In the world of casino gaming, some slots grip players more than others. It’s not always easy to put a finger on why a particular title is a hit. Some games are a passing phase. They jump on a trend, or they shimmer and sparkle to attract the player’s attention. What’s rarer is a game that can stand the test of time.
With new slots launching every week, there are always new titles bidding for the player’s attention. The real achievement in casino spaces, then, is making a game that players return to time and again. Reactoonz does just that. The alien-themed slot captivated audiences when it first launched and continues to entertain players to this day. What lies behind that success? Let’s find out.
What Is Reactoonz?
If you’re not already familiar with Reactoonz (where have you been?), It’s a 2017 Play’n GO slot that features quirky alien characters. It’s actually a sequel to another slot from Play’n GO, called Energoonz. This version takes place in a parallel universe, where aliens are teleported from the reels, and new ones replace them.
Wins come from clusters of matching aliens in the 7×7 grid. Each win adds energy to the reactor, and when it’s fully charged, Quantum features trigger. Five or more matching symbols in a cluster count as a win. They can be connected horizontally or vertically. Payouts range from 0.10x to 1x the bet for five symbols to 3x to 750x for 15 symbols.
Source: personal screenshot of the game
There are eight regular alien paying symbols, and the ones with two eyes are worth more than the one-eyed aliens. Those are the basic mechanics of the game, and the grid feature is certainly part of the appeal, but there’s a lot more to it.
The Slot’s Popularity
The game’s cult following comes down to a number of factors. It helps that it was a follow-up to the existing Energoonz game. It also comes with several innovative features that make the gameplay engaging. The average RTP and high volatility don’t differ much from other slots released in 2017.
We have to look elsewhere, then, to see what it has in common with the best games. Most players are attracted by the design, especially the color scheme. On top of that, the graphics bring to life the cute aliens, which are key to this slot’s narrative. Those are all just the icing on the cake, which is the variety of triggered and random features that this slot mixes into the gameplay.
As a result, Reactoonz still regularly appears in the ‘popular’ section of many casinos. Players who have reviewed it say they like the dark blue design as it is easier on their eyes. They also like music, as it fits the theme. The cluster grid is also appealing, and many users like the slot’s main Gargantoon feature.
A Loyal Following
The loyal following and the game’s legacy are mostly tied to the fun alien characters. The software developer recognized that a space-themed game is more interesting with memorable characters. On top of that, it went down the friendly and cute route rather than a scary alien adventure. That helps the slot stand out from others in the same category.
Source: personal screenshot of the game
The clever part is that this game draws on people’s fascination with aliens. It builds a whole other world, or galaxy, or universe for players to explore. In that universe, the creatures look different, and the rules are different too. The graphics bring that to life, but it’s the features that really lean into the theme.
Graphic Choices and Features
The graphics help tap into the player’s love of aliens. The shapes and colors connect to a certain nostalgia for other space-themed games, such as Space Invaders. The software developer has added a modern twist, though, that keeps this slot feeling fresh. The animations also take it to the next level, as you see individual aliens yawn, blink, and pull funny faces.
Besides the main grid, there are two meters and a Gargantoon pod on the screen. The first counts the number of cascade wins that occur. The second is the Quantum Leap meter, which adds random symbols after wins on 25 symbols. The meter can queue up to four features, and a fifth leads to the Gargaoon feature.
The Quantum features include implosion, which transforms three to six symbols into wilds and destroys adjacent symbols. Incision cuts a wild symbol into the centre and adds tow diagnol lines of matching random symbols. Demolition destroys all the matching and the one-eyed symbols. Alteration chooses one random one-eyed symbol, and any match turns into another symbol.
The Giantoonz appear as a result of four matching symbols in a square, which form one larger symbol that gives double wins. The Gargantoon is a 3×3 symbol that acts as a wild that can move and divide with each cascade.
A Game Series
The game proved to be so popular that it got a second installment in 2020. The familiar creatures were back, as was the grid, and the graphics got an upgrade, but it doesn’t quite match the special quality of the first Reactoonz game.
Robert Griffith is a content and essay writer. He is collaborating with local magazines and newspapers. Robert is interested in topics such as marketing and history.
