Sadly not based on the classic spoof gameshow starring Vic and Bob, Shooting Stars is in fact an interstellar themed video slot powered by Novomatic. Available on desktop, tablet and mobile devices, this 5 reel, 10 payline game comes with a special wild symbol that expands whenever it hits as well as awarding a re-spin. Blast off from between 10p and £50 per spin.
Shooting Stars has a space age feel as far as design is concerned- visually, it all looks rather lovely which is not something we usually say about Novomatic video slots. The reels are set against a shimmering, deep space backdrop and include 5 different planet symbols which award between 0.5 and 12 times your total stake.
Next comes the swirling galaxy symbol which pays 2.5, 6 or 12 times your stake if you land 3, 4 or 5 in a line. The most rewarding symbol is the bright orange sun – 3, 4 or 5 of these will get you a payout of 5, 20 or 25 times your total stake.
The luminescent shooting star is the game’s wild – it doesn’t offer any payouts in itself but it does possess some magical properties. Whenever it lands on any of the middle 3 reels, it will expand to fill the entire reel. A new payout is made with the stacked wild in position.
You’ll then be awarded a re-spin with the wilds frozen in place. A new payout is made following the re-spin. If you land another wild, it too will expand with another re-spin awarded. If you manage to fill all 3 central reels with stacked wilds, some very impressive payouts are possible. This is known as the Shooting Star Bonus feature.
The range of features may not be especially large but there’s still plenty of action on offer in Shooting Stars. The expanding wilds plus re-spins come along at regular intervals. Land multiple stacked wilds and the coins can mount very quickly. The overall variance is in the medium range.
Featuring excellent graphics (which are a big improvement on many Novomatic slots) and a sweeping soundtrack, Shooting Stars is a well-designed game. The single feature is a cracker too. Yes, we’d still like to see a Reeves and Mortimer inspired game but for fast paced, space age thrills you won’t go far wrong with this incarnation of Shooting Stars. I also recommend you try Novomatic’s Starburst which is very similar.
