Chicken Cross is a farm-themed online slot developed by UpGaming, a Malta-based game development company that specializes in creating high-quality casino games. This review will delve into every aspect of this fascinating game, covering its theme, design, symbols, payouts, wilds, scatters, bonus features, free spins, RTP, volatility, betting range, max win, gameplay, mobile play, player experience, and overall analysis.
Theme and Design
The Chicken Cross slot takes place on a sunny farm Chicken Cross where chickens roam freely. The game’s background depicts a picturesque countryside with lush green fields and towering hills in the distance. Players are introduced to a cast of colorful characters, including chickens wearing tiny hats and sunglasses, as well as other farm animals like cows and pigs.
The reels are framed by wooden boards adorned with carved patterns reminiscent of traditional folk art. The symbols feature hand-drawn illustrations that bring the theme to life, from simple letter cards (A-K) to various farm-related icons, such as baskets, flowers, eggs, and tractors.
Symbols
The Chicken Cross slot boasts an impressive range of 12 regular symbols divided into four categories:
- Low-paying symbols : Letter cards (A-K), each worth between x0.50 and x2.
- Medium-paying symbols : A basket filled with apples, a flower bouquet, and a single chicken egg, each valued at between x5 and x15.
- High-paying symbols : Three unique farm animals – a cow, a pig, and a horse – worth up to x30.
- Special symbol : The wild symbol is represented by the Chicken Cross logo.
Payouts
Each winning combination in Chicken Cross can range from 1-50 times the player’s total bet for individual regular symbols or combinations of them. High-paying icons pay between x2 and x10, while the top-paying animal icon awards up to x200 on a standard spin.
The special Chicken Cross symbol acts as both a wild and substitute, appearing in one of three reels during free spins (see below).
Wilds
As mentioned earlier, the wild symbol is represented by the game’s logo. However, this function changes under specific conditions:
- In normal gameplay: The Chicken Cross logo only appears on reel 3.
- During Free Spins Mode (FS): The special symbol appears randomly across all three reels and serves as both a substitute for any regular icon to complete winning combinations.
Scatters
The Bonus Scatter is the egg-laying hen. Players can land up to two Scatters anywhere in the game grid, which triggers either 10 or 20 Free Spins Mode (FS), respectively.
Bonus Features and Free Spins
Free Spins are a thrilling feature where players get multiple chances at massive wins without placing additional bets:
- Wilds-only Feature : In this special mode, reels 1-3 become fully wild for each remaining spin – boosting the odds of forming combinations significantly.
- FS multiplier system : Two FS-specific multipliers (x2 or x5) can be applied randomly during Free Spins Mode.
To trigger these rounds, players need to land at least one Bonus Scatter anywhere on reels 1-3. As stated above, two Scatters award either 10 or 20 additional spins based on their positions across the game grid:
- When a single hen lands in an outer position (leftmost and rightmost), 10 FS are triggered.
- Two bonus symbols appearing together in adjacent positions trigger the higher number of Free Spins.
RTP
UpGaming has designed Chicken Cross with a relatively competitive RTP percentage: 96.5% on average across all betting options. While not excessively high, this is above industry averages for games by other developers and will likely attract players seeking a reliable gaming experience.
It’s essential to note that the actual return may vary depending on several factors, such as wagering choices made throughout the game session (see below).
Volatility
UpGaming has intentionally programmed Chicken Cross with medium-low volatility. This choice should appeal to those who prefer balanced payouts and steady returns rather than rare but enormous wins.
In gameplay terms:
- Expect consistent low-frequency payouts from single high-paying symbols.
- Large combinations become more feasible when two or three bonus icons appear together (notably in the high-payout farm animals category).
- During FS, bigger bonuses may occur thanks to randomly applied multipliers.
Betting Range and Max Win
The Chicken Cross slot provides an excellent betting range, accommodating players of all bankroll sizes:
- The minimum bet is 0.1 EUR (or equivalent), while the maximum wager can reach up to 5 EUR per line.
- Given this parameter range, a single payline has been set to generate substantial wins: 20,000x total stake on each spin.
Gamblers will have access to multiple options for placing stakes:
- Automatic betting mode adjusts wagers automatically between minimum and maximum limits as they continue to play without manually modifying settings.
- Individual bets can be configured directly by adjusting values of lines and coin value according to their preferred level of risk-taking.
Next: Exploring gameplay mechanics in depth