Crystal Sun (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Crystal Sun: Slot Overview 

Play’n GO’s Crystal Sun takes players on a cosmic adventure with a straightforward and familiar slot format. Originally released under the name Starblast, this slot faced an abrupt halt in its release cycle due to its striking resemblance to NetEnt’s Starburst. However, after a quick rebranding and a shift from stars to planets, Crystal Sun made its return, featuring a space-themed slot experience that heavily borrows from one of the most popular slots in the industry. 

The game is built on a 5-reel, 3-row setup and comes with 10 fixed paylines that pay in both directions. The simplicity of its mechanics, combined with high volatility and exciting respin features, make it an appealing choice for both seasoned and new slot players. With an RTP of 96.6% (which can be lowered by casinos to 94.5%), Crystal Sun offers a max win potential of 4,000x the stake, making it a decent slot in terms of payout potential.

Design and Graphics 

As expected from Play’n GO, Crystal Sun delivers a visually pleasing game, even if it doesn’t necessarily break new ground. The background consists of a vast cosmic expanse filled with glowing nebulae and distant planets, immersing players in a deep-space adventure. The design closely mirrors Starburst, with its bright, vibrant colors and smooth animations, but instead of a starry theme, it leans into planetary aesthetics. Symbols on the reels include colorful planetary bodies alongside classic slot symbols like 7s and diamonds. The graphics are sharp, with an energetic glow that makes each spin visually engaging. However, given how familiar this design feels, it doesn’t really introduce anything unique to the slot market.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The gameplay of Crystal Sun is kept deliberately simple, making it easy for players to pick up and enjoy. Wins are formed by landing matching symbols across one of the 10 fixed paylines, which pay both ways, adding extra opportunities to land payouts. 

The most rewarding symbols include the Lucky 7s and Diamonds, with the diamonds paying out 16x the stake for a full line of five symbols. Lower-value symbols include various planetary designs, which contribute to smaller but more frequent payouts. 

The real action in Crystal Sun comes from the Wild Respin Feature, which is triggered when a wild symbol appears on reels 2, 3, or 4. The wild symbol expands, covering the entire reel, and then grants a free respin while remaining locked in place. If another wild lands, it also expands, granting an additional respin. If all three middle reels become fully expanded wilds, the game applies multipliers up to x9, significantly boosting potential winnings.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack of Crystal Sun follows a space-themed, electronic vibe that complements its cosmic setting. The futuristic, synth-heavy music adds an energetic feel to the gameplay without becoming too overwhelming. Sound effects, such as the spinning reels and winning combinations, are crisp and satisfying, creating an immersive audio experience. 

However, much like the visuals, the sound design lacks originality. It does its job well, but players who are familiar with NetEnt’s Starburst might notice the striking resemblance, making it feel somewhat derivative rather than innovative.

Bonus Features 

Unlike many modern Play’n GO slots that pack in numerous bonus features, Crystal Sun focuses on a single core feature: the Expanding Wild Respins. Expanding Wilds & Respins 

Wild symbols only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4. 

When a wild lands, it expands to cover the entire reel. 

A respin is triggered, with the expanded wild locked in place. 

If another wild lands, the process repeats, allowing for up to 3 respins. 

When three expanded wilds are active, multipliers of x2, x3, or x9 are applied to any resulting wins. 

This feature can be highly rewarding but also highly volatile, meaning players may experience long dry spells before hitting big wins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Play’n GO ensures that Crystal Sun is accessible to all types of players with a flexible betting range of 0.10 to 100 per spin. The high volatility means players should be prepared for extended losing streaks before hitting substantial payouts. 

• RTP: 96.6% (can be reduced to 94.5% by some casinos) 

• Max Win: 4,000x the bet 

• Volatility: High 

• Paylines: 10 (both ways) 

With a maximum win of 4,000x the stake, the game provides solid potential rewards. However, the reliance on wild multipliers to reach this figure makes it unlikely that most players will ever experience this kind of payout.

Conclusion 

Crystal Sun is a polished yet unoriginal slot from Play’n GO. It borrows heavily from Starburst, offering a nearly identical gameplay experience with a slight increase in winning potential. While the addition of multipliers makes it more exciting, it still lacks the depth and originality seen in many other Play’n GO releases. 

Pros: 

• Simple and easy-to-understand gameplay 

• High volatility with a max win of 4,000x 

• Expanding wilds with multipliers add excitement 

• Pays both ways for more frequent wins 

Cons: 

• Lacks originality; almost identical to Starburst 

• No significant bonus rounds beyond the Expanding Wild Respins 

• High volatility can lead to long losing streaks 

Overall, Crystal Sun is best suited for players who enjoy fast-paced, straightforward slots with respin mechanics. It doesn’t break any new ground but offers a solid slot experience for those who enjoy classic-style games with a modern twist. If you’re looking for something innovative, this might not be the best choice, but if you love simple yet rewarding gameplay, then Crystal Sun could be worth a spin.