Cygnus 4 (Elk Studios) Slot Demo & Review

As the name suggests, Cygnus 4 is the fourth instalment in Elk Studios‘ Cygnus range of slots. Obviously, demand determines supply, so this latest sequel would not have come around if the previous instalments hadn’t proven popular. The problem with so many sequels is the potential for the series as a whole to become stale. That is unless there are marked upgrades, improvements, or the addition of new mechanics or features that allow the slots to stand out on their own. Often, too much of the same thing gets boring after a while. Well, I guess we’re about to find out if Cygnus 4 has pushed the series forward or is a bit of a backward step. The usual RTP of 94% is slightly ominous, considering the previous titles were not the highest in that regard either, whilst the max win has also dropped to 50,000x from the 100,000x possible in Cygnus 3. Again, Elk Studios has stuck with 6 reels and the base 4 rows configuration that can expand up to 8 to give ways to win ranging from 4,096 to 262,144.

The reduction in the maximum win is a little disappointing, but Hopefully, we’ll discover the bonus features on offer help to offset that drop. The Bonus Wheel on Cygnus 3 is gone, as Cygnus 4 has reverted to a Multiplier tower similar to those found on the first two instalments. However, this time, there are three multiplier levels with 6 steps on each. The higher the level, the bigger the multipliers on the tower. If you reach the highest level and position on the tower, you win the 50,000x max payout. On top of that feature is a free spins bonus, which locks in the multiplier value of the triggering spin. And, of course, the X-iter feature is back, offering several bonus buy options.

If you’re a fan of the previous Cygnus slots, you’re probably spinning away already. However, for those new to the series or those who have yet to notice, you can play the Cygnus 4 slot demo below. Give it a try and make up your own mind on whether it is better than those that have come before it.

Cygnus 4 Slot
ProviderElk Studios
Reels6
Rows8
Paylines262,144
Bonus Rounds1
Bet Range0.20 - 100
VolatilityHigh
Max Win50,000x
Bonus BuyYes
RTP94.00%
Our Rating7.4

Cygnus 4 Casino Bonuses


Cygnus 4 Slot Demo


Cygnus 4 Slot Theme, Stakes, Pays & Symbols

Cygnus 4 Paytable
Cygnus 4 paytable

Like many other aspects of Cygnus 4, the theme is the same as what you’ll find on all three previous releases, with that being the magnificent night sky or, more specifically, the Cygnus constellation of stars. If you’re new to this series of slot games from Elk Studios and want to learn more about the previous slots in this range, you can check out our reviews of Cygnus, Cygnus 2, and Cygnus 3. Of course, via those links, you’ll also find the slot demos of each readily available to play.

The next stop is the paytable, and in this latest instalment, the Sun symbol once again tops the payouts on offer, worth 10x the bet for a winning combination of six. The Sagitarion Lion follows, awarding 0.5x for a completed line, with the Aries Ram next at 0.4x and the Scorpio returning 0.3x for a full line of six. The three low-paying symbols are the Red, Green and Blue Gems, which all share equal payouts of 0.2x bet for a six of a kind win. A wild symbol can also appear in all positions on the reels and will substitute for all regular symbols.

Elk Studios has stuck with its standard staking options on Cygnus 4 that you’ll find across the majority of their game catalogue, with bets ranging from a minimum of €0.20 up to a maximum of €100.00.


Cygnus 4 Slot Base Game

Cygnus 4 Base Game
Cygnus 4 base game

Each new base game spin starts with 4 rows of symbols dropped into the 6 columns, which create 4,096 ways to win. However, whenever you land winning combinations, the number of rows filled with symbols increases to a maximum of 8 and ways to win up to 262,144. You receive symbol wins when 3 or more matching symbols land on successive reels starting from the first reel.


Avalanche Reels

The Avalance feature is a cascading/tumbling reels feature with some differences. Winning symbols disappear as usual, but after each winning combination, an additional row’s worth of symbols will drop in. So, after a first combination win using the 4 rows of symbols, 5 rows of symbols drop into the top of the reels. Symbols also Avalanche to the left rather than simply dropping straight down. If you land enough cascading wins, you can receive drops with 8 rows worth of symbols. The more rows filled, the more ways to win there are:

  • 4 Rows offers 4,096 ways to win
  • 5 Rows offers 15,625 ways to win
  • 6 Rows offers 46,656 ways to win
  • 7 Rows offers 117,649 ways to win
  • 8 Rows offers 262,144 ways to win

Multiplier Symbols

To the left of the reels is a multi-level Multiplier Tower. Each time a multiplier symbol reaches the bottom row or the leftmost reel, the current multiplier value is increased by one step on the tower. The multiplier symbol then transforms into a wild symbol.


Multiplier Levels

There are three multiplier levels on the tower. If a Level Up symbol reaches the bottom row or the leftmost reel, the current level increases by one. Each new level has improved multipliers as per below:

  • Level 1: 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, and 16x.
  • Level 2: 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 24x, and 32x.
  • Level 3: 8x, 16x, 24x, 32x, 48x and a 50,000x max win.

If a single spin results in the unlocking of the third level and reaching the highest part of the tower, you’re awarded the 50,000x max win. However, you’re paid the remaining part of that 50,000x minus what you’ve already won on the spin. The multiplier tower resets after every spin.


Cygnus 4 Slot Bonus Features

Cygnus 4 Free Spins Feature
Cygnus 4 free spins feature

If a scatter symbol is present on the leftmost reel at any time during a spin, you trigger the free spins bonus. This is easier than you might think because symbols avalanche to the left. Plus, if a scatter symbol reaches the bottom of another reel, it is added to the top of the next reel to the left of the following Avalanche.


Free Spins Feature

Once the bonus round is triggered, you receive 7 free spins. The multiplier value and level from that triggering spin carries over into the free spins bonus, and they remain persistent throughout the bonus round. You’ll also receive additional free spins when the bonus symbols reach the leftmost reel.


X-iter

The famous X-iter buy bonus feature makes its return in Cygnus 4, and this time, you have the following options:

  • Bonus Hunt: For 3x your current stake, you can spin with double the chance of triggering the free spins bonus.
  • Spins with Level 3 Multipliers: For 10x your current stake, you can spin the reels with the Level 3 multiplier level unlocked.
  • Multiplier Wilds: For 25x, you can enjoy spins with Multiplier Wild symbols.
  • Free Spins Bonus: You can purchase the free spins bonus round for 100x your current stake.
  • Super Free Spins Bonus: For 500x your current stake, you can purchase the free spins bonus, but this time with Multiplier Wild symbols.

Pros

  • The potential to create some huge multiplier wins.
  • Tons of modifiers, wilds, free spin modes, and multipliers.

Cons

  • 94% is a low RTP.

Cygnus 4 Slot Review Final Thoughts

Cygnus 4 is a great-looking slot game, as we've now come to expect, having experienced the other titles in this popular series. However, it's what's underneath all those fantastic visuals which counts. Fortunately, Cygnus 4 is beautiful inside and out, although it is not all that different from what has come before. Overall, this is a slot that is worth some of your time, but personally, I think Cygnus 2 is the best game in the whole collection, and hopefully, Elk stops here before making a 5th and diluting the franchise any further.

7.4

Good


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