game, x500 — activates Super Spins.

Features and bonuses

In Cygnus 5, 4 bonus symbols with unique functions are available:

• Multipliers — increase any winnings when winning combinations appear on the playing field at the same time as them.
• Free Drops — trigger the super game with classic spins or Super Spins, guaranteeing extra winnings.
• Prism — activates as soon as it reaches the bottom of the grid and transforms all the symbols in a row into identical symbols.
• Wild — substitutes for any standard symbol to form winning combinations.

The game’s best bonus feature is Meteor Strike. This bonus can activate randomly in classic mode and is always triggered during Super Spins. When activated, several standard symbols on the grid are replaced by bonus symbols, which then trigger their special effects.

RTP and Volatility

Cygnus 5 doesn’t boast the highest Return to Player (RTP) rate—94%. This figure is typical of ELK Studios slots. While it offers good odds compared to land-based machines, which generally have even lower RTPs, it remains lower than some competing games. The machine’s volatility is medium to high, ensuring a dynamic payout pattern. Players can therefore experience regular wins of small to moderate amounts, while also enjoying streaks without a win while waiting for a larger jackpot. When bonus purchases are made, the volatility automatically increases to a high level.

Conclusion

One of ELK Studios’ best slots is undoubtedly Cygnus 5. This game boasts an original theme, an unusual design, and well-thought-out bonus features. Unlike previous versions, the provider has removed all unnecessary elements and retained only the best bonuses: Wilds, Multipliers, and the Super Game. They’ve also added Meteor Strike, so the bonus features trigger more frequently. This makes this online slot appealing, despite a relatively low RTP and a high risk level due to medium to high volatility and significant payout variability.

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