Merlin Journey of Flame Slot Review
Play’n GO have built a recognisable identity within fantasy slot design, and Merlin Journey of Flame–the fifth entry in their Merlin series–confirms that approach. Released in July 2023 as a prequel to Rise of Merlin and Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana, this instalment returns to familiar territory with a six-reel mechanic borrowed from previous releases. The game positions itself as a refinement rather than a reinvention, offering high volatility gameplay wrapped in polished Arthurian theming. At its core, this is another Book of-style slot with expanding symbols and a scatter-driven free spins structure, though the sixth reel addition and visual presentation differentiate it from more direct clones.
Base Game & Features
Merlin Journey of Flame operates on a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, expanding to a 6×3 configuration during free spins. The base game runs lean by design–high volatility ensures smaller wins and frequent dead spins, creating the tension typical of this genre. The Dragon Egg symbol functions as both wild and scatter, substituting for all pay symbols while also triggering the bonus round. This dual functionality eliminates unnecessary complexity, keeping the focus on spin-to-spin progression towards the feature.
Symbol values follow Play’n GO‘s typical structure, with Merlin himself serving as the premium pay symbol. Five-of-a-kind Merlin wins award 500x the bet, while six-of-a-kind pays climb to 750x once the sixth reel unlocks. Mid-tier symbols (Merlin’s magic tools and potions) pay between 100x and 300x for five matches, scaling to 1,000x to 3,000x for six-symbol combinations. The sixth reel remains visibly inactive during base gameplay, serving as a constant reminder of the enhanced potential waiting in the bonus round.
Dragon Egg Wilds
The Dragon Egg symbol handles double duty as wild and scatter. As a wild, it substitutes for all standard pay symbols, helping complete winning combinations across the 10 paylines. As a scatter, landing three or more Dragon Eggs anywhere on the reels triggers the free spins feature while also awarding instant payouts. This mechanic is common across Book of-style slots, and Play’n GO hasn’t altered the formula here.
Gamble Feature
An optional gamble feature activates after any win, allowing players to double their payout by guessing the colour of a face-down card (red or black) or quadruple it by correctly identifying the suit. The gamble can be repeated up to five times consecutively, with a maximum stake of 250x the bet. This is standard Play’n GO territory–an optional tool for risk-tolerant players rather than a core mechanic. Those chasing variance can leverage it; others will ignore it entirely without affecting base gameplay experience.
Merlin Journey of Flame Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, or 5 Dragon Egg scatters awards 8 free spins plus instant scatter payouts of 2x, 20x, or 200x the bet respectively. These instant wins can provide immediate value before the bonus round even begins, particularly when five scatters land. When free spins activate, the sixth reel unlocks, expanding the grid to 6×3 and increasing win potential across all symbol combinations.
At the start of the bonus round, a random expanding symbol is chosen from the paytable. This symbol expands to cover entire reels when it appears during free spins, functioning independently of paylines. Full-screen wins of the expanding symbol deliver the maximum payouts–5,000x the bet for five-reel coverage, climbing to 7,500x when all six reels are filled. The sixth reel mechanic is well-constructed in that it creates genuine variance within the bonus round rather than serving as a cosmetic addition. Wins shift meaningfully when that extra reel contributes expanding symbols.
Free spins can be retriggered indefinitely by landing three or more scatters during the bonus round, awarding an additional 8 spins each time. However, retriggering does not select a new expanding symbol–the original choice remains active throughout all subsequent spins. This differs from some earlier Merlin series entries and mirrors the approach seen in Book of Dead. It’s a deliberate design choice that prevents the bonus from becoming entirely outcome-dependent on lucky symbol reselection during retriggers.
Our Honest Verdict
Merlin Journey of Flame is a well-executed high volatility slot that operates within established frameworks rather than challenging them. Play’n GO has refined the Book of formula with the sixth reel mechanic and wrapped it in production values that rank among the best in slot design. The 96.28% RTP sits comfortably above industry average, and the 7,500x maximum win is genuine and achievable through the bonus mechanics. The visual presentation–from the atmospheric dragon’s lair backdrop to the short introductory movie–demonstrates the developer’s capability in crafting immersive environments.
Where the game falls short is innovation. In our assessment, this follows very closely in the footsteps of Scroll of Dead and the wider Book of archetype that has saturated the market. The sixth reel addition provides meaningful mechanical differentiation, but the underlying structure remains unchanged: dead spins in the base game, scatter-triggered free spins, expanding symbols, and retriggers. Those seeking novel mechanics or fresh approaches to slot design won’t find them here.
The high volatility suits players who accept dead spin stretches in exchange for concentrated bonus round payouts. The 10-payline structure keeps base game action sparse, and the sixth reel remains tantalizingly inactive until the feature triggers. This isn’t poor design–it’s intentional pacing that builds tension towards the bonus round. However, those preferring frequent smaller wins or engaging base game features should look elsewhere.
Merlin Journey of Flame will satisfy fans of the Merlin series and Book of genre enthusiasts who value visual polish and proven mechanics. It’s a capable addition to Play’n GO’s portfolio that knows its audience and delivers accordingly. The game won’t convert sceptics of expanding symbol slots, nor will it challenge players seeking mechanical innovation. But for those who enjoy this format, the sixth reel enhancement and exceptional production quality make it a worthwhile entry. Solid execution of proven systems rather than a breakthrough release.
Merlin Journey of Flame FAQs
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What is the RTP of Merlin Journey of Flame?
Merlin Journey of Flame has an RTP of 96.28%, which sits above the industry average. This return-to-player percentage indicates a solid theoretical return over extended gameplay sessions. Note that casinos may offer different RTP configurations, with 96.28% being the highest available setting. -
What is the maximum win on Merlin Journey of Flame?
The maximum win potential on Merlin Journey of Flame is 7,500x your stake. This is achievable during the free spins feature when the sixth reel unlocks, offering enhanced winning opportunities compared to the base game. -
Does Merlin Journey of Flame have free spins?
Yes, Merlin Journey of Flame features a free spins bonus round. Landing 3, 4, or 5 Dragon Egg scatter symbols awards 8 free spins plus instant payouts of 2x, 20x, or 200x your bet respectively. During free spins, a sixth reel unlocks and a random expanding symbol is chosen to enhance winning potential. The feature can be retriggered indefinitely for additional 8-spin sets. -
Can I play Merlin Journey of Flame on mobile?
Yes, Merlin Journey of Flame is fully mobile compatible. Built with HTML5 technology, the game is optimised for all devices including Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. You can enjoy the same gameplay experience on mobile as on desktop with no loss in quality or features. -
What is the volatility of Merlin Journey of Flame?
Merlin Journey of Flame has high volatility, scoring 9 out of 10 on Play’n GO’s volatility scale. This means wins may be less frequent but potentially larger when they occur, making it suitable for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay. -
Does Merlin Journey of Flame have a bonus buy feature?
No, Merlin Journey of Flame does not have a bonus buy feature. The free spins round can only be triggered naturally by landing 3 or more Dragon Egg scatter symbols during regular gameplay. This keeps the game focused on traditional slot mechanics without shortcut purchases. -
What are the paylines in Merlin Journey of Flame?
Merlin Journey of Flame features 10 fixed paylines across its 5×3 grid (expanding to 6×3 during free spins). The fixed payline structure ensures consistent betting options and straightforward gameplay mechanics throughout your session. -
Who developed Merlin Journey of Flame?
Merlin Journey of Flame was developed by Play’n GO, a leading online casino game provider. Released on July 13, 2023, it’s the fifth instalment in Play’n GO’s popular Merlin slot series, showcasing the developer’s continued expertise in creating engaging magical-themed slots.
