The X Files Slot
When it comes to classic sci-fi dramas, they don't come much bigger than The X-Files. The show was a fixture on television screens for nearly 25 years, and even spawned a couple of big-screen adaptations.
The X-Files followed the adventures of two FBI agents exploring unusual and unique cases involving UFOs, alien abductions, and a healthy dose of unexplained paranormal events. Like a lot of popular TV shows, The X-Files was adapted into a slot machine game. Aristocrat developed a land-based slot based on The X-Files, and now the team at Playtech have jumped on board with an online slot variation of their own.
But how does The X-Files video slot compare to the big land-based title? How does the game rank among the best TV-themed video slots? Is the truth out there? Find out with our expert review.
Slick Playtech Slot Action With a Big Theme
Playtech is one of the biggest online casino software developers around. With over 1,000 online slots in Playtech's arsenal, players will find everything from classic AWP games, 5-reel slots with bonuses, and big-brand titles.
Of course, Playtech is no stranger to Hollywood brand tie-ins. Batman Begins and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice are slick online casino adaptations of popular big-screen films. And before Disney pulled the plug on Marvel slots, Playtech also had a hit range of superhero-themed games.
The X-Files is very much based on the early days of the TV classic rather than the more recent outings. Agents Fox "Spooky" Mulder and Dana Scully both make an appearance, but they are 1993 Mulder and Scully rather than the later editions.
The game is played on a very unspooky set of 3x5 reels, and there are 20 paylines available. Coins start at just 0.01 and there is a max bet of 500.00 per spin. The paylines are fixed. Overall, The X-Files is a simple game with few thrills during the base game. Atmospheric music plays over the top as you spin, but there’s no official music or sound effects from the show itself.
Land Multiplier Wilds to Improve Your Payouts
There are nine regular symbols in The X-Files, and of course, Mulder and Scully make an appearance. The regular poker symbols are the familiar low-limit symbols, paying 4-20x (J and Q) and 4-40x (K and A) the line bet. Next come the FBI torch, alien hand, and Mulder & Scully silhouette. These all pay prizes from 5-80x the line bet.
Our favorite FBI agents are the top payers in the game. Both Mulder and Scully pay the same, which is a nice touch. In a lot of games with more than one jackpot character, one usually favors the other. In this slot, three Mulders and Scullys pay 10x, four pay 40x, and five pay 200x.
Also look out for special multiplier wilds. These will substitute for all regular symbols in the game except the scatter symbols. There are four different multipliers, these being 1x, 2x, 3x, or 5x. Wilds will also help you earn real cash. Three wilds will add a 10x prize to your bankroll, while four and five wilds return 40x and 200x respectively.
These wilds are quite slick. They spin beneath the reels in a "rift" to add a little more drama to your spin. It's like watching a reel within a reel during a regular spin. Remember, it's also possible to land multiple wilds on the reels at the same time. You can land a total multiplier worth 25x in a single spin.
Trigger Locking Rift Free Spins for Big Bonus Wins
There is a mysterious bonus feature to trigger in the free X-Files slot machine. And if you are a fan of slots with free spins bonuses, it's a real beauty.
To activate the feature, just land three or more UFO scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. Three scatters will earn you seven free spins, four scatters will get you 10 free spins, and five scatters will trigger 20 free games. In addition, multiplier wild symbols will appear during the games. When these rifts appear, they will attach a multiplier worth 1x to 5x to that active payline.
However, any wilds that appear will lock in place for the duration of the other free spins. This can often lead to the player bagging three or four wild rifts during the course of the bonus. It goes without saying that if you are lucky enough to hit 20 free games, the bonus game can turn out to be very lucrative indeed.
Enjoy the Big Bet and Multipliers of Wild Times
The wild multiplier isn't a new phenomenon in online gambling. In fact, the British developer Barcrest has managed to combine wilds, multipliers, and an exciting Big Bet feature in some of its games.
A classic example of the wild multiplier can be seen in Barcrest's Wild Times video slot. The 27-line slot pays out in each direction with the Any Way Pays feature, and players can hit the Big Bet button to access guaranteed free spins. But the highlight is the wild symbol. When the wild appears on a reel, it will substitute for all regular icons. It also acts as a prize-spinning wheel where the needle lands on a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x.
The Truth s Out There...If You Have the Bankroll
Playtech's newest addition to the branded TV slot is an atmospheric game with some interesting features. It's good to see the original cast on the screen, but it would have been nice to have some actual video footage from the show. There isn't the remotest hint of a UFO, Loch Ness Monster, or Bigfoot lurking on these reels. The "wildest" thing you will see is the wild multiplier for enhanced wins.
You can try this slot for free now or give the game a play for real money. For die-hard fans of The X Files, it's tough to beat. But don't give up on Aristocrat's good land-based version if you can track it down. The truth is out there, but you might end up feeling that this slot is a mystery not worth solving.
