Play The Curious Machine Slot Game - Free Bonus & Spins

Theme

A young geeky inventor and the time machine that takes him back in time paint an accurate picture of this game’s theme. Despite the game’s peculiar title, the designer did not spare any gold coins when developing the game’s symbols, icons, gameplay strategy, 3D graphics, sound effects or soundtrack. They all fit together quite nicely like hand-sewn silk gloves.

The scenes are so dramatic and impactful that you sometimes have to pause and decide whether you want to have fun to play slots or just relax and be entertained as if you are watching your favorite TV episode. I opted to do a little of both.

Game Strategy

The play screen is comprised of 30 paylines on a 5-reel grid that sits atop a 3D backdrop which changes depending on your current play activity. The game contains standard features found in most slots, like Wild symbols, Scatter icons, and Bonus Spin symbols.

But it takes many more elements to flesh out the game’s funky time machine theme, such as a city in the future; a trusty assistant to the nerdy inventor in the form of an Autobot; the game’s antagonist who is represented by a cantankerous general; the mandatory clock on the wall (this slot is about a time machine, right?); lots of time machine controls; and the main character, Master Miles Bellhouse in living 3D Technicolor.

The game also contains a Bonus Vortex Wild icon that replaces all other icons to help the player create winning combinations for extra prize coins. If you are going to go back in time you may as well do it to the maximum. Therefore, we also have a Dinosaur, and why not? How else would you be able to prove to your skeptical science colleagues that you actually went back in time?

Picture this inquisition before the local scientific Institute of Horology. “So, Mr. Bellhouse, you posit that you traveled back in time in a machine you designed, is that right? Do you have any proof of your travels, sir? Millhouse signals to the doorkeeper to open the door and as the door slowly screeches open the Dinosaur walks in. Case closed. But I digress. The Dinosaur symbol unlocks the Blast to the Past Bonus Round. More on that later. A third Bonus Symbol is the control panel for the time machine.

Free Play vs Real Money Play

With the theme sufficiently set, we take a look at the various versions of The Curious Machine Slots, starting with the real-money edition. This version can be played online by navigating to any of the BetSoft online casinos. Additionally, the free edition lives on many sites on the web. For the play-for-real-money edition, you’ll have to register at an online portal, make a real money deposit, and pick up your Welcome Bonus, which floats between NZD1,000 and NZD1,500.

Be sure to read the Terms & Conditions before pushing the Spin Button. A well-informed gamer is a happy gamer. You may want to warm up using the free version for a few rounds before risking real money. Try it before you buy it, right? Start the game by first selecting the number of coins you wish to bet on each active payline. Once you’re satisfied with the scope of your bet, press the Spin button to put the reels in spin mode.

Each time you win coins or some other prize, Bellhouse and his Autobot companion jump with joy and over-the-top excitement. Their loyal support is enough to make you really get into the game. For the high rollers and deep pocket gamers, there is a dedicated Max Bet button to allow a sort of cruise control to betting the maximum amount of coins on each of the 30 reels without having to waste time doing the routine task of setting the same bet amount on each reel one by one.

Bonus Rounds

The Rewind feature, the Blast to the Past, and the Travel Through Time are the three Bonus Rounds in The Curious Machine Slots game.The Reel Rewind Bonus Feature is randomly unlocked after a spin that fails to generate a single win of any kind. Think of it as a consolation prize. It simply rewinds the spin and gives you another chance to throw the ball, so to speak. Up next is The Blast to the Past Bonus Round. It is generated when at least 3 Dinosaur icons land anywhere on your screen.

For that lucky happenstance you get up to 3 free spins, plus the multiplier will multiply each of your bets by 5x. The Time Machine Controls are very important because if at least 3 of them land anywhere on the grid, they will spring The Travel through Time mechanism into gear. That alerts Bellhouse and the Autobot that it is time to jump into the time machine and travel through time, thereby escaping from the wicked General.

How far back in time Bell house and the Autobot are able to travel directly affect your earnings. The Bonus coins that you win for activating this feature start with 200 coins and go up to 1,500 coins. I imagine that the moment in time represented by the 1,500 coins figure must be the symbolic pickup spot where the Dinosaur climbs on board the time machine.

Symbols

The Vortex Wild icon functions the same as the Wilds in most poker games. It also plays a critical role in helping the gamer win more coins and get more Bonus Spins. It does that by substituting itself for any other symbol on the screen in an attempt to help players make more coin-generating win combinations. Bringing up the rear is the Double Up tool. This tool allows you to double up your winnings by multiples of 2 as long as you win on each successive spin you take.

If you bet on all 30 available paylines, the game gives you the option of guessing which hand the Autobot is holding the dice. If you guess correctly, your entire wager is doubled. If you guess incorrectly, you are sent back to the main game. Now that’s what I call getting a break. In many slots games that have a Double Up feature, if you guess wrong, you lose all your accumulated coins for that particular bet round! That would really knock you back in time.

How to Play the Slot Curious Machine

There is probably more to learning the mechanics of the Curious Machine slot than would initially appear from reading the theme. However, beyond the unique theme (and the obvious), this is a relatively normal 5x3 slot with 30 pay lines. Most gamers can jump into the action quickly with minimal guidance.

Wins occur by lining up three or more matching symbols on the reels from left to right on an active pay line. The betting mechanism is intuitive and allows casual gamers to use their desired bet size without difficulty.

One of the slot's quieter strengths is its usability. Games can have all of the bonus elements they desire; however, if the initial experience is awkward or difficult to understand, then many gamers lose interest before the feature rounds begin.

To avoid such an issue, the Curious Machine maintains a familiarity with the user throughout the experience. From beginning to end, users will know exactly what to expect from each spin.

The slot's symbols and icons help create a cohesive atmosphere, fitting in with the overall theme and are presented in a manner that makes it possible for users to recognize them easily. The lower-paying symbols are somewhat less recognizable than those paying higher amounts. The importance is the overall uniformity of the reel set. Everything seems to be in harmony.

Betting Options

Users may adjust their stake amount, enable AutoPlay, or opt for a fast-paced gaming session via various betting options without having to navigate through complex menus. Such a configuration allows the user to stay focused on either the reels themselves or the various features and bonuses included within the slot.

Considering this slot contains multiple levels of bonuses and is centered around time travel, it is advantageous to maintain a simple format for controlling the betting mechanisms. Therefore, despite being a time-travel slot with numerous bonus opportunities, maintaining such an approach provides a benefit to users.

The true differentiator in gameplay is not the basic structure of the reels, but instead the manner in which the bonus rounds can disrupt a repetitive cycle of spinning in the standard pay-line slots. Payline slots can often become predictable if nothing ever interrupts the standard routine. In contrast, the Curious Machine slots' Base Game maintains a standard format; yet, the Vortex Wild and Bonus Rounds add sufficient variability to prevent it from feeling monotonous.

Therefore, although the overall setup of this slot is fairly conventional, the actual gameplay experience does not feel uninteresting. As such, this represents a great balance between control and variance for users who require simple control formats, but also wish for some diversity from slots with extensive features and bonus rounds.

RTP/Volatility/Payout Profile

Similar to many visually appealing slots released previously that ultimately failed upon inspection of figures utilized for determining payouts (i.e., RTP), this slot performs adequately relative to others in this category. Consequently, this is one reason why it continues to garner discussion.

While RTP values vary depending upon specific versions provided by casinos, they usually range from mid-95 percent to high-96 percent. This is superior compared to many of BetSoft's previous themed slot games, thus increasing long-term viability. When comparing slots on RTP potential prior to examining other factors, RTP obviously impacts perceived attractiveness by many gamers.

However, while RTP signifies average returns in the long-run, RTP does not ensure what occurs in individual gaming sessions. Users can still achieve favorable or unfavorable sessions independently of RTP. Nevertheless, users will ultimately perceive this slot as more attractive on paper with increased RTP potential; therefore, it stands out among other similar BetSoft-themed slots.

With respect to Volatility, it is generally classified as Medium-Volatility. Thus far, it appears to fit reasonably well as it does not act as a Hit-and-Miss grinder nor does it emulate one of those notoriously slow slots requiring extended periods for features to activate.

Instead, it seeks an equilibrium pace. Consequently, it will suitably accommodate those users who seek balanced frequency and infrequent spikes corresponding with activation of the Bonus Round(s) or Vortex Wild at ideal times.

Regarding Max Win Potential, The Curious Machine slot does not represent one of the behemoths within modern slot markets. Those seeking gigantic multiplier wins may find this slot too low. However, that does not mean this slot cannot be viable for those interested in achieving substantial wins. Rather than emphasizing extreme win potential to legitimize itself as a worthwhile option for consideration for gamers seeking enormous payouts, The Curious Machine slot focuses more on providing a balanced experience with layered features.

Thus, from an operational standpoint and specifically with regards to Numbers/RTP/Volatility Payout Profile, The Curious Machine slot review assessment was largely favorable. The RTP is satisfactory; Volatility is moderate; and Feature Design sufficiently complements Payout Rhythm adequately to keep Sessions Engaging.

Mobile Compatibility / General Performance

The Curious Machine slot is available on Desktop and Mobile platforms, and as expected with older 3D Slots; its structure translates fairly well onto smaller screen sizes.

Not all 3D Slots adapt well onto mobile platforms due to older graphics designs intended primarily for desktop gaming. Unfortunately, this slot performs fairly well without issues associated with mobile gaming.

The 5 x 3 Reel Grid lends itself well to mobile due to its simplicity and lack of cluttering symbols. Allowing for easier viewing on mobile displays. Additionally, Interface Design was created with accessibility as a top priority, allowing users to access all features necessary for Gaming Session completion without excessive menu navigation or searching for hidden functions while attempting to utilize touch-screen functionality.

The Visual Style has maintained acceptable quality on Mobile Platforms; although players accustomed to newer animation styles may notice that The Curious Machine slot's style reflects older generations of High-Production Slot Designs. Such does not detract from the gaming experience; however, it contributes toward the overall impression.

Performance-wise, The Curious Machine Slot remains stable during Mobile Gaming sessions. Animations supporting Theme do not interfere excessively with Gameplay Rhythm; Controls are Simple to Utilize regardless of device (Phone/Tablet); thereby making this Slot compatible for both Short Casual Gaming Sessions as well as Extended Gaming Sessions.

Players utilizing Multiple Devices (Desktop/Mobile) will find no aspect of this Slot broken or compromised; it carries its Identity across Devices; which satisfies requirements for most Players.

Conclusion

I really like this game. It’s not too hot and not too cold. It has some unique features like the Autobot and the Vortex Wild. And I like the family-friendly Double Up feature that doesn’t take all your coins if you failed to guess the correct hand the robot is holding the dice. How nice. Presently, this BetSoft version of The Curious Machine Slots is not quite ready for Prime Time because it is not mobile device-friendly. I guess the game makers are still stuck back in time, somewhere prior to the digital revolution of the 1990s.

FAQ about The Curious Machine slot

What is The Curious Machine slot?

The Curious Machine is a Betsoft video slot built around a time-travel and steampunk theme. It features five reels, 30 paylines, and several themed bonus rounds.

What is the RTP of The Curious Machine slot?

The RTP usually falls in the mid-95% to high-96% range, depending on the version and casino.

Is The Curious Machine a high volatility slot?

No, it is generally considered a medium volatility slot.

What are the main bonus features in The Curious Machine?

The main features include the Vortex Wild, Travel Through Time, Rewind, Blast to the Past, and in some versions a gamble feature.

Can I play The Curious Machine on mobile?

Yes. The slot is compatible with mobile devices as well as desktop play.