Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God

Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God: Slot Overview

The intrepid explorer, Cat Wilde, is back for another adventure in a slot with a real mouthful of a name. Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God takes the adventurous lady to Central America to find fortune and glory. It’s not the most original of locations to set a slot, and to be honest, a lack of originality permeates many aspects of the game. As you can see, there is a strong whiff of Gonzo's Quest about the venture – the original more so than the Red Tiger Megaways reboot. Still, Gonzo didn't become a classic for nought, so with Play'n GO's dependably high graphic standard accompanied by an attractive leading lady, expectations were running high.

The connections to NetEnt's classic are apparent the moment the game lights up. Above the 5-reel, 20-payline game area are the familiar progressive multipliers which spring to life when wins hit – larger than before it should be added. A step pyramid looms over a thick verdant rainforest behind the reels, while a jungle rhythm jams in the background. Pay close attention to the sun in the centre of the sky; you'll be hoping the moon comes to blot it out, signifying a shift into free spins.

Since we are dealing with Play'n GO, players can expect a well-built math model, generating an RTP value of 96.22%. This is the default value, of course, so make sure to check the version you plan to fire up as it can be found at lower levels. Bushwhackers should be prepared for medium volatility which can be experienced on any device offering stakes from 20 p/c to $/€100.

Big chunky symbols make up the paytable, divided between low pay 10 to Aces, followed by high pay sundials, keys, skulls, and Cat as the most valuable. Five of a kind wins are worth 6 to 37.5x the bet for premium combinations, though values drop sharply for four of a kind. At least three adjacent symbols from the first reel are needed to form a winning combination. Sun God wilds are handy for this, landing on reels 2, 3, and 4 in the base game to substitute for any symbol except the scatter. They are also worth 100x the bet for five of a kind – the only length of combination they pay out on by the way.

Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God: Slot Features

Gonzo on roids is a pretty accurate description of Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God, and that assessment is a fair one of the features. They start with cascades, lead to progressive multipliers, and both get a boost when free spins trigger.

Starting with cascades, which activate after every win, removing winning symbols so new ones can drop in, potentially leading to more combinations. This mechanic is available in all phases of the game with the cascading effect continuing until no new winners appear.

While this is going on a win multiplier is in play. It starts at x1 for the initial win, then rises through x2, x4, x6 then x10 following consecutive winning cascades. When a sequence ends, the multiplier drops back to x1.

Keep an eye out for the Moon Goddess scatter symbols - 10 free spins are awarded when they appear on reels 1, 3, and 5 simultaneously. The multiplier remains in use in free spins, only this time the top-level becomes x70. Scatters also become wild as well and are collected whenever they land. Collecting 5 scatters awards 5 extra spins, up to a maximum of 40. Also, the win multiplier is upgraded when 5 scatters are collected, though the highest remains x70. A final point is that wilds land on any reel during the bonus round.

Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God: Slot Verdict

As mentioned, expectations were high and the game is fun, but it can also get kind of bogged down and struggle to find the energy to recover. It doesn't stop Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God from being a reliably good looking Play'n GO release that produces a strong set of stats. The gameplay isn't bad either - of course being lifted out of the Gonzo playbook helps. Play'n GO has expanded multipliers which make a huge difference. Yet, despite its many positive points, unless you get it to go off, Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God isn't an all-around exciting game.

The main problem is how slow it can be. It's like the game expects you to provide the energy rather than be a high-octane, or even medium-octane slot that gets you pumped. If it were any more laid back, it'd be lain flat, fast asleep. There's certainly none of Gonzo's amiable antics. In his place, we get Cat, who is easier on the eyes than Gonzo (sorry bud), yet she's such a non-event in this slot as to be virtually absent giving the game an almost generic feel. If Play'n GO had dropped Cat altogether and replaced her symbol with a can of paint, it wouldn't have made any difference. Here, she comes across as someone who has gotten by just fine on their looks so never needed to develop a personality or a sense of humour. It’s as if she thinks her smile is enough to deactivate booby traps in a hidden tomb or make the locals lower their bows.

For a different take on the Gonzo thing, it's worth a look. Potential is up thanks to bigger multipliers and free spins which can go mental to produce significant wins. However, while Cat Wilde in the Eclipse of the Sun God is capable of satisfying moments, and hosts a bonus round that can go nuts, it is also noticeably lacklustre a lot of the time.