Illogicool (ELK Studios) Slot Review

Illogicool (ELK Studios): Slot Review

Released on February 1, 2022, Illogicool by ELK Studios is a quirky, space-themed slot that boldly ventures into the offbeat side of gaming. Known for pushing creative boundaries, ELK continues its ‘cool’ series—following titles like Tropicool—but this time, players are transported from tropical islands to the cold expanse of outer space. Illogicool fuses sci-fi with humor, mixing CGI characters, cartoonish critters called Troubles, and real-life astronaut avatars in a mashup that’s as strange as it is entertaining. 

Set on a 6×6 grid with 46,656 ways to win, Illogicool stands out with its unique Cool Reel mechanic, cascading wins, and a host of inventive features. Beneath its playful, oddball exterior lies a high-volatility slot offering serious winning potential, capped at a solid 10,000x your stake. With an RTP of 95% and a respectable hit frequency of 24.90%, this game is designed for players who enjoy fast-paced action, unpredictable features, and a healthy dose of humor in their gameplay.

Design and Graphics 

Visually, Illogicool is a vibrant collision of styles. ELK Studios has opted for a bold blend of real-world imagery and cartoon graphics, creating a “Space Jam”-like aesthetic where human astronauts interact with animated critters and neon-lit symbols. The backdrop showcases a sleek spaceship interior, complete with floating chairs and panoramic views of deep space, adding to the futuristic vibe.The reels themselves are filled with a mix of symbols: glowing J-A card ranks, retro computers, ray guns, spaceships, and the two astronaut characters—one male, one female. Hovering above the grid is the signature Cool Reel, a conveyor belt-like feature that feeds special symbols into play, enhancing every spin with surprise elements. 

While the visual concept is playful and engaging, the juxtaposition of real people with cartoon characters might feel slightly jarring to some players. Nevertheless, ELK’s high-quality animations, smooth transitions, and dynamic effects ensure that Illogicool remains visually captivating throughout each session.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, Illogicool operates on a 6×6 grid with an impressive 46,656 ways to win. Wins are triggered by landing matching symbols from left to right on adjacent reels, regardless of row position. The game employs a cascade mechanic, where winning symbols are removed, allowing new symbols—and occasionally feature symbols from the Cool Reel—to fall into place, potentially chaining together multiple wins from a single spin. 

Key gameplay elements include: 

Cascading Wins: Each win clears space for new symbols, keeping the momentum alive. 

Cool Reel: Positioned above the main grid, this feature drops special symbols like Wilds, Locked Wilds, Monster Wilds, and the mischievous Troubles. 

Three Types of Wilds: 

Standard Wild: Substitutes for any regular symbol. 

Locked Wild: Stays on the grid for 3 spins. 

Monster Wild: Expands vertically to cover non-winning symbols when triggered. 

The Troubles are a standout mechanic. These fluffy creatures fall from the Cool Reel and transform symbols beneath them into matching types. If sticky Troubles appear, they spread across adjacent cells, further boosting win potential by creating large clusters of identical symbols. 

This combination of cascading wins, dynamic symbol transformations, and random feature drops ensures that Illogicool delivers an unpredictable and engaging gameplay experience.

Sound and Music 

ELK Studios consistently excels in audio design, and Illogicool is no exception. The soundtrack is an eclectic mix of spacey synths, samples, and Western beats, creating a playful yet adventurous tone that perfectly complements the game’s offbeat theme. The background music feels lighthearted but builds tension during cascades and feature triggers, keeping players immersed. 

Sound effects are crisp and satisfying—each cascade, Trouble activation, or Wild drop is accompanied by quirky audio cues that highlight the game’s humorous side. The playful noises from the Troubles, combined with sci-fi inspired blips and beeps, enhance the fun, making every spin feel lively and interactive. 

Overall, the audio experience in Illogicool reinforces its whimsical nature while maintaining a polished, immersive atmosphere.

Bonus Features 

Cascades Every winning combination removes symbols from the grid. 

New symbols drop down, and special symbols fall from the Cool Reel to activate features. 

Troubles 

Drop from the Cool Reel and transform adjacent symbols into matching types. 

Sticky Troubles spread across the grid, maximizing potential for large wins. 

When Troubles land on Bonus symbols, they upgrade them to Super Bonus Symbols. 

Feature Symbols 

Wilds and Locked Wilds enhance win potential, with Locked Wilds persisting for 3 spins. 

Monster Wilds expand vertically when landing on non-Cool Reel rows. 

Bonus Game 

Landing 3 to 6 Bonus or Super Bonus symbols awards between 10 and 25 free drops. Super Bonus symbols start the round with a win multiplier ranging from x5 to x30, depending on how many Super Bonus symbols are present. During free drops: 

Two new symbols are added to the Cool Reel: 

Extra Drop symbols: Award additional free spins. 

Win Multiplier symbols: Increase the multiplier by +1, +2, or +3. 

X-iter Feature Buy 

For players eager to fast-track the action, ELK’s X-iter offers five buy-in options:Guaranteed Win: 5x bet for a winning round. 

Locked Wilds: 10x bet with at least 3 Locked Wilds. 

Troubles: 25x bet with at least 2 adjacent Troubles. 

Buy Bonus: 100x bet for instant access to the Bonus Game. 

Super Bonus: 500x bet guarantees entry with 3-6 Bonus Symbols, including Super Bonuses with a starting multiplier of at least x10. 

This variety allows players to tailor their experience, whether they prefer chasing natural triggers or diving straight into high-stakes features.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Illogicool accommodates a broad betting range from €0.20 to €100 per spin, making it accessible to both casual players and high-rollers. 

Key statistics include: 

RTP: 95.00% 

Volatility: High 

Hit Frequency: 24.90% 

Max Win: 10,000x your stake 

The payout structure is modest in the base game: 

Low-paying symbols: J-A card ranks, each paying 0.3x for six of a kind. 

Mid-tier symbols: Computers, ray guns, spaceships, paying 0.6x to 1.2x. 

Premium symbols: The astronauts, awarding up to 2x for six in a 1×2 size. 

While individual symbol payouts may seem low, the real potential lies in cascading wins, Trouble expansions, multipliers from the bonus game, and strategic use of the X-iter feature.

Conclusion 

Illogicool is a testament to ELK Studios’ willingness to experiment, blending humor, creativity, and dynamic gameplay into a truly unique slot experience. While its offbeat visuals—mixing real humans with cartoon creatures—might not resonate with everyone, there’s no denying the depth and entertainment value packed into this intergalactic adventure. 

The combination of cascading mechanics, the mischievous Troubles, and a feature-rich Cool Reel ensures that gameplay stays fresh and engaging. The inclusion of three wild types, an exciting bonus game with multipliers, and flexible X-iter options gives players multiple paths to big wins, especially with a respectable 10,000x max win up for grabs. 

However, the 95% RTP and high volatility mean that Illogicool can be a volatile ride, particularly for players chasing bonuses without using the feature buy options. Additionally, the unconventional art style might feel a bit disjointed compared to ELK’s typically cohesive designs. 

In summary, Illogicool is perfect for players who appreciate originality, enjoy playful slot mechanics, and aren’t afraid to embrace a little chaos in pursuit of cosmic rewards. It’s a fun, feature-packed evolution of the ‘cool’ series that stands out in a crowded market—not just for its quirks but for its solid gameplay foundation.