The first thing to say about Golden Ticket is that it looks and sounds superb - the reels are set against a fairground backdrop with a ringmaster directing operations. There are no random playing card symbols on show here, just a selection of traditional circus characters including clown, strongman and ring master as well as top hats and whips, juggling clubs and dumbbells. The action plays out to the sound of the fairground with blasts of barrel organs signifying a winner.
Instead of traditional spinning reels and paylines, Golden Ticket features tumbling reels. Symbols fall into play, forming winning combinations when 3 or more of them are sitting next to each other horizontally or vertically. After every successful cascade, the winning symbols will be blasted and disappear from view with the symbols above dropping in their place. There will then be another payout consideration. The tumbles keep on coming as long as there's a winning combination on show.
The base game also comes with a multiplier which starts at 1x. If there's a winning combination after the second tumble it benefits from a 2x multiplier and increases by one with each subsequent cascading win.
You'll notice behind the reels a set of translucent letters that spell out the word BONUS. If you manage to find enough winning combinations from the tumbling reels to reveal all the letter from BONUS you'll trigger the feature.
Once activated, you'll be transported into an old school fairground shooting gallery and given 10 shots (or free spins). Find 5 of the same symbol anywhere amongst the targets and you'll win a prize. The clown's face is the top payer at 35x if you match 10 symbols. Find five or more bonus symbols and you'll win another 10 shots in the shooting gallery.
Triggering the feature round with one BONUS is of course good. What you're really hoping for is clearing the entire screen of symbols. Manage that and a payout of 200 times your total stake awaits.
Golden Ticket offers a fine combination of sleek good looks and quality features - the sound and visuals really are terrific. A slot that's all show with nothing under the bonnet is no slot at all. Thankfully Golden Ticket delivers here too.
There aren't masses of features on show but the tumbling reels mean there's a steady flow of action. Big wins are possible in both the base game and the free spins with some serious payouts on offer if you manage to clear the grid. The overall variance is in the medium range with the RTP standing at an impressive 96.73%.
Golden Ticket promises a performance that we're certainly happy to recommend. It’s not traditional and for that reason it may not be to everyone’s taste. If you want something more traditional, Microgaming’s The Twisted Circus has a similar theme. If you like different, you should also try Eye of the Kraken by Play ‘N Go which is very good.