Release the Kraken Megaways Demo
Release the Kraken Megaways Slot Review
Pragmatic Play’s ‘Release the Kraken’ series meets the Megaways mechanic, in Release the Kraken Megaways!
Two years have passed since we tangled with the legendary sea monster in Release the Kraken 2, but will the Megaways mechanic hold its own against this almighty beast?
Unlike the wait between the first and second instalments, Pragmatic Play wastes no time expanding the series. This time, we’re teaming up with Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic in hopes of retrieving long-lost treasure from the clutches of the Kraken.
Will all our efforts be in vain? Let’s play on and find out!
Base Game & Features
Release the Kraken Megaways is a 6-reel Video Slot with up to 117,649 ways to win in a single spin. The design takes a promising turn, switching out the underwater backdrop from previous titles in favour of a shipwreck on the beach, rough seas, and cloudy skies.
As with most Pragmatic titles, players can choose from many betting options, starting from £.€0.20 per spin, up to a maximum bet size of £.€240 per spin.
Wins occur when 3-6 identical symbols (or 2+ high-paying symbols) land from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel. Sea creatures make up High-paying symbols, with the highest-paying producing wins of 7.5x your bet for a 6-line winning sequence.
Wilds substitute for all symbols except Scatters and Mystery symbols, appearing only on reels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Although a Megaways title, there is no Cascade feature or additional Sliding reel. However, there is an option for Autoplay and Turbo Mode for players outside the UK.
Release the Kraken Megaways has a theoretical RTP of 96.08%, a High Volatility rating, and a max win cap of 10,000x your bet. Other statistics include lower RTP modules of 95.07% and 94.07%.
Mystery Symbols
Special Bomb symbols appear as Mystery symbols within the base game. When in view, Mystery symbols will reveal the same High or Low-paying symbols to either create or enhance winning combinations.
Wild Respins
Landing 3 or more Wild symbols in the base game enters players into a Wild Respins feature. During this time, Wild symbols will roam freely across the reels, stopping in random positions.
Any additional Wilds that land during this time will award an additional Respin, causing all Wilds to roam once again. The Respin feature ends when no additional Wilds appear in view.
Guaranteed Win
Randomly, when a base game spin results in ‘no win’, the symbols in view will change to a winning configuration, awarding a minimum payout of 10x your bet.
Ante Bet
Players can activate the Ante Bet feature for an additional 25% of their current bet. Once active, your chances of triggering Free Spins are naturally higher.
Bonus Buy
- Free Spins Option 1: Triggers Free Spins with 3 Scatters (100x your bet)
- Free Spins Option 2: Triggers Free Spins with 4, 5, or 6 Scatters (150x your bet)
Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 Scatters in the base game awards 6 Free Spins. Before the round begins, you will enter a Pick Phase to reveal upgrades for the Free Spins round. The number of picks is equal to the amount of triggering Scatters.
Opened Chests will reveal one of the following modifiers:
- An additional +1, +2, +3, or +4 Free Spins
- Additional roaming wilds
- A multiplier of x1 or x2 that applies to all wins during Free Spins
- Minimum of 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 guaranteed ways to win on each spin
During Free Spins, all Wild symbols that land automatically transform into Roaming Wilds for the remainder of spins. Each Wild will move to a new position with each spin. If 2 roaming wilds overlap each other, the Global Win Multiplier increases by +x1.
Landing a Scatter symbol on reel 6 awards +1 Free Spin and 1 additional modifier from the Pick Phase.
Similar Slots to Release the Kraken Megaways
- Release the Kraken 2 (Pragmatic Play)
- Beast Below (Hacksaw Gaming)
- Beware the Deep Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Conclusion
We’ve wrestled our fair share of Mythical sea creatures, but none compare to the legendary Kraken in this series. It’s clear Pragmatic Play has poured their heart and soul into Release the Kraken Megaways, displaying high-quality graphics, an alluring design, and appealing features.
By introducing the Megaways mechanic, Pragmatic Play has opened doors to players who opt for this mechanic in slots, appealing to a wider audience. The base game is crammed with multiple features, one of which awards a Guaranteed Win on any random non-winning spin.
Although a Megaways title, Pragmatic Play has stripped Release the Kraken Megaways of the Cascade feature and additional Sliding reel. However, these particular functions are optional in a Megaways slot, with Primal Megaways being one of many to exclude such options.
For all its flaws, Release the Kraken Megaways quickly makes up for in other areas. For example, 3 Scatter symbols are needed to enter into Free Spins, rather than the standard 4 in a Megaways title.
In other news, Release the Kraken Megaways resembles Golden Fish Tank by utilising a Pick Phase before entering Free Spins. Depending on the number of triggering Scatters, you can grasp up to 6 Picks, with each Chest gifting an upgrade which applies to your Free Spins round.
All in all, Release the Kraken Megaways is a promising addition to the series that facilitates a generous max win cap and a variety of in-game features and mechanics!