Crystal Sun

Slot Review (Play'n GO)

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Crystal Sun - Some Background Information

Originally entitled Starblast, the first version of Crystal Sun was so strikingly similar to Starburst that NetEnt decided to serve Play'n GO a cease and desist order, something we wrote about in a follow-up article. Consequently, Starblast was pulled from the list of scheduled releases and mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Neither NetEnt or Play'n GO have made any official statements regarding the case although we know for a fact that it was due to NetEnt flexing their muscles that Play'n GO decided to back down.

Some 3 weeks later, Starblast has now reappeared under the new name Crystal Sun, and instead of stars, we get planets. Identical in terms of features and mathematical design, only the symbols and the logo has changed. If you're curious about the original version, here's pictures of the main game as well as the free spins feature. We also have a video of Starblast.

Crystal Sun (Play'n GO): Review

crystal sun slot

Crystal Sun is an answer to NetEnt's iconic smash hit Starburst. Released in 2012, Starburst remains one of the most played online slots on the market, in part explained by the fact that it has been the main free spins slot for the majority of casinos. However, as pointed out by one of our readers in the comment section, Starburst is in turn a dead ringer of Novomatic's Power Stars which was released back in 2008, meaning NetEnt can't exactly claim originality.

The fundaments at play here are the same - you got your 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 paylines that pays both ways. The bet level starts at 0.10 and goes all the way up to 100 Eur per spin. It's shipped to the casinos with the default RTP of 96.6% but can be lowered to 94.5% to make up for the expenses involved in operating in regulated markets.

Set in deep space, in the backdrop you'll see interstellar clouds of dust, or Nebulae as they are usually referred to, planets and stars. There's also a Moon Princess-type narrative going on as well, calling out "Double Respin" and other highlights in the game. On the reels, 5 planetary bodies of various colour occupy the majority of the positions. You'll also come across lucky 7's and diamonds, the latter being the most lucrative giving you 16 times your stake for 5 across a full payline. The wild is represented by a star which can appear as a x1, x2, and x3 multiplier wild.

Crystal Sun (Play'n GO): Features

Crystal Sun is a simple game. It's all about the wilds which appear in the three middle reels only. When they hit, the wilds expands to fully cover the reel and a Respin is awarded while the wild reel remains locked in place.

Now, if another wild hits, it too expands and another Respin is played with two wilds locked in position. In total, you can have 3 fully stacked wilds with combined multipliers of up to x9, something that can ultimately result in a max win of 4000 times your stake.

Crystal Sun (Play'n GO): Verdict

Info: we have decided to stick to our original verdict of the game.

We have to say, Play'n GO must have quite some cojones to launch such a blatant copy of Starburst, barely even bothering to change the title. Not that we're lawyers or anything, but if this is not a case of trademark infringement, then what is.

From a moral standpoint, it's undoubtedly questionable even if the industry has a long history of "borrowing" from each other. With that said, most players won't give a flying fudge and though we're a bit reluctant to admit it, Crystal Sun is actually a far better game. In fact, it's everything Starburst should have been. Visually, the NetEnt original has the upper hand but the higher win potential alone makes Crystal Sun quite a lot more appealing to play.

Good

Crystal Sun – a parallel universe?

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