Pros & Cons
Pros - High RTP – 96.58% places it above average, giving you better long-term prospects.
- Expanding Symbols—This feature can lead to substantial wins during free spins and can also retrigger, affording you greater chances to win.
- Win potential – At 5,000x your stake, the top reward in Rise of Merlin might make you believe the game was enchanted.
- Wide Betting Range—This makes the game suitable for you, regardless of whether you are a low-stakes casual player or a high-roller.
- Quality Graphics – The visuals and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the magical theme effectively.
Cons - Base game wins are scarce – The game’s high volatility means you’ll need patience and a bigger bankroll.
- Bonus Frequency – Free spins can be challenging to trigger.
Rise of Merlin Bonus Codes
If we have bonus codes specifically for Rise of Merlin, you’ll find them listed here. If not, we’ll provide bonuses for similar magical-themed slots that you can enjoy.
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Play Rise of Merlin For Free
How to Play Rise of Merlin
- Review the Paytable: You can find it below. Familiarise yourself with symbol values and payline structures to learn which symbols offer the best payouts and which symbols can help you claim bonus rewards.
- Set the Coin Value: Adjust your bet from €0.10 to €100 per spin.
- Understand the Paylines: All paylines in Rise of Merline pay right to left, starting from the first reel. All paylines are fixed, simplifying your betting strategy.
- Spin the Reels: Use the spin button or set up autoplay for continuous spins. The Autoplay button can be found to the right of the spin button. You can choose between 10, 20, 50, 75 and 100 autospins.
- Manage Budget: Set and stick to a budget to ensure responsible gambling.
- Look out for Scatters: Three or more scatter symbols trigger the free spins bonus.
- Enjoy Expanding Symbols: Watch for the special expanding symbol during free spins to boost your chances of winning.
Winning Combinations
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind |
|---|
| Wild/Scatter | 5,000x |
| Merlin 10x | 5,000x |
| Red Dragon | 1,600x |
| Blue Dragon | 600x |
| Owl | 600x |
| A | 120x |
| K | 120x |
| Q | 80x |
| J | 80x |
| 10 | 80x |
The Crystal Ball symbol acts as both the wild, substituting for all other symbols, and the scatter, triggering the Free Spins feature when three or more land anywhere on the reels.
Courtney’s Verdict on Base Game
Rise of Merlin’s base game is a high-volatility adventure that will test your patience and bankroll.
After playing the game for several hours, I can confirm that even though it boasts an impressive maximum win potential of 5,000 times your stake, it’s not easy to claim.
During my extensive playtime, I found the base game to be a grind, with small wins few and far between.
The high-paying symbols, especially Merlin himself, are elusive, and even when they do land, they rarely connect for a significant payout. The lower-value card symbols make up the bulk of your wins, but usually, they aren’t even enough to offset your stake.
The base game is essentially a means to an end – a way to bide your time and preserve your bankroll while you wait for the real action to unfold in the Free Spins round.
Rise of Merlin General Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Software Provider | PlayNGo |
| Date Released | June 2019 |
| Slot Type | Video Slot |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes |
| Available in Demo-Mode | Yes |
| Progressive Jackpot | No |
| Autoplay | Yes |
| RTP | 96.58% |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Hit Frequency | N/A |
| Minimum Bet | €0.01 |
| Maximum Bet | €100 |
| Max Win Potential | 5,000x |
| Max Jackpot | N/A |
| In-Game Free Spins | Yes |
| Wild Symbols | Yes |
| Random Multipliers | No |
| Scatter Symbols | Yes |
| Sticky Symbols | No |
| Number of Bonus Rounds | 1 (Free Spins) |
Rise of Merlin Game Mechanics
Courtney’s Verdict on RTP
The Rise of Merlin’s RTP of 96.6% is indeed a strong point, placing it just above the industry average. This higher RTP means that, theoretically, you’ll get more back from your wagers over an extended period of time.
But don’t forget that RTP is a long-term average calculated over millions of spins. In my sessions, I experienced both hot and cold streaks. And the high volatility of this slot won’t help you, as it amplifies these streaks.
The higher-than-average RTP of Rise of Merlin won’t guarantee profitable sessions every time you play, but it will improve your overall chances.
Volatility
| Criteria | Volatility Data |
|---|
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Hit Frequency | N/A |
| Volatility Ranking | High |
Courtney’s Verdict on Volatility
If you aren’t keen on taking significant risks, no amount of Merlin’s magic will help you in this slot.
The high volatility in the Rise of Merlin means that this game will best suit you if you have a healthy bankroll and don’t mind taking big risks.
Games with this variance may have impressive rewards, but you need to spend a fair amount of time spinning the reels before you are likely to claim them.
Be prepared for plenty of dead spins and smaller payouts between the big hits. The volatility level of Rise of Merlin is about chasing that elusive bonus round to find where the real magic happens.
This variance won’t be ideal if you are new to slots or a more conservative player seeking a steady drip of smaller wins.
MaxWin Potential
| Criteria | Jackpot Data |
|---|
| Minimum Bet | €0.01 |
| Maximum Bet | €100.00 |
| Max Win Potential | 5,000x |
| Max Jackpot | None |
Courtney’s Verdict on Max Win Potential
The max win potential of 5,000x your stake in Rise of Merlin sounds attractive. Who wouldn’t want to win €50,000?
Sadly, there are a few things that make this maximum win a little less than exemplary.
First off, this will never meet progressive jackpot levels. Next up, this can only be claimed after entering the free spins bonus round.
Finally, even when all these aspects are met, the game’s high volatility makes it unlikely that you will get anywhere near this payoff without spending substantial time spinning the reels.
That said, the extremely generous paytable can still result in substantial cash prizes for all high-paying symbols, especially when playing at higher stakes. Even matching two owls or three queens will reward you with a gratifying 5x your bet.
Game Features
| Criteria | Availability |
|---|
| In-Game Free Spins | Yes |
| Wild Symbols | Yes |
| Random Multipliers | No |
| Scatter Symbols | Yes |
| Sticky Symbols | No |
| Number of Bonus Rounds | 1 (Free Spins) |
Courtney’s Verdict on Features
At first glance, I felt that the features of Rise of Merlin seemed light, but just like the great mage himself, I learnt there was much more to uncover.
Wave your wand, and you’ll see that the game’s features are where you can unlock its maximum winning potential.
Throw in the chance to add expanding symbols during free spins, which can be retriggered, and you might just start to believe Merlin himself has placed a spell on the reels.
Bonus Rounds
Free Spins with Expanding Symbol
The free spins bonus in Rise of Merlin is triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols anywhere on the reels—no need to place them across paylines.
At the start, you’ll receive eight free spins, which can be retriggered if you are lucky enough to find another set of scatters on your reels.
From the very start of your Free Spins, Merlin will enchant a random symbol to expand across the reels for the duration of your Free Spins.
If you haven’t figured out how Rise of Merlin can reach its top reward of 5,000x your stake, this is where the sorcery happens.
You’ll need to land the expanding symbol on multiple reels until you see a screen full of matching symbols. This fully expanded grid of top-paying Merlin symbols would grant the game’s maximum win.
Theme
Rise of Merlin weaves a lovely spell by taking you into a realm of sorcery.
The legendary Merlin takes centre stage as the highest-paying symbol of the game. His piercing blue eyes and somewhat hipster appearance add a modern twist to the Arthurian legend. Although, truth be told, I missed his conical hat.
The reels will unfold on an ancient scroll as you take your first spin. In the background, ethereal music fills the air, taking you to the ancient realm of Camelot.
PlayNGo has brought this theme to life, with magical characters like wise owls, majestic dragons, and the all-powerful crystal ball gracing the reels as symbols.
While the Arthurian theme isn’t novel to online slots, Rise of Merlin’s execution is undeniably charming.
I’d wager that the game’s atmosphere will appeal to both fantasy enthusiasts and casual slot players seeking a touch of magic in their gaming experience.
Graphics & Design
When you think of Merlin, I’m pretty sure that magic is the first thing that comes to mind.
Play’nGO plays on this theme through its exquisite graphic design. Symbols are intricately designed, with a special focus on the mesmerising crystal ball scatter.
The mesmerising background, with its room of ancient pillars and rising magical glitter, recalls the legend of the round table.
The design elements all work together to reinforce the magical theme.
Mobile Experience
As a game designed only a few years ago, Rise of Merlin was likely conceived as a mobile slot game. This becomes very clear when you open the game on any mobile device.
I found that it performed well regardless of where I played it. The game is fully compatible with iOS and Android and works smoothly on smartphones and tablets.
The user interface has been well-adapted for touchscreens, with buttons sized appropriately for finger taps.
Graphics quality is maintained on smaller screens, and I didn’t notice any significant lag or loading issues.
The game’s relatively simple layout translates well to mobile, making it easy to play on the go.
Slots Similar to Rise of Merlin
Book of Dead
Book of Dead, another popular Play'n GO slot, shares several key similarities with Rise of Merlin. Both games feature a 5x3 layout with ten paylines and utilise the exciting expanding symbol mechanic during the free spins round.
The main difference lies in the theme - while Rise of Merlin takes you on a magical journey with the legendary wizard, Book of Dead immerses you in the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. If you enjoy the gameplay of Rise of Merlin but fancy a change of scenery, Book of Dead is a perfect choice.
Legacy of Dead
Legacy of Dead is Play'n GO's latest addition to their successful 'Book of' series. Like Rise of Merlin, it offers an immersive theme, this time focusing on the enigmatic world of Ancient Egyptian pharaohs.
The game boasts stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack that will transport you to the heart of a mysterious tomb. Legacy of Dead also features the popular expanding symbol mechanic during its free spins round, but with an added twist - it has the same retrigger function as Rise of Merlin, allowing you to expand more symbols with each retrigger potentially.
Legacy of Dead is worth exploring if you're seeking a game with similar mechanics to Rise of Merlin but with higher volatility for even more significant potential wins.
Reactoonz
For players looking for a magical slot experience that breaks away from traditional reels, Reactoonz by Play'n GO is a perfect choice. This innovative game features a 7x7 grid filled with adorable alien creatures. Instead of paylines, wins are formed by clustering symbols together.
Reactoonz is packed with features like Quantum Leap, Gargantoon, and Instability, which can lead to massive chain reactions and huge payouts.
While playing the game differs significantly from Rise of Merlin, Reactoonz shares the same high-quality graphics, engaging animations, and immersive soundtrack that Play'n GO is known for. If you're in the mood for something different but equally enchanting, give Reactoonz a spin.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Rise of Merlin | Book of Dead | Legacy of Dead | Reactoonz |
|---|
| Software Provider | Play’n GO | Play’n GO | Play’n GO | Play’n GO |
| RTP | 96.58% | 96.21% | 96.58% | 96.51% |
| Volatility | High | High | Very High | High |
| Min/Max Bet | £0.10/£100 | £0.01/£100 | £0.10/£100 | £0.20/£100 |
| Max Win Potential | 5,000x | 5,000x | 5,000x | 4,570x |
| Number of Paylines | 10 | 10 | 10 | Cluster Pays |
| Key Features | Expanding Symbols, Gamble Feature | Expanding Symbols, Gamble Feature | Expanding Symbols, Symbol Upgrade, Retriggers | Quantum Features, Gargantoon, Fluctometer |
| Bonus Rounds | Free Spins | Free Spins | Free Spins | Gargantoon Feature |
| Mobile Compatibility | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theme | Arthurian Magic | Ancient Egypt | Ancient Egypt | Alien Creatures |
While all four games share the high volatility that can lead to massive wins, Rise of Merlin and Legacy of Dead stand out with their higher RTP of 96.58%.
Legacy of Dead takes the volatility to an even higher level, making it an excellent choice for natural risk-takers.
Book of Dead is your best bet if you are looking for games similar to Rise of Merlin in terms of game mechanics. Both games offer the excitement of expanding symbols during free spins.
Reactoonz is the most unique game of the four, with its grid-based cluster-pays mechanics and innovative quantum features. It’s a great option for players seeking a fresh, engaging gaming experience.
Ultimately, your choice between these games will depend on your preference regarding theme, volatility level, and features.
Rise of Merlin offers a perfect balance of an enchanting theme, high volatility, and straightforward yet exciting features, making it a solid choice for a wide range of players.
Key Takeaways
- The base game can be a little boring, but at least the prospect of free spins helps to keep excitement levels high. If you aren’t feeling brave enough for the quest ahead, this game might not be for you.
- As a high-volatility slot, Rise of Merlin offers the potential for wins up to 5,000x your stake. Free Spins and expanding symbols offer never-ending retriggering possibilities. But the high variance means you’ll need patience and a decent bankroll.
- The enchanting Arthurian theme and ethereal soundtrack deliver a spellbinding experience that might draw you in but beware if you aren’t keen to put in the time for the biggest rewards.