Released in the summer of 2019, the fantasy-themed game Rise of Merlin is one of the latest video slots by Play’n GO. It features 5 reels, 10 adjustable paylines, expanding symbols, and retriggerable free spins.
The slot tells the story of the legendary wizard Merlin, depicting him alongside his magical orb and his allies: two fire-breathing dragons and a mystical owl. There are no elaborate extra games or the abundance of special features found in many newer Play’n GO slots. Still, the few bonus features offered here can deliver great payouts. Moreover, the graphics in Rise of Merlin are truly stunning, and the soundtrack and mystical atmosphere add instant appeal to the game.
To play for real money, casino patrons need to place a bet: they can activate as many paylines as they wish, adjust the coin value ($0.01–$2.00), and select the number of coins wagered per line (1–5 coins).
| Rise of Merlin Slot Summary | |
|---|---|
| Software Provider | Play’n GO |
| Paylines | 10 |
| RTP | 96.00% |
| Min Bet | $0.01 |
| Max Bet | $100.00 |
| Wild Symbol | Merlin’s magical orb is a Wild symbol, substituting for all regular symbols. |
| Scatter Symbol | The magical orb also functions as a Scatter symbol, awarding a payout wherever it lands on the reels. |
| Bonus Features | Three or more Scatters activate 8 free spins during which one symbol becomes expanding. The Free Spins feature can be retriggered. |
| Jackpot | 5,000x |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of Rise of Merlin Slot
There are several symbols that appear on the semi-transparent reels. Let’s start with those that pay the least: playing card icons from 10s through Aces. To receive a payout, players need to land at least 3 matching symbols on any active payline.
In addition, there are four high-paying symbols: an owl, an ice dragon, a fire dragon, and Merlin himself. Whenever 2 or more identical high-paying images appear on a line, they pay according to the paytable. The 5-symbol Merlin combination is the most lucrative, awarding 5,000 times the bet per line.
Another symbol pays just as much: the magical orb. It functions as a Wild, replacing all other symbols in winning combinations, but it also pays up to 5,000x. If 2 or more orbs land on an active payline, they award 10x to 5,000x the bet per line. That is not all, because Merlin’s orb also works as a Scatter.
This means it pays even when it lands scattered on the reels: if players get 3, 4, or 5 Wild/Scatter orbs anywhere on the screen, they receive 2, 20, or 200 times the total bet. In addition, 3 or more orbs anywhere on the reels activate the Free Spins feature.
Bonus Features of Rise of Merlin Slot
The main bonus in Rise of Merlin is the Free Spins feature. It triggers whenever 3 or more Scatter orbs appear on the reels; when this happens, players receive 8 initial free spins. These spins are played at the same bet level selected in the triggering spin. If 3 or more orbs land scattered on the screen during the round, another 8 free spins are awarded.
Another interesting aspect of the Free Spins feature is the expanding symbol. Once the round starts, one symbol is chosen at random and becomes the expanding symbol for its duration. To trigger the expansion, players need 3 low-paying symbols or 2 high-paying symbols on a spin.
When the symbol expands, it covers the entire reel on which it landed. Furthermore, players can retrigger the Free Spins feature indefinitely as long as Scatters continue to appear. Each time the feature is retriggered, a new symbol becomes expanding until all 9 symbols in the game are active, allowing for maximum wins.
Verdict
Rise of Merlin is a highly volatile video slot with a theoretical RTP of 96%, which is typical for Play’n GO. Players can expect relatively high payouts, but before they hit a five- or six-figure jackpot, they will probably play through a significant portion of their bankroll. Still, the game is highly entertaining, with a fantastic theme and enormous winning potential.