A gaming system includes one or more displays and a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game having a plurality of possible thematic states. The gaming system includes a controller coupled to the one or more displays and the wager input device that is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display a basic portion of the wagering game in a first thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and trigger a secondary event of the wagering game. The controller is operative to cause at least one of the displays to display the secondary event of the wagering game in a second thematic state of the plurality of possible thematic states and, at a conclusion of the secondary event, cause at least one of the displays to display the basic portion of the wagering game in the second thematic state.