Chicken Cross is an online casino slot developed by UpGaming, a relatively lesser-known gaming provider in the industry. While they may not be as well-established as some of the bigger names like NetEnt or Microgaming, UpGaming has managed to carve out a niche for themselves with their unique and often quirky game designs.
As we delve into Chicken Cross, it becomes clear that this slot is no exception to the Chicken Cross UK rule. From its colorful theme to its diverse set of symbols, this game promises an experience like no other. But does it live up to expectations? In this comprehensive review, we’ll take a close look at all aspects of Chicken Cross to determine if it’s worth adding to your gaming rotation.
Theme and Design
The first thing that strikes you when launching Chicken Cross is its lighthearted theme. Set in a farmyard, the game features adorable cartoon-style chickens roaming freely, while various farming tools and equipment sit nestled among them. The graphics are crisp and vibrant, with each element meticulously designed to evoke a sense of fun and whimsy.
The design itself follows a relatively conventional pattern, with 5 reels and 4 rows spinning out across your screen. A bright blue sky serves as the backdrop for this lively farmyard scene, complete with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily by. The color palette is bold but not overbearing, making it easy on the eyes even during extended gaming sessions.
Symbols
As with any slot machine, symbols take center stage in Chicken Cross. While they may appear innocuous at first glance, each one has a role to play in this farm-fresh adventure. Here’s what we found:
- Low-value symbols include playing cards from 10 through Ace (A). These pay out fairly standard amounts for their respective combinations.
- Mid-tier symbols comprise farming tools like scythes and rakes, along with some fresh produce such as carrots and apples. Wins with these symbols can vary but tend to fall within a moderate range.
Payouts
It’s worth noting that payout rates in Chicken Cross follow the typical online slot structure, where higher-paying combinations yield more substantial returns for players. The maximum win potential is capped at 1,000x your total bet for five-of-a-kind wins with high-value symbols (more on this later). Payout multipliers are based on standard mathematical probabilities to ensure fairness and stability.
Wilds
Chicken Cross incorporates a Wild symbol that’s easily identifiable by its stylized chicken logo. Acting as a substitute for all regular paying symbols, the Wild can significantly boost your winning chances when paired with other high-value combinations.
Interestingly, we noticed an absence of specific rules governing Wild behavior during free spins or bonus rounds (more on those in due course). While some players might view this omission as an advantage or disadvantage depending on their strategy, it’s certainly something to consider for enthusiasts looking for clear guidelines.
Scatters
The Scatter symbol is represented by a stylized egg icon. Landing 3 Scatters anywhere across the reels awards you 10 free spins – though no multipliers apply during these rounds unfortunately.
While having a limited number of free games can be disappointing, keep in mind that Chicken Cross offers an additional way to earn bonus spins (discussed later). Nevertheless, we hope for more robust bonus features from UpGaming’s future releases.
Bonus Features
Speaking of which… Chicken Cross boasts a novel take on traditional slot mechanics: the "Cross Bonus" feature. To activate it, land 4 or 5 identical high-value symbols anywhere across the reels within one spin (i.e., outside a combination).
When triggered:
- All winning combinations created by these identical high-value symbols are paid out as separate winnings.
- The game then redistributes any remaining identical high-value symbols back onto the grid. You can retrigger Cross Bonus up to three times.
It’s worth pointing out that this innovative mechanics might make you reconsider your wager amounts due to its strong multiplier potential (see RTP and volatility sections for more on why). Additionally, bonus features tend not to activate frequently enough in Chicken Cross – but this could also be seen as a minor drawback since many may want an actual chance of interacting with it regularly.
Free Spins
As touched upon earlier:
- When three or four Scatter icons land (egg symbols), the player receives ten free spins.
- Unfortunately, bonus multiplier effects during these rounds appear absent due to limitations on using additional Wilds and other gameplay elements. However this limited aspect may benefit from adjustments in future slots.
RTP and Volatility
Chicken Cross exhibits moderate RTP at a calculated 96.2%. For reference:
- Players receive higher returns than what’s generally expected (5-7%) when hitting the big wins; more specifically, if winning five-of-a-kind combinations or multiple times using identical symbols via bonus rounds occur fairly frequently.
The volatility level lies firmly within a Medium-High range (6/10), emphasizing that each win will be significant but somewhat less predictable compared to high-volatility titles where you either hit huge and infrequently or get close with relatively long sessions.
Betting Range
To accommodate users at various skill levels, Chicken Cross offers an adjustable bet range spanning 0.1c (minimum) up to a maximum of £100 per spin – the usual options for UK-facing gaming markets including some other major regulated territories globally like Germany and Canada (where their platforms allow larger stakes).
Please take note: If aiming towards specific max wins or average rewards depending on RTP values with games offering varying house edges (5-15%), make adjustments to suit your risk tolerance before putting money down!
Max Win
Maximum winning amounts are not particularly exciting in Chicken Cross as they top out at 1,000 times the player’s total bet amount for maximum combination combinations between five high-value symbols appearing without overlap and matching same-symbols being paid in separate bonus rounds after activating them. Nevertheless some might still enjoy seeing a substantial return when these relatively long odds occur during actual gameplay rather than theoretical max caps alone.
Gameplay
Here are our thoughts on navigating the slot itself:
- While it lacks any dynamic mechanics (animation/sequences) to further emphasize excitement, Chicken Cross features smooth and intuitive controls that guide your gaming experience.
- Payouts remain somewhat straightforward due to a comprehensive understanding of payouts based purely on actual winning combinations.