Cosmic Voyager (Thunderkick) Slot Review
Cosmic Voyager: Slot Overview
Thunderkick’s Cosmic Voyager is an enigmatic and visually mesmerizing slot that ventures deep into interstellar mystery with a dash of ancient mythology. Released on January 11, 2021, this title offers a fusion of space-age visuals and “Book of Ra”-style gameplay mechanics, wrapped in a sleek 5×3 layout with 10 paylines. On the surface, it appears to be a simple, highly volatile slot, but behind its galactic theme lies a well-structured gameplay experience that capitalizes on expanding symbols, wild scatters, and the potential for full-screen wins.
At its core, Cosmic Voyager is about risk and reward, with the potential to win up to 5,000x your bet. It may not redefine the genre, but it certainly infuses it with enough cosmic charm to stand out in Thunderkick’s portfolio and appeal to fans of sci-fi and high variance games alike.
Design and Graphics
Cosmic Voyager takes you on a psychedelic space trip through galaxies, glowing nebulae, and floating planets, where science fiction meets metaphysics. The game’s visual signature is dominated by a cosmic mask-like figure that hovers over the reels—presumably the titular “Cosmic Voyager.” He’s a golden, godlike being with an aura of mystery, reminiscent of ancient alien theories involving the pyramids and star alignments.The background art is a swirling cosmos, awash in purples, blues, and dark pinks, giving the game an ethereal quality. Symbol design is particularly creative, blending planetary bodies with geometric solids like pyramids, cubes, and icosahedrons. These symbols shimmer as they spin, and burst with light when they expand or form winning combos.
Thunderkick’s animation work remains polished and clean, with satisfying visual cues during wins and feature triggers. The aesthetic doesn’t overwhelm the player but instead enhances immersion, especially for those who enjoy slots with a hint of the extraterrestrial.
Gameplay Mechanics
Cosmic Voyager follows a 5-reel, 3-row setup with 10 fixed paylines, keeping the base game straightforward but not without intrigue. What sets it apart is its core mechanic: Expanding Symbols.
Here’s how it works:
If a fully stacked regular symbol appears on reel 1, and matching symbols land on adjacent reels, they expand to cover those reels, potentially leading to full-screen wins.
This mechanic is present in both the base game and free spins round, but with more power during the bonus phase.
The reels spin with a decent pace, and while base game wins are generally modest, the expanding symbols can suddenly explode into action with a full-reel payout. There are no cascading wins or other secondary mechanics—this is very much a classic slot with a twist, and it keeps the focus on symbol expansion and combo alignment.
Due to its high volatility, the gameplay can be swingy, but that’s part of the appeal. Wins might not come frequently, but they can be visually and financially satisfying when they do.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack in Cosmic Voyager deserves special praise. It leans into the space exploration theme with ambient tones, subtle synths, and futuristic effects. There’s a dreamlike quality to the audio—neither intrusive nor repetitive—making it suitable for long play sessions without fatigue.
The music subtly ramps up during the free spins round, adding a sense of tension and excitement. Sound effects for wins and feature triggers include celestial chimes and pulsing energy bursts, which align perfectly with the game’s interstellar visuals.
Overall, the sound design contributes strongly to the mood, delivering a calming but engaging experience that enhances the game’s hypnotic aesthetic.
Bonus Features
Despite a relatively simple structure, Cosmic Voyager’s features are potent:Expanding Symbols Mechanic
The main gameplay hook is the Expanding Symbols feature:
In the base game, landing a fully stacked symbol on reel 1 activates the feature.
Matching symbols on reels 2 to 5 then expand to fill their reels, resulting in higher win potential.
This creates the opportunity for full-screen payouts, especially with high-paying symbols.
Free Spins with Enhancements
To trigger the bonus round, players must land 3 or more Cosmic Voyager logo symbols, which function as both wilds and scatters:
3, 4, or 5 scatters grant 10 free spins along with a 2x, 20x, or 200x payout, respectively.
During free spins, mid and high-paying symbols that land fully stacked on reel 1 will expand as in the base game.
However, the difference is that only one symbol is needed to start the expansion, rather than a full-stack, making this feature more frequent and valuable in free spins.
What’s more, free spins can be retriggered indefinitely, adding replay value and tension to every spin. The game’s highest-paying combinations involve lining up five of the gold mask or star symbol, which can yield up to 250x the bet per line.
It’s a streamlined set of features, but their synergy with the slot’s volatility makes every spin feel impactful.
Betting Options and Payouts
Cosmic Voyager is flexible in terms of stake size, making it accessible to a wide range of players:
Minimum bet: €0.10
Maximum bet: €100.00
With a high volatility profile, you can expect longer dry spells but also the potential for huge wins, especially during the free spins feature. The RTP sits at 96.14%, which is slightly above average and adds value for long-term play.
Symbol payouts are divided into three tiers:
Low-value symbols: Five differently colored planetoids.
Mid-value symbols: icosahedron, cube, pyramid.
High-value symbols: Star and gold mask (the latter being the top symbol).
Mid-tier symbols can award 20x–30x the bet for five of a kind, while high-tier symbols range between 100x to 250x the bet for a full line. When you factor in expanding symbols across multiple reels, these payouts can quickly add up.
The theoretical max win is 5,000x your stake, achievable through full-screen wins of high-paying symbols during free spins.
Conclusion
Cosmic Voyager is a cleverly designed slot that successfully combines the visual allure of outer space with proven, engaging gameplay mechanics. While it may not boast an arsenal of features, what it does include is implemented with care and polish. The expanding symbols mechanic, in particular, provides most of the game’s dramatic moments and is highly satisfying when it pays off.
For players who appreciate “Book of Ra”–style slots but want something with a futuristic twist, Cosmic Voyager offers a refreshing take. It maintains Thunderkick’s reputation for sleek, innovative designs and solid math models, delivering a well-balanced mix of simplicity and volatility.
While casual players may find the swings a bit steep, high-variance fans will relish the opportunity for 5,000x wins, all wrapped in a visually hypnotic, intergalactic theme. Cosmic Voyager is a prime example of Thunderkick’s ability to take familiar gameplay ideas and launch them into a unique stylistic orbit.