A Dark Matter is one of the latest slot games to reach the general public. Developed by Slingshot Studios and released in late October 2019, A Dark Matter is a gothic-themed video slot inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Gameplay-wise, it features 5 reels and 5 unique paylines. The twist is that you can form winning combinations in both directions, not just left to right. In this review, we will examine what A Dark Matter has to offer and how it compares to other slots.
| A Dark Matter Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Slingshot Studios |
| Paylines | 5 |
| RTP | 96.18% |
| Minimum Bet | $0.05 |
| Maximum Bet | $50 |
| Wild Symbol | Yes |
| Scatter Symbol | Yes |
| Bonus Features | Free Spins, Stacked Wilds, Wild Reels |
| Jackpot | max win 120,000 coins |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of A Dark Matter Slot
The symbols in A Dark Matter are quite easy to understand. As is usually the case, they are separated into two categories based on their function in the game. Most symbols are basic and exist only to provide rewards for completing a winning combination. The basic symbols are further divided according to their payout. The low-paying symbols include five high cards ranging from Ten to Ace. The Ten symbol pays 50x the line bet for a 5-symbol combination, followed by the Jack and Queen symbols, both of which reward you with 60x for the full sequence. The King symbol provides a payout of 70x, and the Ace pays 80x.
The remaining basic symbols each represent a character and offer significantly better payouts. The Groundskeeper provides 300x the line bet for a 5-symbol combination, whereas the Young Lady pays 400x. The Chief of Police awards 600x the line bet, followed by the Lady of the Manor, which pays 800x. Finally, the Intellectual offers the highest payout in the game, multiplying your line bet by 3,000 when you land five on a payline.
The final two symbols are the Wild and Scatter. The Wild is the game’s logo, and while it does not pay by itself, it substitutes for other symbols on the reels. The Scatter symbol pays 15x for three or more instances and can also trigger free spins under certain conditions.
Bonus Features of A Dark Matter Slot
The primary bonus feature of A Dark Matter is its free-spin round, which you can activate by landing 3 or more Scatters simultaneously. When this occurs, the game awards 12 free spins, and for every additional Scatter that lands, you receive one extra spin. All free spins are played at the bet level of the triggering spin.
You should also consider the different forms the Wild symbol can take. In addition to the regular Wild, A Dark Matter offers two extra varieties. The Stacked Wild can appear on the second and fourth reels during the base game and becomes super stacked during free spins. Invading Wilds, also referred to as a full Wild reel, transform an adjacent reel into Wild symbols. During free spins, an Invading Wild causes the invaded reel to double your winnings.
Our Verdict
When all is said and done, A Dark Matter is certainly interesting thematically, though less so in terms of gameplay. The ability to form winning combinations in both directions is welcome; however, the other features are not particularly unique. That said, the game is still enjoyable, so just do not expect it to offer anything you have not seen before.