Candy Stars Slot Review
Pragmatic Play continue to demonstrate their knack for delivering mechanically interesting slots, and Candy Stars represents a thoughtful entry into their increasingly diverse portfolio. Released in October 2022, this candy-themed slot presents a distinctive approach to volatility management through a clever multiplier system that keeps wins exciting throughout both base game and bonus rounds.
On first impression, Candy Stars appears modest with its vibrant candy aesthetic and 80s-inspired visual design. However, the game quickly reveals itself to be far more complex than its initial presentation suggests. The sticky multiplier wild mechanic, combined with cascading reels and a rewarding free spins round, creates a compelling experience that grows on players as they discover the depth beneath the surface.
Base Game & Features
Candy Stars operates on a 5-reel, 3-row grid with an additional top horizontal reel, delivering 576 ways to win across the playing area. This configuration provides significantly more win opportunities than traditional payline-based slots, creating a rhythm where winning combinations occur with reasonable frequency despite the game’s very high volatility rating.
The game’s foundation rests on the Cascading Reels mechanic—known as ‘tumble’ in Pragmatic Play terminology—which removes winning symbols and allows new ones to cascade down to fill the gaps. This creates multiple consecutive wins from a single spin, with each cascade triggering the game’s defining feature: the Wild Multiplier system.
Wild Multiplier Progression
The wild symbol is the star of the show in Candy Stars. In the base game, wild symbols start at x1 multiplier and increase by +1 with each cascading tumble, reaching a maximum of x128 multiplier. This means a winning combination that tumbles multiple times can stack multipliers in an exciting progression—x1, x2, x3, continuing upward.
Wild symbols substitute for all other symbols except scatters, allowing them to complete paylines across the grid. The multiplier applies directly to the win value, so a significant win occurring during a high tumble count can result in substantially boosted payouts. The mechanical elegance here is that every cascade creates an opportunity for multiplier advancement, keeping players engaged throughout extended winning sequences.
The Sliding Reel Mechanic
Working in conjunction with the cascading reels, Candy Stars features a Sliding Reel mechanic that adds dynamic movement to the gameplay. This mechanic works with the top horizontal reel to create additional winning opportunities and maintains the continuous action that keeps the base game engaging despite the high volatility environment.
Candy Stars Free Spins
The free spins bonus is where Candy Stars truly distinguishes itself. Triggered by landing 3 diamond scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5, the round awards 8 initial free spins with the possibility of winning 5 additional spins if 3 or more scatters land again during the bonus (totalling up to 13 spins possible).
What makes the free spins exceptional is the enhancement to the multiplier system. A wild symbol is guaranteed on the top sliding reel during every free spin, starting at x2 multiplier and doubling after each cascade rather than increasing by one. This creates a dramatically different progression: x2, x4, x8, x16, x32, x64, x128. This doubling progression is considerably more potent than the base game’s +1 increments, making the bonus round significantly more rewarding when cascades align favourably.
The guaranteed wild on each spin removes the variance frustration of base gameplay, ensuring something meaningful happens every turn during the bonus. Players consistently praise this feature as superior to many competitor offerings, particularly for those seeking rewarding bonus experiences without excessive waiting.
Bonus Buy Feature
For players in non-UK markets, Bonus Buy is available at a cost of 80x the current bet, providing immediate entry to the free spins round. The bonus buy activates the free spins feature with a randomly determined number of triggering scatters (3, 4, or 5), which determines the initial spin count.
One consideration: the bonus buy RTP sits at 96.26% compared to 96.47% for naturally triggered free spins, a modest penalty reflecting the convenience of purchased access. Some players question this value proposition, particularly when natural triggers and cascades could achieve similar or superior outcomes with patience.
Our Honest Verdict
Candy Stars represents a carefully constructed high-volatility offering from Pragmatic Play that rewards players who appreciate mechanical depth over surface aesthetics. With a very high 5 out of 5 volatility rating, this is unequivocally a game for experienced players comfortable with variance—those expecting frequent small wins should look elsewhere.
The standout strength is undeniably the multiplier wild mechanic. The x128 maximum multiplier is realistically achievable through consecutive cascades, particularly during free spins where guaranteed wilds and doubling progression create genuine big win potential. The 5,000x maximum stake win capacity is competitive within Pragmatic Play’s portfolio and feels achievable rather than hollow given the mechanic design.
The tumble cascading mechanic maintains engagement throughout longer play sessions, ensuring that even base game spins between bonuses include action and cascading sequences. The guaranteed wild on each free spin eliminates the frustration that can accompany other volatile bonus rounds, making the feature both generous and psychologically satisfying.
Where Candy Stars falls short is in visual originality. The bright, colourful candy theme is pleasant and works well on mobile devices, but lacks the distinctive personality expected from premium releases. Some find the aesthetic somewhat unimaginative, and the game does share thematic space with several established candy slots like Sweet Bonanza and Sugar Rush. This positioning means Candy Stars risks being overlooked among Pragmatic Play’s extensive catalogue.
Final Recommendation: Candy Stars deserves consideration from volatility-seeking players and those specifically drawn to multiplier-heavy mechanics. The competitive 96.47% RTP, combined with a truly rewarding bonus round, delivers measurable value for the target audience. However, it won’t appeal to casual players seeking entertainment without variance exposure, nor will it satisfy those prioritising thematic innovation. For experienced players comfortable with high-volatility gameplay and seeking genuine big win mechanics, Candy Stars is more than capable—it’s a solid, mechanically sound offering worthy of dedicated sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Candy Stars?
The RTP of Candy Stars is 96.47% (main setting), with variants at 96.26% for bonus buy and 94.31% for lower-setting variants. The competitive 96.47% RTP positions the game well within the premium slot market, competing favourably against industry standards. -
What is the maximum win on Candy Stars?
The maximum win on Candy Stars is 5,000x your stake. At the maximum bet of £100, this equals a potential payout of £500,000. This maximum is achieved through the sticky multiplier wild system that can reach 128x, combined with winning symbol combinations across the 576 ways to win. -
How volatile is Candy Stars?
Candy Stars has very high volatility with a 5 out of 5 rating from Pragmatic Play. This means wins occur less frequently than in low-volatility games, but when they hit, the payouts can be substantial due to the 128x multiplier potential and free spins enhancement. Very high volatility is best suited for experienced players understanding variance. -
Does Candy Stars have free spins?
Yes, Candy Stars features a free spins bonus triggered by landing 3 diamond scatter symbols on reels 1, 3, and 5. Players are awarded 8 initial free spins, with the possibility to earn 5 additional spins if 3 more scatters land during the bonus round (total up to 13 spins possible). The free spins feature guaranteed wilds with doubled multiplier progression. -
Can I buy the Candy Stars bonus?
Yes, Candy Stars offers a bonus buy feature available to players in non-UK markets. Players can purchase direct access to the free spins round for 80x their current bet. The bonus buy RTP is slightly lower at 96.26% compared to 96.47% for naturally triggered free spins, reflecting the convenience of purchased access. -
What are the bonus features in Candy Stars?
Candy Stars features multiplier wilds, cascading reels (tumble mechanics), and free spins. In the base game, wilds start at x1 and increase by +1 with each tumble (up to x128). During free spins, a wild is guaranteed on the top reel each spin, starting at x2 and doubling with each tumble (x2, x4, x8… up to x128). The tumble mechanic removes winning symbols and allows new symbols to cascade for additional wins. -
How many ways to win does Candy Stars have?
Candy Stars features 576 ways to win across a 5-reel, 3-row grid with an additional top horizontal reel. This mechanic provides significantly more opportunities for winning combinations on each spin compared to traditional payline-based slots, allowing for more frequent wins when multiple symbols align. -
What is the minimum and maximum bet on Candy Stars?
Candy Stars allows players to bet from a minimum of £0.20 to a maximum of £100 per spin, providing flexible betting options for players with different budgets. The wide bet range makes the game accessible to both casual players managing smaller stakes and high-stakes players seeking maximum exposure and bigger win potential.
