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 and 10 adjustable paylines, as well as expanding symbols and re-triggering free spins.
The slot tells the story of the legendary wizard Merlin, showing him beside his magical orb and his allies, two fire-breathing dragons and a mystical owl. There are no elaborate extra games or plenty of special features that we find in many of the newer slots by Play’n GO. Still, the few bonus features that are offered here bring great payouts to players. Moreover, the graphics in Rise of Merlin are really stunning, while the soundtrack and the mystical atmosphere add an instant appeal to the game.
To play for real money, casino patrons need to place a bet – they can activate as many reels 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, bringing a payout wherever it lands on the reels. |
| Bonus Features | 3 or more Scatters activate the 8 free spins where one symbol becomes expanding. The Free Spins Feature can be re-triggered. |
| Jackpot | 5,000x |
Symbols and Winning Combinations of Rise of Merlin Slot
There are several different symbols that appear on the semi-transparent reels. Let’s start from those that pay the least – these are images of playing cards from 10s through Aces. To receive a payout, players need to land at least 3 symbols of the same kind on any of the active paylines.
Along with them, there are also four different high-paying symbols – an owl, an ice dragon, a fire dragon, and Merlin himself, of course. Whenever 2 or more identical high-paying images appear on a line, they pay out according to the paytable. The 5-symbol Merlin combination pays the most – 5,000 times the bet per line.
There is another symbol that pays the same, however, and this is 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 pay 10x to 5,000x the bet per line. But that is not all since Merlin’s orb also works as a Scatter.
This means that it pays even if it lands scattered on the reels – when players get 3, 4, or 5 Wild/Scatter orbs anywhere on the screen, they are paid 2, 20, or 200 times the total bet. Moreover, 3 or more orbs anywhere on the reels activate the Free Spins feature of the game.
Bonus Features of Rise of Merlin Slot
The main bonus feature in Rise of Merlin is the Free Spins Feature. It is triggered whenever 3 or more Scatter orbs appear on the reels and when this happens, players receive 8 initial free spins. They are, of course, played at the same bet level chosen in the previous spin. If 3 or more orbs land scattered on the screen during the feature, another 8 free spins are awarded.
Another interesting thing about the Free Spins Feature is the expanded symbol. Once the free spins are activated, one symbol is chosen at random and it becomes the expanded symbol for the duration of these free spins. However, players need a specific number of these particular symbols to trigger the expansion – 3 low-paying and 2 high-paying symbols.
When the symbol expands, it covers the entire reel where it appeared. Moreover, players can re-trigger the Free Spins Feature indefinitely as long as they get Scatters on the reels. Each time a new feature is re-triggered, a new symbol will become expanding until all 9 symbols in the game expand for maximum wins.
Verdict
Rise of Merlin is a highly volatile video slot with a theoretical RTP of 96%, which is pretty standard for Play’n GO. Players should expect relatively high winnings but before they hit a five or six-figure jackpot, they would probably need to play through a large portion of their bankroll. Still, it is a very entertaining game with a fantastic theme and a huge winning potential.