Power of Merlin Megaways Slot Review 2024

The great and powerful Merlin is working his magic in Pragmatic Play’s latest Megaways release, Power of Merlin Megaways!

Merlin is up to his usual tricks in Pragmatic Play’s latest instalment, where Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic is being stretched to its limits once again.

It’s here you will witness the Lightning Bolt feature in action, transforming random High or Low-paying symbols into Wilds when it lands in view.

Hiding up Merlin’s sleeve is a Free Spins round with a Global Win Multiplier that climbs with each Cascade, edging you closer and closer to the max win cap of 40,000x.

Will Merlin reveal the full extent of his power? Let’s play on and find out!

Power of Merlin Megaways Base Game and Features

Power of Merlin Megaways is a 6-reel slot with up to 117,649 ways to win. Winning combinations are formed when 3 or more of the same symbols (or 2 or more of the highest-paying symbol) land from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel.

The minimum bet available here is £.€0.20 per spin and the maximum bet available is £.€100 per spin, with plenty of other options in between the two. This game has a theoretical RTP of 96.09% and a max win cap of 40,000x.

In terms of symbols, the highest-paying regular symbol here is Merlin, followed by the Owl, Diamond, and Potion. Low-paying symbols are standard Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Nine. Wilds appear on reels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, substituting for all symbols except Scatters and Lightning Bolts.

Each time a winning combination forms, all winning symbols will be removed from the reels, and new symbols will drop down from above via a Cascade, with the possibility of forming even more winning combinations.

In addition to this, there is also an additional Sliding Reel above the reel set. Each time a winning combination forms using symbols from this reel, they will be removed and all remaining symbols will move over to the leftmost position, filling all empty positions.

Lightning Bolt Feature

During any base game spin, the Lightning Bolt symbol can appear at random in the additional Sliding Reel. Once a Lightning Bolt symbol hits, all instances of a random High or Low-paying symbol from reels 2, 3, 4, or 5 will be chosen to be replaced with Wilds.

If the Lightning Bolt symbol appears as a result of a Cascade, it will change to a new position on the additional Sliding Reel and the same symbol replacement feature will occur.

Power of Merlin Megaways Free Spins

Landing 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 Scatters across the reels during the base game triggers the Free Spins round, awarding 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, and 30 Free Spins respectively.

Before the Free Spins round can begin, you will be given the option to Gamble your current Free Spins for more. If you choose to Gamble, a Wheel will spin and stop on either a Win or Lose position.

If the cursor stops on a Win position, the number of Free Spins won will increase by +4. However, landing the cursor on a Lose position will return you to the base game, and the Free Spins round is lost.

• Gambling from 10-14 Free Spins – Has a success rate of 63.10%
• Gambling from 14-18 Free Spins – Has a success rate of 69.37%
• Gambling from 18-22 Free Spins – Has a success rate of 73.95%
• Gambling from 22-26 Free Spins – Has a success rate of 76.58%
• Gambling from 26-30 Free Spins – Has a success rate of 78.92%

During Free Spins, an active Global Win Multiplier starting at x1 is active. Each Cascade that occurs will increase the Global Win Multiplier by +x1 until the end of the Bonus round. Each win formed will be multiplied by the Global Win Multiplier.

Landing 3 Scatter symbols during this time will award an additional +4 Free Spins. Please note, the Lightning Bolt feature is active during Free Spins.

Power of Merlin Megaways Bonus Buy

Those outside the UK will benefit from a Bonus Buy option. Pragmatic Play has granted players access to the Free Spins round for a total cost of 150x your bet. 

Once you have purchased Free Spins, the game will automatically trigger the Free Spins round with 4, 5, 6, or 7 Scatters. (RTP 96.08%)

Power of Merlin Megaways: Our Verdict

Power of Merlin Megaways is everything you would hope to see in a Megaways slot and more. Merlin has popped his head into many slots over the years but none really stand out as much as iSoftBet’s Merlins Revenge Megaways, that is until now.

Power of Merlin Megaways doesn’t quite top the likes of Merlins Revenge Megaways, but it does stand out as a solid choice for those looking to expand their Megaways collection.

Pragmatic Play has taken Mystery symbols out of the equation and opted for something a little more reminiscent of Stakelogic’s Candyways Bonanza 3, where random High or Low-paying symbols are transformed into Wilds via the Lightning Bolt feature.

This feature, although not unique, is a great way to create or increase winning combinations across the reels, at the same time as keeping the base game interesting.

Those outside the UK can dip into the Free Spins round as and when they choose through a Bonus Buy option that doesn’t cost over the odds. Although this is not something UK players have access to, we feel that Power of Merlin Megaways is worth the grind to see the Free Spins round in action.

As far as statistics go, Pragmatic Play have really pushed the boat out on this one, with an RTP of 96.09% and a max win cap of 40,000x up for grabs. This is a huge step up from their safety net of 5,000x and one you don’t want to miss out on.

All in all, if the recurring theme and Megaways mechanic doesn’t tickle your fancy, then the features and max win cap certainly will!