Cowboys & Aliens
Cowboys & Aliens Slot Review
Playtech invites players into a wild, cinematic, and action-charged world where frontier gunslingers collide with extraterrestrial invaders in Cowboys & Aliens, a video slot inspired by the iconic graphic novel and movie universe. Released as part of Playtech’s lineup of dynamic themed slots, Cowboys & Aliens entered a competitive market of 5-reel games but instantly stood out through its unusual blend of sci-fi chaos and classic Western storytelling.
Whether you enjoy hybrid themes, feature-heavy gameplay, or big multiplier opportunities, Cowboys & Aliens delivers an energetic mix of explosive features, creative visuals, and serious win potential turning every spin into a thrilling showdown between humans and aliens across the dusty frontier.
Theme and Design
Cowboys & Aliens breaks away from traditional Wild West slots and pushes into an exciting crossover setting combining frontier grit with space-age invasion. The game’s visuals lean into comic-book style artwork bold ink outlines, dramatic shading, and action-packed character portraits that bring both the gunslingers and the alien creatures to life. Backgrounds reflect a desolate frontier town overshadowed by extraterrestrial threat, giving the slot a strong cinematic feel.
Premium symbols such as the Cowboy hero, the mysterious Girl, alien monsters, and frontier allies form the backbone of the slot’s identity. The soundtrack adds intensity with Western guitar riffs fused with suspenseful sci-fi tones, creating an atmosphere that feels adventurous, dangerous, and unpredictably fun. Altogether, the artistic direction elevates Cowboys & Aliens from a simple Western game into a thrilling thematic fusion.

Slot Structure
- Reels: 5
- Rows: 3
- Paylines: 9 (fixed)
- Bet Range: 0.01 – 25 credits (multiplied by 9 per spin)
- Max Win: 10,000×
- Special Features: Wilds, Scatters, Alien Weapon Feature, Free Spins, Bonus Battle Game
Cowboys & Aliens uses a traditional 5×3 layout with nine fixed paylines, making every round play at full capacity. While the structure feels classic, the game’s bonus mechanics especially the Alien Weapon shots and free spins that fill symbol areas with wilds create fresh layers of unpredictability. High-value symbols offer impressive multipliers, with the Wild delivering top payouts of up to 10,000×.
How to Play
Cowboys & Aliens keeps the gameplay straightforward while giving players flexible betting options.
1. Adjust Line Bet
- Open the Line Bet menu.
- Use “–” and “+” to choose between 0.01 and 25 credits.
- The amount is multiplied by 9 automatically.
2. Open Paytable
Press Info to view:
- symbol multipliers
- prize features
- Alien Weapon rules
- bonus game overview
- payline diagrams
3. Game Controls
- Spin – starts one round
- Auto Play – runs automatic spins
- Turbo Mode – speeds up reel animations
- No gamble or risk game included
Wins form when 3, 4, or 5 identical symbols land on a payline from left to right.
Symbols and Payouts
Cowboys & Aliens combines character symbols, alien threats, and classic card icons. Multipliers apply to the line bet.
Wild Symbol (“WILD” Inscription)
- Pays: 50×, 200×, 10,000×
- Highest-paying symbol in the game
- Substitutes for most other symbols
High-Paying Symbols
- Cowboy: 20×, 150×, 1000×
- Girl: 15×, 125×, 750×
- Alien Monster: 12×, 75×, 500×
- Indian / Priest: 10×, 50×, 250×
Low-Paying Symbols
- A, K: 5×, 30×, 125×
- Q, J, 10: 2×, 20×, 75×
Premium symbols connect the theme strongly and are especially valuable when combined with wild-generating bonus features.
Bonuses & Special Features
Alien Weapon Feature
Triggered when a pistol lands on Reel 1.
A rotating triangle selects a number from 1 to 4.
The pistol then fires at the middle three reels, turning the selected number of tiles into wild symbols.
(Bonus icons cannot be shot.)
After the blast, wins are evaluated often resulting in high-value payouts.
Free Spins
Triggered when 3 game logo symbols appear anywhere.
- Awards 8 free spins
- Highlighted areas are filled with wilds when spins stop
- Creates strong hit potential
Bonus Battle Game
Triggered when Bonus symbols land on Reels 1 and 5.
Players choose one of three characters who battles alien invaders, awarding instant cash prizes.
RTP & Volatility
RTP: 94%
Volatility: Medium–High
Cowboys & Aliens rewards players who leverage its bonus features, especially wild-generating mechanics and the thematic battle bonus. Larger wins typically occur during free spins or Alien Weapon events.
Mobile Compatibility
Optimized for:
- Android
- iOS
- Windows
The comic-style visuals remain crisp on all screen sizes, and the controls are fully responsive in both portrait and landscape. Smooth performance on all major smartphones ensures an easy, engaging mobile experience.
Gameplay Experience
Cowboys & Aliens offers a fast-paced, feature-packed experience set in a thrilling fusion of Western grit and alien danger. Strong symbol multipliers, dynamic wild shots, and a thematic bonus battle keep gameplay engaging. Standard spins deliver steady pacing, while free spins and weapon features unlock significant win potential. Fans of action-driven slots and unique cross-genre themes will find Cowboys & Aliens especially exciting.
Tips to Play
- Increase Bet Gradually: Raise your stake slowly until a feature triggers.
- Maximize Bonus Value: Free spins and Alien Weapon shots create most large wins.
- Watch for Reel 1 Pistols: They can turn spins into high-payout wild explosions.
- Be Feature-Focused: Bonus events hold the strongest winning potential.
- Manage Bankroll Carefully: Medium–high volatility requires patience.
Cowboys & Aliens – Quick Stats
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Cowboys & Aliens |
| Theme | Wild West, Sci-Fi, Comic-Style |
| Developer | Playtech |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 9 (fixed) |
| Bet Range | 0.01 – 25 credits (per line) |
| Max Win | 10,000× |
| RTP | 94% |
| Volatility | Medium–High |
| Bonus Features | Alien Weapon, Free Spins, Bonus Battle, Scatters, Wilds |
| Mobile-Friendly | Yes |
Cowboys & Aliens Slot Machine
Playtech’s Cowboys & Aliens is a bold, action-filled slot that mixes Western heroics with sci-fi chaos. With its comic-style artwork, high-value wild multipliers, Alien Weapon shots, compelling bonus battle, and strong win potential up to 10,000×, the game delivers a cinematic and highly entertaining slot experience.
Whether you’re drawn to frontier adventures, alien warfare, or classic slots with a twist, Cowboys & Aliens provides a fast-paced, feature-heavy journey into a world where gunslingers and extraterrestrials face off for massive rewards.
Step into Cowboys & Aliens where every spin fires up a new battle between worlds and the chance for extraordinary payouts!