Gemix by Play’n GO - Online Slot Review

Gemix is a true marvel, not only in its category. Back in 2014, when it was first released, there were only so many cluster slots to compete with, so gaining popularity with such a fresh and rich approach was not a massive challenge. However, even today, this vivid, dazzling slot tops the performance charts of many online casinos.

A unique progression element, based on clearing patterns in the reels' background, is undoubtedly working wonders for player retention. However, the variety of mechanics frequently occurring during gameplay is something to be mentioned. Three worlds, each run by a character with a special power and four random features coming from a magic crystal, are more than enough to be constantly on the edge of a seat in anticipation of big wins.

How To Win In Gemix Slot – Features and Mechanics

First contact with Gemix might be a bit overwhelming, especially to players used to the traditional view of three to five reels. Here we're looking at a 7 x 7 grid with a total of 49 symbols, which need to form clusters (symbols adjacent horizontally or vertically) of at least 5 to form a win. Every winning combination will disappear and make room for another cascade that will fill the blank spots.

It's typical for cascading cluster slots not to have a strong pay table, but even in this area, Gemix mathematicians squeezed out everything they could. The smallest cluster will only pay less than your stake on four low-value symbols. The high-paying ones do feel rewarding, with the top value Star symbol reaching 1000 times your bet if you score a cluster of at least 15!

Regular wins are fun, especially when they hit an extended sequence of cascades, but the real excitement boost comes with the extra features.

World Pattern

You will instantly notice that background under some symbols imitates glass instead of being completely transparent. All those spots will form a pattern that is duplicated on an additional mini-screen. The goal is to score wins on those fields, making them turn orange. Once you mark the entire pattern, you'll earn a star and progress to the next level.

Each world consists of 3 levels. Clearing the pattern for the third time in a world will progress you to the next one. Additionally, you will win the World Bonus. It's a progressive amount that increases along with your wins.

What happens when you clear the last pattern on the third world? The cycle will repeat, and you'll return to the Miner's realm. However, the world counter will not reset, so it will now be world number 4.

World Wilds

Each world is a home to one character that can aid you with their unique power on a non-winning spin.

Miner drops up to 10 Wild symbols in random positions.

Princess picks 2 symbols on the edges of the screen and makes a trail between them turn into Wilds.

Wizard drops up to 8 Sticky Wild symbols in random positions.

Crystal Charge

A magical meter surrounds a crystal that awards random features. Every time you win on at least 20 symbols within one sequence of cascades, it will raffle a powerful effect.

Nova Blast makes one random symbol explode, transforming some of the surrounding symbols into different ones and destroying the others.

Crystal Warp chooses one symbol from the screen. All instances of that symbol will turn into a different one.

Light Beam chooses one symbol from the screen. It will shoot light beams horizontally and vertically. All symbols in the way will turn into different ones.

Chain Lightning chooses two corner symbols and sends a lightning bolt connecting them. All symbols in the way change into either of the corner ones.

Super Charge

When you win on at least 40 symbols within one sequence of cascades (without triggering the charge), the crystal will become supercharged. All wins accumulated within that sequence will then be multiplied by 3!

Gemix Graphics & Audio

Graphical design is the one you'd expect from various social casinos and arcade games like Candy Crush Saga. Everything is vivid, shiny, and sparkling. The softness of the theme is intensified by omnipresent rounded edges and the typical, cartoony appearance of the characters.

Despite multiple elements on the screen, everything is readable and easy to follow. Organizing the view must have been challenging, with so many features and areas to track.

The audio loop in the background is cheerful and relaxing, perfectly complementing the atmosphere of each world. It slightly picks up the tempo every time you score two consecutive wins. The sound effect of landing symbols is subtle and satisfying, like dropping tiny candy into a plastic box.

Gemix On Mobile

Slots with equal numbers of reels and rows handle the transition to mobile view much better than traditional 5x3 ones. However, considering multiple extra parts of the user interface in Gemix, Play'n GO still needed a cautious approach when distributing them around the reels in the portrait variant. They did a good job, but not a perfect one. Having the reels shrunk and moved to the right to accommodate the win history panel doesn't seem like an ideal solution. It is better to prioritize the main playing area, even if it means making other sections slightly smaller.

Final Thoughts

Gemix has become a perfect example of a well-crafted cluster slot. The amount of excitement and anticipation packed into this game feels truly impressive. It's not often that you see a game rewarding you additionally on top of your wins but also being able to give you something extra on an empty spin. Together with the progression element and almost skill-like pattern clearing, it's a great dose of fun. Even though the theme itself may come off as slightly childish, the wins Gemix is capable of delivering are nothing but serious.