You know what surprised me about Big Time? After throwing a few hundred spins at different bet levels, this slot isn't quite what I expected from WGS. I'd heard it was a classic-style game, but there's more going on here than meets the eye. I've been putting it through its paces for the last couple of weeks, testing everything from €0.20 bets to some bigger €100 spins, and I've got plenty to share about this time-themed adventure.
At first glance, Big Time looks like a pretty standard 3-reel slot. But don't let that fool you – there's a surprising amount of depth here. The clock theme is immediately apparent, with gears and watch faces adorning the reels. What really caught me off guard was how engaging the gameplay became, especially once I triggered some of the special features.
The visual elements in Big Time are a nice blend of classic and modern. The background features intricate clockwork mechanisms, giving a steampunk vibe that I found pretty appealing. The symbols themselves are a mix of traditional fruit machine icons and time-related imagery.
What really stood out to me was the attention to detail in the animations. When you hit a win, the gears in the background start turning, and the whole screen comes alive. It's a small touch, but it really adds to the immersion.
Big Time uses a 3x3 grid with 8 paylines, which initially made me think it would be pretty basic. However, the way wins form is more interesting than I expected. You've got your standard left-to-right combinations, but there are also some diagonal paylines that can lead to surprising wins.
I hit my biggest win of 750x my bet when I landed three Big Time logos across the middle row. It took about 200 spins at €1 per spin to hit that one, but man, was it satisfying when it came through.
The high-value symbols in Big Time are all clock-related. You've got the Big Time logo, which is the highest payer, followed by pocket watches and alarm clocks. The low-value symbols are your classic fruits – cherries, lemons, and so on.
One thing I noticed is that even the lower-paying symbols can lead to decent wins if you hit them on multiple paylines. I had a spin where I landed cherries on all 8 paylines, which paid out a surprising 40x my bet.
The special features in Big Time really spice things up. There's a wild symbol that not only substitutes for other symbols but also applies a 2x multiplier to any win it's part of. I found these hitting fairly regularly, about once every 30 spins or so.
The most exciting feature, though, is the Time Warp bonus. This is triggered when you land three hourglass symbols anywhere on the reels. It took me a while to trigger this – about 150 spins at €5 per spin – but when it hit, it was worth the wait.
The Time Warp bonus is essentially a free spins round with a twist. You get 10 free spins, but here's the kicker – after each spin, one of the reels randomly turns back time, respinning for a chance at better symbols.
My best run in the Time Warp bonus netted me a 250x win. The worst was only about 15x my bet, but even that felt pretty good considering it was all bonus money.
After putting in some serious time with Big Time, I'd say the volatility feels medium to high. You can go through some dry spells – I had a stretch of about 100 spins without anything significant – but when the wins come, they can be substantial.
The RTP is listed at 96.5%, which feels about right based on my experience. I found my bankroll fluctuating quite a bit, but over longer sessions, it tended to hover around where I started.
Based on my testing, I'd recommend starting with lower bets to get a feel for the game. I found €0.50 to €1 per spin to be a good sweet spot for balancing excitement and bankroll preservation.
One strategy I found effective was to increase my bet slightly when I felt like I was due for a bonus. It didn't always work out, but when it did, the payoffs were significantly better.
I tested Big Time on both my iPhone and iPad, and I'm happy to report it ran smoothly on both. The touch controls were responsive, and I didn't experience any lag or crashes.
One minor issue I noticed on my phone was that some of the paytable text was a bit small and hard to read. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of if you're playing on a smaller screen.
The graphics in Big Time are crisp and clear, even on mobile devices. The animations are smooth, particularly when the reels are spinning and during the bonus features.
The soundtrack is where this game really shines, though. The ticking clock sounds and gear-turning effects create a really immersive atmosphere. I usually mute slot games after a while, but I found myself leaving the sound on for Big Time even after hours of play.
Pros:
Cons:
One strategy I found effective was to set win and loss limits. I'd start with a budget of 100x my base bet and play until I either doubled it or lost 50%. This helped me walk away with profits more often than not.
Also, don't underestimate the power of the wild symbols. I had some of my best base game wins when wilds lined up with high-paying symbols.
Compared to other classic-style slots I've played, Big Time offers a bit more depth with its bonus features. It reminds me a bit of NetEnt's Grand Spinn, but with a more engaging theme and slightly higher volatility.
That said, if you're looking for a game with multiple bonus features or a progressive jackpot, you might want to look elsewhere. Big Time keeps things relatively simple, which I personally found refreshing.
I tested Big Time at several online casinos, but had the best experience at [Casino Name]. The game loaded quickly, and I had no issues with payment processing or withdrawals. Their support team was also quick to respond when I had a question about the paytable.
After spending a couple of weeks with Big Time, I can say it's a solid offering from WGS. It's not going to revolutionize the world of online slots, but it offers a well-balanced mix of classic gameplay and modern features.
I'd recommend it to players who enjoy medium to high volatility games and appreciate a well-executed theme. Just be prepared for some ups and downs – this isn't a game for the faint of heart.
How often does the Time Warp bonus trigger?
In my experience, it hit about once every 150-200 spins on average.
Can you re-trigger free spins in the Time Warp bonus?
Unfortunately, no. You get 10 free spins, and that's it.
What's the maximum win possible in Big Time?
The highest single spin win I saw was 750x my bet, but theoretically, it could go higher with perfect conditions in the bonus round.
Is there an autoplay feature?
Yes, you can set up to 100 autospins with various stop conditions.
Does Big Time have a jackpot?
No, there's no progressive or fixed jackpot in this game.