Solstice Celebration Review

A slot from the Konami Gaming Action Stacked Symbols catalogue, Solstice Celebration aims to mark the arrival of summer through its theme. A solstice is an astronomical event which could refer to both the longest and the shortest day on the planet. There are two solstice events, the winter solstice and the summer solstice. Konami opted for a summer-themed game which features bright graphics, fitting symbols, stacked icons and abundant payouts.

Solstice Celebration reels are located in a vast meadow filled with wildflowers and poppies in bloom. You can see mountains in the distance and the entire landscape bathes in warm summer sun rays. It is arguably the perfect setting for a summer solstice-themed video slot.

There are 30 lines to make use of, and all play takes place across 5 columns and 3 rows. The paytable introduces all the symbols in the game. Other than a group of playing card denominations, all the icons are associated with summer.

Nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace won’t fill your pockets, but symbols such as the sunflower, the colourful butterfly, the horse with flowers in its mane and a sparkly diamond will. Players ought to pay special attention to the Wild and the Bonus/Scatter symbol as they are responsible for the most lucrative combinations on the reels.

The big sun symbol is the substitute, replacing any icon from the paytable if need be. A Barbie-looking woman in a golden summery dress is the Bonus symbol and her contribution is two-sided; she provides Scatter wins and the key to unlocking the main bonus feature.

Gameplay

The Solstice Celebration gameplay is equipped with extra bonuses in forms of both random and symbol-triggered features. For one, there is the Konami trademark Action Stacked Symbols feature. This bonus happens randomly. It involves positions on all reels which are framed; when the frame appears, all the positions will get filled with one of the symbols - all with the same symbol. Stacks of matching symbols bring big profits.

The next bonus is the Sparkle Feature. It gets activated when two whole reels get filled up with framed symbols. The nudge gets involved and the player receives a payout of several framed reels of matching symbols.

The Sparkle Feature is important for one other reason, as well. Free spins can only be triggered within the Sparkle round. Depending on how many Bonus symbols initiate free play, the award ranges from 10 to 40 free spins. Any reels with Wilds are nudged during free play so that the entire reel gets covered by the sun symbols.

Solstice Celebration is a pleasing slot to look at, but also a fairly rewarding casino game. The features may be a bit complex at first, but a couple of spins should be enough to get a grip on all the subtleties. Solstice Celebration is playable on desktop computers, Android and Windows devices as well as iPhones and iPad tablets. The return to player percentage is high and it stands at 96.03%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Solstice Celebration?

Solstice Celebration has a return to player (RTP) of 96.03%, just above the industry average of 96%. Konami delivers this payback through its layered bonus system including the Action Stacked Symbols feature, the Sparkle Feature and the free spins round, which can award up to 40 free games.

Can I play Solstice Celebration for real money?

Yes, Solstice Celebration is available as a real money slot at online casinos carrying Konami titles. The game features 30 fixed paylines across a 5x3 grid, and is fully compatible with desktop computers, Android and Windows devices as well as iPhones and iPads.

What is the theme of Solstice Celebration?

Solstice Celebration is a Konami slot themed around the summer solstice. The reels are set in a sun-drenched meadow filled with wildflowers and poppies, with mountains in the distance. Symbols include a sunflower, a butterfly, a flower-adorned horse and a sparkling diamond, all celebrating the warmth and life of midsummer.

What is the Sparkle Feature in Solstice Celebration?

The Sparkle Feature in Solstice Celebration activates when two complete reels are filled with framed Action Stacked Symbols simultaneously. The game nudges the reels to reveal multiple framed reels of matching symbols and pays the resulting combination. The Sparkle Feature is also the only gateway through which the Solstice Celebration free spins round can be triggered.

How do free spins work in Solstice Celebration?

Free spins in Solstice Celebration can only be triggered from within the Sparkle Feature, not directly from the base game. The number of free games awarded ranges from 10 to 40 depending on how many Bonus symbols trigger the round. During free play, any reels containing Wild sun symbols are nudged so the entire reel is covered by Wilds.

What is the Action Stacked Symbols feature in Solstice Celebration?

The Action Stacked Symbols feature in Solstice Celebration is a Konami trademark that triggers randomly. Framed positions appear across the reels and are all simultaneously filled with the same symbol from the paytable, creating large stacks of matching icons. When this feature fills two complete reels it escalates into the Sparkle Feature.