They say that in space no one can hear you scream, but does that go for screams of joy when you win a jackpot? It’s easy to find out, as sci-fi is a really popular genre with slot manufacturers. There are loads of slots set in space or themed around classic sci-fi TV shows and movies. If they sound like your cup of tea – or whatever the sci-fi equivalent is – you’ll want to read on and get the rundown on our top five sci-fi slot machines.
Battlestar Galactica
There have been not one but two Battlestar Galactica TV shows. This funky little slot from Microgaming is based on the more modern series and features its characters on the reels. There are five of those reels, along with no fewer than 243 ways to win.
The Battlestar Galactica base game has three different game modes, called Normal, Run and Fight. Each of those modes boast their own bonus features which can be randomly triggered. One of the most interesting is the Ion Storm feature, where all of the reels can go wild and up to 15 free spins can be triggered.
The free spins are really worth a player’s while, thanks to their excellent 3x multiplier. That element helps Battlestar Galactica to its very decent theoretical RTP percentage of 96.62%.
Transformers: Battle for Cybertron
Paying homage to another Sci-Fi franchise that has spanned generations, the Transformers: Battle for Cybertron slot is themed around the modern movies and not the original TV show. The IGT manufactured slot has five reels that work in a freefall style and offers 40 ways to win.
Great sound effects and music help to give the slot a real cinematic feel. That’s enhanced further by the inclusion of favourite characters from the film. Optimus Prime, Megatron and others feature as the slot’s symbols.
As well as those character symbols, Transformers: Battle for Cybertron there are scatters and wilds to spice up gameplay. According to where you play, the slot has an RTP percentage of between 92.56% and 96.41%.
Terminator 2
‘I’ll Be Back’ is exactly what you’ll be saying every time you’re forced to stop playing this superb slot. Based on the hugely popular Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, this Microgaming title has been a hit with players ever since it was launched in the wake of the film.
All the main characters from the film boast their own symbols. Great graphics and sound make players feel like they’re really doing battle with the T-1000. The base game takes place across five reels with 243 ways to win.
When free spins are triggered that becomes a mighty 1,024 ways to win, as a new row is added to the reels. Other bonus features are included, too, including ‘T-800 Vision’ which sets all high value symbols to pay mystery prizes.
Star Trek: Against All Odds
It’s a slot, Jim, but not as we know it. Star Trek: Against All Odds is another of IGT’s sci-fi titles. It was released after the first movie of the newly rebooted Star Trek franchise in 2009. Chris Pine’s Kirk, Zachary Quinto’s Spock and all the other reimagined characters have their own symbols on the five reels.
720 ways to win give players really exciting gameplay, as does the inclusion of a wild and two different scatters. The wild becomes even more handy after the Energizing Wilds Feature is triggered. That feature sees anywhere from two to five wilds appearing randomly on the centre reels.
The Enterprise bonus round is sure to be a hit with all Trekkies, too. Triggered by the appearance of Enterprise scatters, it gives players a chance to destroy Romulan missiles for cash prizes.
Aliens
Taking its inspiration from the Ridley Scott film franchise, Aliens is arguably NetEnt’s very best sci-fi title. Offering a unique combination of an arcade game and a slot, the base game of Aliens features five reels and 15 paylines.
Gameplay in the base game is enhanced by great music and snippets from the movies’ soundtracks. It’s also added to by the presence of three separate game levels which players can work through.
Those are ‘The Search’, ‘The Encounter’ and ‘The Hive’, and all offer the chance for added fun and extra wins. Thanks to the combination of those extra features and some pretty tasty payouts in the base game, Aliens boasts an RTP percentage of 96.4%.
