Slingo's Cosmic Clusters Review
With well over 50 different versions of Slingo across multiple slots brand plus a smattering of exclusives like Saucy Slingo at MrQ you might be thinking that surely this format has no where else to go. You can think that but you'd be wrong. Just when you think that the developers of this slots/bingo mash-up can't produce something different then they go and produce something different. The game to watch out for is Slingo's Cosmic Clusters which kind of turns the Slingo experience on it's head. It combines slots, clusters and of course Slingo in a different way to the norm. But is it a game that'll make you want to give it a try?
Slingo's Cosmic Clusters is a space and aliens themed game that is played on a 5x4 slot. The background is a space design whilst colourful aliens populate the grid. One looks like a squidgey pig, another a starry shaped creature and there's a grumpy looking flame critter too. Above the slots area is the famous 5x5 Slingo grid which contains random numbers between 1 and 75. The two grids are kind of linked with some space age piping and valves but at least for the base game the segments operate individually. Unlike other Slingo versions there's no pay table to the left of the game area and there are no balls or spins in view. This is because how Slingo's Cosmic Clusters operates is completely different. Instead of your wager getting you 8, 9, 10 or 11 spins to generate numbers to cross off on your Slingo card, your wager simply gets you one spin of the 5x4 cluster slot. This cluster slot works as others do. If you match 4 or more of the same alien in a connect way then you win. The aliens are removed from the grid and it's repopulated. This continues until there are no more winning clusters.
Cosmic Spins
Occasionally on a spin you'll generate numbers as well as aliens on the cluster grid. If the numbers match those on the Slingo grid then they're marked off. The number is also marked off with a random alien. Your Slingo grid remains constant throughout further plays with the aim to either create Slingo lines or clusters of aliens. Slingo lines generate Cosmic Spins whilst a cluster activates these spins. The minimum number of Cosmic Spins is 1 and the maximum 25 (achieved if you complete all Slingo lines). The Cosmic Spins bonus round changes the 5x4 grid into a 10x4 grid but any numbers on the upper segment that haven't been crossed off are frozen. This means that they can't be removed and hinders your chances of creating clusters. Each spin fills the grid where available with aliens and any clusters result in wins. As with the base game winning clusters are removed, remaining aliens drop down and others drop in to fill spaces. This continues until there are no winning clusters left. Once you've played all your spins the game returns to it's base settings and a new Slingo card is created. Note the card will also change should you opt to change your wager.
Slingo In Reverse
In essence Slingo's Cosmic Clusters is the traditional format but kind of in reverse. In a usual game you wager X on a selected number of spins to try and create winning lines. Then in order to hopefully get more winning lines you might wager on to push your way up the paytable. The amount you have to wager is reflective of your position in the game. With Cosmic Clusters each spin potentially takes you towards completing the Slingo grid. However instead of accumulating a high wager on one turn, you spending the same amount on single turns. As the number of numbers left decreases the more spins you may actually need in order to complete a line, cluster or full house. On a new grid you have more chances of marking off numbers than on a grid which only has one to go. So you may have to spin numerous times to get that last number (if it crops up). Oh one thing we haven't mentioned is that not every spin of the clusters results in numbers appearing and/or being marked off.
Our Verdict
We've had a little try of Cosmic Clusters before it's been launched across UK slots brands and it's good fun. It's easy to think of it as a slot game with an ongoing bingo card element than an actual Slingo game. It definitely makes a change from the norm within this genre. However there are a couple of things that we don't like. Firstly there's no indication of how much you've played to get to a certain stage. On a typical game the total amount wagered (initial wager plus extra spins) is indicated. On Cosmic Clusters you have to keep an eye on your spend. Another annoyance is that you can't "cash out" at any time. You can only get to the Cosmic Spins if you create a cluster or complete the grid. It'd be nice to forgo winning more turns on the bonus round and accepting the spins that you've won to date. Another thing to consider is that just because you win bonus spins there are no guarantees of winning big. You can obviously win on each play of the base game which kind of off sets things, but as mentioned it's worth keeping an eye on your profit/loss with this one.
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