Crossy Road is a popular mobile game developed by Hipster Whale, where players control characters as they navigate across roads and highways to reach their destination while avoiding obstacles such as cars, trucks, and other hazards. The game’s unique art style and gameplay mechanics have made it a beloved title Crossy Road game among gamers worldwide. In 2020, Yggdrasil Gaming released a slot machine inspired by the Crossy Road experience, which we will be analyzing in this review.
Theme
The theme of the Crossy Road slot is, as expected, based on the original game. The reels are set against a cityscape backdrop with traffic lights, roads, and buildings. The characters from the mobile game also make an appearance, including the iconic chicken character that has become synonymous with the brand. The overall atmosphere is vibrant and colorful, reflecting the playful nature of the original game.
Design
The Crossy Road slot features 5 reels and 3 rows, offering a standard grid layout. However, what sets it apart from other slots is its unique paytable design. Instead of the traditional win lines or ways to win, the slot uses a Cluster Pays system, where winning combinations are formed by landing matching symbols in adjacent positions on adjacent reels. This innovative mechanic adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the gameplay experience.
Symbols
The game’s symbols include a wide range of characters from the mobile game, such as chickens, ducks, sheep, and even cats. Each character has its own unique design and animations, which add to the slot’s immersive nature. In addition to the main symbols, the game also features some high-paying symbols, including a traffic light and a speeding car.
Payouts
The payouts for the Crossy Road slot are relatively standard for a Cluster Pays system. Landing 5 or more matching symbols in adjacent positions on adjacent reels will award a payout, with the highest paying combination being 1,000x the bet. While this may not seem too exciting at first glance, it’s essential to remember that the game offers a high RTP (Return to Player) percentage and is designed to provide frequent wins.
Wilds
The chicken character serves as the wild symbol in Crossy Road, substituting for all other symbols except scatters. The wild can appear on any reel and will help create winning combinations by replacing missing symbols.
Scatters
The traffic light is the game’s scatter symbol, which triggers free spins when 3 or more land anywhere on the reels. When this happens, players are awarded a random number of free spins between 8-16, during which all wins are multiplied by 2x. The scatters also trigger a separate bonus feature called "Road Rush."
Bonus Features
As mentioned earlier, the traffic light scatter symbol triggers a feature called Road Rush when landing on reels 1 and 5 simultaneously. During this feature, players can win additional free spins or cash prizes for reaching specific distances on the road.
Another exciting feature is the Random Wilds bonus, triggered randomly during regular gameplay. This award random wild symbols that are placed on the reels, giving players an increased chance of creating winning combinations.
Free Spins
In addition to the traffic light scatter trigger, which awards 8-16 free spins with a 2x multiplier, there’s also an optional "Buy Free Spins" feature available in some jurisdictions. This allows players to purchase additional free spins for a fixed price, giving them more control over their experience.
RTP
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage of the Crossy Road slot is set at 96.3%, which is above average and reflects the game’s high volatility.
Volatility
Crossy Road has been designed with medium-to-high volatility in mind, offering a mix of smaller wins during regular gameplay and bigger hits during free spins or bonus features. While it may not be suitable for all types of players, those who enjoy riskier games will likely appreciate its dynamics.
Betting Range
The betting range on Crossy Road starts at $0.10 per spin and goes up to a maximum bet of $20 per round. This makes the game accessible to both casual players looking for low-stakes entertainment and high-rollers seeking more substantial wins.
Max Win
While we mentioned earlier that the highest paying combination awards 1,000x the bet, it’s essential to note that there is no jackpot or fixed maximum win amount in place. Instead, the max payout is tied to a specific winning combination of symbols.
Gameplay
Playing Crossy Road is relatively straightforward. Players can adjust their bets and choose from multiple game modes, including Autoplay and manual spins. The slot’s Cluster Pays system ensures that wins are frequent and unpredictable, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay experience.
Mobile Play
As expected, the Crossy Road slot has been optimized for mobile devices, providing a seamless gaming experience on both iOS and Android platforms. Players can enjoy all game features and mechanics without any compromises or lag.
Player Experience
From our analysis, it’s clear that Yggdrasil Gaming aimed to create an immersive experience inspired by the popular mobile game. While some may find the Cluster Pays system unfamiliar at first, we believe it adds a fresh twist on traditional slots and provides players with exciting opportunities for wins. Overall, Crossy Road slot offers an engaging gaming session filled with colorful characters, vibrant graphics, and regular payouts.
Overall Analysis
Crossy Road is not just another inspired-by-some-popular-game game; it has genuinely captured the essence of its mobile counterpart. From its theme to design, gameplay mechanics to features, every aspect reflects a deep understanding of what makes Crossy Road special. We would recommend this slot machine to fans of the original game as well as those who enjoy Cluster Pays or games with medium-to-high volatility.
However, players seeking more substantial rewards might find the 1,000x max payout limit too restrictive compared to other high-paying slots on the market. In conclusion, Crossy Road offers a fun and engaging experience suitable for most slot enthusiasts, but its limitations may prevent it from being one of our top recommendations in terms of sheer value.
