Starquest Slot Review by Big Time Gaming
Released in 2018, Starquest is an innovative online slot from Big Time Gaming (BTG), the masterminds behind the Megaways™ mechanic. Set in a space-themed universe, this slot combines a futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic with innovative mechanics and the potential for big wins. The game introduces the AllWays™ payout system, another one of BTG’s signature features, alongside a variety of exciting bonus features, all wrapped in a visually captivating package.
In this review, we’ll explore everything Starquest has to offer, including its design, gameplay mechanics, bonus features, and more, to help you decide if this slot is worth a spin.
Theme and Design
Starquest is set in a futuristic, space-themed environment with bold, neon-like colors and a cosmic aesthetic. The reels are set against a backdrop of distant galaxies, with stars twinkling and planets moving in the background. The visuals immediately draw you into the sci-fi universe, setting the stage for an intergalactic adventure.
Graphics and Visuals
- Space Setting: The game uses a dark background filled with stars, nebulae, and galaxies. The theme is futuristic and high-tech, with the deep-space setting providing a striking visual contrast against the bright, glowing symbols on the reels.
- Symbols: The symbols consist of precious gemstones of different colors, which represent the lower-paying symbols, as well as space-inspired icons, such as futuristic ships, aliens, and planets. The Starquest logo is the highest-paying symbol, paying out big rewards when you land a combination of them.
- Animations: Starquest offers smooth animations with bright explosive effects whenever a winning combination lands. There are also dynamic animations when the wild symbols and feature triggers come into play. The symbol transformations and cascading effects keep the action flowing and add excitement to the game.
Sound Design
The sound design in Starquest complements the space theme perfectly. The background music features an ambient, futuristic soundtrack that transports you to the heart of a galaxy far, far away. It’s subtle, not too intrusive, and enhances the immersive experience. On top of that, each win triggers satisfying sound effects, and larger payouts come with dramatic spacey tones that add a bit of flair to the action.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Starquest uses the AllWays™ payout system rather than traditional paylines. This mechanic offers 1,024 ways to win, meaning players can land a win on any adjacent reel, regardless of position, as long as the symbols match.
Reel Setup and AllWays™ Payout Mechanic
- Reels: The slot features a standard 6×4 grid, with up to 1,024 ways to win. The AllWays™ mechanic removes the need for paylines, allowing winning combinations to form from left to right, starting from the first reel.
- AllWays™: In Starquest, the AllWays™ system means that each spin can result in a massive number of winning ways, giving players more opportunities to land a winning combination compared to traditional payline-based slots.
- Wild Symbols: The wild symbols can substitute for any other symbol (except the scatter) to form winning combinations. These can appear on all reels and often help in forming larger wins. Wilds are particularly useful in triggering the slot’s free spins feature, which we’ll discuss later.
Betting Range and RTP
- Betting Range: The betting range for Starquest is relatively flexible, catering to both casual players and high rollers. The minimum bet starts at €0.10, and players can wager up to €20 per spin. This range provides a lot of flexibility for different types of players.
- RTP (Return to Player): The RTP for Starquest is 96.5%, which is slightly above the industry average. This ensures that players have a fair chance of receiving a solid payout over time. However, as the game has medium volatility, wins can be somewhat spaced out, with occasional bursts of big payouts.
Bonus Features
While Starquest doesn’t have as many bonus features as some of the other BTG slots, it does include a free spins round, the wild symbol, and a unique symbol upgrade feature. These features contribute to the overall excitement of the game.
Free Spins Feature
The free spins feature in Starquest is triggered by landing 3 scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Once activated, you’ll be awarded 10 free spins, during which the game introduces an exciting symbol upgrade mechanic:
- Symbol Upgrade: When you land a winning combination in the free spins round, a random low-paying symbol will be upgraded to a higher-paying symbol. This increases the potential for big wins as you progress through the free spins.
- Wilds in Free Spins: The wilds become more active during the free spins feature, as they help trigger the symbol upgrade feature and provide greater chances for larger wins.
- Multiplier Effect: Free spins wins are subject to a 2x multiplier, which boosts your earnings during the feature. The combination of upgraded symbols, wilds, and multipliers makes the free spins feature one of the most exciting aspects of Starquest.
Wilds and Re-Spins
The wild symbols are important for triggering both the free spins and the symbol upgrade feature. They can also create multiple winning combinations within a single spin, especially if they land on higher-paying positions. Additionally, the re-spins triggered by wilds allow for additional chances to win.
Payouts and Maximum Win Potential
While Starquest is a medium volatility slot, it can still offer some very satisfying payouts, especially when triggering the free spins feature with upgraded symbols.
- The maximum win in Starquest can be as high as 10,000x your stake, which is a great potential considering its medium volatility.
- The symbol upgrades and the wilds that appear during the free spins round significantly increase the win potential. The 2x multiplier during free spins can result in some large payouts, particularly when combined with upgraded symbols.
Given that Starquest offers 1,024 ways to win, there are many ways to rack up significant payouts, particularly when the symbol upgrade mechanic is in full swing.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- AllWays™ Mechanic: The 1,024 ways to win create an engaging experience and increase the chances of hitting a win on every spin.
- Exciting Free Spins: The symbol upgrade feature during the free spins round is a standout, offering both wilds and multipliers, which increase the potential for massive payouts.
- Solid RTP: With an RTP of 96.5%, Starquest provides a fair chance for players to experience frequent wins.
- Futuristic Design: The space theme, along with the smooth animations and atmospheric soundtrack, create an immersive experience.
- Flexible Betting: The betting range caters to both casual players and high rollers, making it accessible to a wide range of slot enthusiasts.
Weaknesses
- Limited Bonus Features: Starquest doesn’t have a complex array of bonus features compared to other slots from BTG, which might be disappointing for players who prefer variety.
- Medium Volatility: Some players might find the medium volatility to be a bit too conservative, as it doesn’t provide the huge potential wins seen in higher volatility slots. However, this is subjective and could be seen as a positive by those who prefer steadier payouts.
- No Progressive Jackpot: Unlike some other slots, Starquest doesn’t feature a progressive jackpot, which could limit its appeal for players seeking a massive, life-changing win.
Conclusion
Starquest is a solid space-themed slot with big win potential and an exciting free spins feature that utilizes symbol upgrades, wilds, and multipliers. The AllWays™ mechanic ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for wins, and the free spins feature with symbol upgrades adds an extra layer of excitement to the game. While it may not offer as many bonus features as other BTG slots, it provides a highly engaging and rewarding experience for those who enjoy medium volatility slots.
The game’s stellar graphics, futuristic theme, and innovative mechanics make it a unique addition to the Big Time Gaming portfolio. With the potential for 10,000x your stake, Starquest is a great choice for players who enjoy space slots with a bit of flair and big win potential.
Rating: 8.5/10
Starquest is a fun and rewarding slot with a captivating theme and great features. While it might not be as feature-packed as some other slots, it offers plenty of potential for high payouts, especially during the free spins round. If you enjoy AllWays™ mechanics and symbol upgrade features, this is a slot you don’t want to miss!