John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets (Pragmatic Play) – Slot Review

John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets by Pragmatic Play takes players on an interstellar journey with the iconic adventurer, John Hunter, as he uncovers the cosmic mysteries left behind by Galileo. Blending historical intrigue with celestial exploration, the slot is set against a backdrop of shimmering stars, ancient manuscripts, and astrological instruments, evoking a sense of wonder and discovery. The theme diverges from the typical treasure-hunting adventures seen in previous John Hunter titles, opting instead for a more intellectual and scientific approach while still maintaining the series’ signature action-packed feel.
This slot is the latest addition to the popular John Hunter series, which has taken players across various historical and mythical settings. Previous installments include John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen, which delved into Egyptian riches; John Hunter and the Book of Tut, featuring classic “Book”-style mechanics; John Hunter and the Quest for Bermuda Riches, which explored the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle; and John Hunter and the Mayan Gods, set deep within ancient Mesoamerican temples. Each game follows the fearless explorer as he searches for legendary treasures, making him Pragmatic Play’s answer to Indiana Jones.
With John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets, Pragmatic Play adds a fresh spin to the franchise by incorporating elements of astronomy and scientific discovery, offering a visually stunning and thematically unique experience while retaining the core mechanics fans have come to expect.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot featuring 10 fixed paylines. With a high variance and an RTP of 96.50%, the game offers thrilling potential with a maximum win capped at 5,000x your bet. Players can place wagers ranging from £0.10 to £50 per spin.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets Symbols & Pay Table

The slot includes 14 symbols, categorized into four low-paying symbols (J, Q, K, and A) and six premium symbols (Ink & Feathers, Scrolls, Telescopes, Hourglasses, Globes, and the titular character, John Hunter). Special symbols include a Scatter, Super Scatter, Mystery Symbol, and Money Symbol. The highest-paying symbol is John Hunter himself, offering payouts of 100x for five on a payline.
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets Features & Mechanics
Mystery Symbol Feature
The Mystery Symbol feature adds an element of unpredictability. When a Mystery Symbol lands and covers an entire reel, all positions it occupies transform into a single random symbol or a Money Symbol. The revealed symbols pay out according to their respective paytable values, even on non-adjacent positions. If Money Symbols are revealed and meet the threshold to activate the Respin Feature, this bonus round is triggered immediately.
Respin Feature
When six or more Money Symbols land on the screen, the Respin Feature activates. Each Money Symbol takes on a random predefined value, ranging from 1x to 5,000x the total bet or special values granting access to Free Spins or Super Free Spins. During the feature, all other symbols are removed, leaving only Money Symbols and blanks.
Players are given three respins, and every new Money Symbol that lands resets the respin counter to three. The feature ends when no spins remain or when the grid is filled entirely with Money Symbols. If the grid is filled, an additional prize of 2,000x the total bet is awarded. Any Money Symbols with Free Spins or Super Free Spins values activate their respective features once the Respin Feature concludes.

Free Spins
The Free Spins round is triggered by landing three or more Scatter symbols. Depending on the number of Scatters, players receive:
- 3 Scatters: 8 Free Spins with an initial multiplier of x2.
- 4 Scatters: 10 Free Spins with an initial multiplier of x4.
- 5 Scatters: 12 Free Spins with an initial multiplier of x8.
In Free Spins, a random paying symbol or the Money Symbol is selected as the Mystery Symbol for the round. If the round is triggered by two Scatters and a Super Scatter, it becomes a Super Free Spins round, with the Money Symbol as the guaranteed Mystery Symbol.
Players can gamble their Mystery Symbol or round level to potentially upgrade to higher-value symbols or levels, culminating in the Super Level. During Free Spins, Mystery Symbols nudge to fill entire reels and reveal the selected symbol. Scatters collected during the feature can upgrade the round level from Bronze to Silver, Gold, or Super, each with corresponding Mystery Symbols and two additional spins for every upgrade.
Buy Feature: The Free Spins round can be purchased for 80x the stake, while the Super Free Spins round is available for 200x the stake.
Conclusion
John Hunter and Galileo’s Secrets brings a fresh thematic twist to the long-running John Hunter series, swapping out ancient ruins and lost civilizations for the mysteries of the cosmos. While the shift toward an astronomy-driven adventure adds a unique touch, the core gameplay mechanics remain largely unchanged from previous entries. Pragmatic Play continues to deliver a visually polished and engaging slot, but with so many John Hunter titles following a similar formula, the sense of excitement and innovation is starting to wear thin. Be sure to try out this game on launch and check out our exclusive casino offers.