John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets: Slot Overview
Pragmatic Play’s fearless explorer, John Hunter, is back on the hunt for hidden treasures, and this time, he’s diving into the secrets of Galileo. While John has been off the radar since John Hunter and the Mayan Gods in 2022, the lure of adventure has proven too strong to resist. Now, he returns as the leading man in John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets—a slot that nods to its predecessors while introducing a few fresh twists.
At first glance, John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets might not make the most dazzling first impression. The reels and symbols have an old-school look, giving the game a slightly dated feel. However, much like archaeology itself, it’s all about brushing away the dust to uncover hidden riches beneath the surface. And with that spirit of adventure in mind, let’s dig deeper into what this slot has to offer.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets: Gameplay & Features
The game unfolds on a classic 5×3 grid with 10 paylines, awarding regular wins on adjacent reels from left to right, while non-adjacent wins are possible via the Mystery symbol feature. Players can place bets ranging from $0.10 to $/€250 per spin, with the option to purchase one of two bonus buy features. At its peak, the RTP reaches 96.5%, whether playing normally or using the bonus buy, and the volatility is high, making for an intense gaming experience.
Leading the paytable is John Hunter himself, paying 100x the bet for a five-symbol combination. Other premium symbols include ink quills, parchment, telescopes, hourglasses, and globes, offering payouts between 15x and 75x the stake for a full line. Lower-value symbols consist of J-A royals, rewarding between 7.5x and 10x for five-of-a-kind.
Interestingly, John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets does not include Wild symbols, meaning there are no substitutions to assist in forming winning combinations.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets: Bonus Features
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets comes packed with exciting features, including full-reel Mystery symbol reveals, a Hold & Win respin mechanic, free spins with a Book-style element, and bonus buys.
Mystery Symbol Feature
When a Mystery symbol lands fully stacked, all rows transform into a random pay symbol or Money symbol. Transformed symbols pay across all reels, even in non-adjacent positions, after standard paylines are calculated. If enough Money symbols are revealed through the Mystery feature, the Respin Feature is triggered.
Respin Feature
The Money symbols appear with values ranging from 1x to 5,000x the bet or may contain a trigger for free spins or super free spins. Landing six or more Money symbols activates the Respin Feature:
- Regular symbols disappear, leaving only Money symbols on the screen.
- Players receive 3 respins, with only blank spaces or additional Money symbols able to land.
- Any newly landed Money symbol resets the respin counter to 3.
- All Money symbols remain fixed in place until the feature ends.
- If all positions are filled, an extra 2,000x bonus is awarded.
- At the end of the feature, all Money symbols are added together for a final payout.
- If a Money symbol containing free spins or super free spins is present, the respective round begins once the respins conclude.
Free Spins Feature
Landing three scatter symbols triggers the free spins round. Before the round begins, a random pay symbol or Money symbol is selected as the Mystery symbol for the duration of the feature.
- If 2 scatters and 1 super scatter land, Super Free Spins are activated instead.
- In Super Free Spins, the Mystery symbol is always a Money symbol, and no gamble option is available.
The level of the free spins round depends on the chosen Mystery symbol:
- Bronze Level: If J-A royals are selected.
- Silver Level: If a quill, parchment, or telescope is chosen.
- Gold Level: If an hourglass, globe, or John Hunter himself is picked.
- Super Level: If the Money symbol is chosen.
Gamble Feature
Before the free spins begin, players can gamble to upgrade the Mystery symbol to a higher-value symbol or a better level. Players can also choose to collect and start the round immediately. Losing the gamble forfeits the free spins round entirely.
Free Spins Mechanics
- Mystery symbols nudge to become fully stacked before revealing their assigned symbol.
- If enough Money symbols appear, the Respin Feature is instantly triggered.
- Scatter symbols are collected in a meter—for every four collected scatters, the Mystery symbol upgrades to the next level, awarding +2 additional free spins.
Feature Buy
Players can purchase free spins from the base game:
- Regular Free Spins – Costs 80x the bet.
- Super Free Spins – Costs 200x the bet.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets: Slot Verdict
Reviewing John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets felt like reuniting with an old classic. At first glance, the game’s visuals appear dated, almost older than its actual release date. Given Pragmatic Play‘s expertise in design, this seems intentional—perhaps a nod to old-school slot players, a tribute to vintage casino aesthetics, or simply an attempt to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Whatever the reason, what initially seemed unimpressive started to make more sense once the paytable was explored and the features were seen in action.
The gameplay mirrors its retro-inspired visuals, packed with familiar mechanics that long-time slot fans will recognize. The Hold & Win respins are as traditional as they come—no wild symbols, no extra gimmicks, just a straightforward chase for Money symbols, culminating in the potential for a bonus 2,000x payout if the entire grid is filled. With an overall win cap of 5,000x the stake, this feature alone provides plenty of high-stakes, nail-biting moments.
On the other side, the full-reel Mystery symbols add a Book of Ra Deluxe-style element, allowing wins from any position, regardless of adjacency. However, John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets isn’t a direct clone of a Book slot—instead, its free spins round brings a unique twist, with symbol upgrades providing added variety and dynamic gameplay shifts.
One highlight is how often the respins feature triggers from Super Free Spins, making it a major draw for bonus hunters. While John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets may not be Pragmatic Play’s most innovative release, its recognizable character, familiar mechanics, and nostalgic appeal make it a solid choice for those who enjoy a classic-style slot with a modern twist.