Extra Stars Review: A Dull and Uninspired Slot Experience

Extra Stars Review A Dull and Uninspired Slot Experience

Theme and Storyline

Extra Stars is a slot that seems caught between two worlds, and unfortunately, it never quite finds its footing. It follows in the footsteps of classic fruit machines, featuring familiar symbols like melons, cherries, and sevens, but it doesn’t lean into the minimalist aesthetic of traditional fruit machines nor does it adopt the complexity and excitement of modern video slots. This odd in-between position makes the theme feel a bit out of place. Instead of standing out, it blends into the sea of similar fruit-themed slots.

While the theme might evoke nostalgia for some, it doesn’t bring anything fresh or exciting to the table. The lack of innovation here is apparent, and it feels as though the developers were trying to cater to a broad audience but ended up with a game that doesn’t appeal strongly to anyone.

Graphics, Sounds, and Animations

The visuals in Extra Stars are solid but incredibly uninspiring. The background is patterned in a simple, unassuming way, and the symbols are typical of what you’d expect from a fruit machine, with no real flair or creativity added. Everything looks clean enough, but it doesn’t capture the imagination. It’s a design that you’ve seen countless times before, with little to differentiate it from the many other slots in the market.

The animations and sounds follow suit. The game doesn’t do much to wow you with fluid motion or immersive sound effects. The music is forgettable, and the animations, while functional, don’t bring anything exciting to the gameplay. For a slot that could have used a bit more personality to stand out, it’s disappointing that it leans so heavily on the generic. If you’ve played other EGT slots, you’ll likely recognize the style here, as it doesn’t stray far from the developer’s usual approach.

Gameplay

Extra Stars uses a classic 5×3 reel setup with 10 win lines. Players can adjust the number of win lines in play, choosing between one, three, five, seven, or ten lines, offering some flexibility. However, the overall gameplay feels a bit stagnant. There’s no major innovation or unique feature to keep players engaged for long stretches.

The gamble feature is one attempt at introducing excitement, allowing players to increase their risk for a chance at bigger rewards, but it doesn’t make up for the game’s overall lack of depth. The volatility is medium, meaning that while there is some potential for decent wins, it’s not high enough to excite players who enjoy high-risk slots.

While the game does offer a randomly triggered jackpot system and Wild respins, the absence of a full-fledged bonus round or free spins is a significant letdown. These features could have added some variety to the gameplay, but the lack of them means that Extra Stars can feel repetitive and unexciting after a few spins.

Wilds, Bonuses, and Free Spins

The Wild symbol in Extra Stars substitutes for all other symbols and expands to fill the reel when it lands, triggering a free respin with the Wilds locked in place. However, Wilds only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, which can make them feel somewhat limited and less impactful than in other slots where Wilds appear more frequently.

The jackpot feature is one of the more interesting aspects of Extra Stars. There are four progressive jackpots, each associated with a suit of cards. When the jackpot feature is triggered, players are dealt 12 cards and must match three suits to win the corresponding jackpot. It’s a unique spin on the jackpot feature, but ultimately, it doesn’t do enough to make the game feel like it offers anything more than what’s already available elsewhere.

Bet Sizes, RTP, and Variance

The RTP of Extra Stars sits at 95.78%, which is a bit below the industry average of 96%. This makes it a less appealing option for players seeking better returns on their spins. The bet sizes are relatively modest, ranging from $/£/€0.10 to $/£/€20 per spin, which is fairly standard for most slots.

With a medium volatility rating, the game doesn’t suit players who prefer higher-risk, high-reward slots. It sits in a middle ground that doesn’t offer much excitement for risk-seekers or consistent payouts for those who prefer lower volatility.

Conclusion

Extra Stars has the makings of a solid slot but ultimately falls short in too many areas. The theme is unoriginal, the graphics and sounds are bland, and the gameplay feels stagnant. The low RTP and medium volatility make it a poor choice for those hoping to maximize their chances of winning, and the lack of meaningful bonus features makes the game feel shallow.

For players looking for a more exciting and rewarding slot experience, Extra Stars doesn’t deliver. There are plenty of other games out there that offer more in terms of features, innovation, and potential rewards. Unfortunately, Extra Stars doesn’t rise above the average, and we can’t recommend it to players looking for something special.

Read: 3 Genie Wishes Review: A Familiar, Yet Magical Experience

By Clae

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