Rise of Merlin Slot Review
| Updated: Released in 2019 by Play’n GO, Rise of Merlin takes you to the wizard’s laboratory on a 5-reel, 10-payline layout packed with expanding symbols, high volatility and an above-average 96.58% RTP. The cult classic remains hugely popular for its 5 000x max win and straightforward “Book of” mechanics. This Rise of Merlin slot review covers everything about the game’s features, payouts and playing experience, helping you decide whether the legendary sorcerer’s riches are worth chasing.
Rise of Merlin Pros and Cons
- Pros
- High 96.58% RTP for a volatile slot
- Max payout of 5 000x the stake
- Free spins with retriggering special expanding symbols
- Adjustable paylines and bets from $0.10 to $100
- Fully optimised for mobile play
- Cons
- High volatility can drain bankrolls fast
- No progressive jackpot
- Base game offers few extras beyond the gamble feature
Rise of Merlin Data Table
| Slot’s Summary | |
|---|---|
| Game Type | Video Slot |
| Developer | Play’n GO |
| Theme | Magic, Arthurian Legend |
| Release Date | 20 June 2019 |
| Layout | 5 Reels × 3 Rows |
| RTP | 96.58% |
| Volatility | High |
| Minimum Bet | $0.10 |
| Maximum Bet | $100 |
| Max Payout | 5 000× stake |
| Hit Frequency Rate | 18.34% |
| Paylines | 10 (adjustable) |
| Free Spins | Yes |
| Features | Wild/Scatter, Free Spins with Special Expanding Symbols, Gamble/Risk Game, Adjustable Paylines |
| Jackpot Type | Non-Progressive (Fixed) |
Rise of Merlin Theme & Symbols
Rise of Merlin slot transports players to an arcane chamber bathed in blue-fire torches, where the legendary wizard experiments with mystical orbs. The game’s Arthurian-fantasy theme, coupled with richly detailed symbols such as dragons, owls and the sorcerer himself, creates an immersive atmosphere befitting the era of magic. Every spin feels like turning a spell book’s page, as the crystal ball scatter doubles as a wild, conjuring both payouts and feature triggers.
Visuals & Audio
Play’n GO pairs high-definition visuals with subtle yet compelling animations: reels glow when special symbols expand, and arcane runes pulse around the frame. The deep, orchestral soundtrack builds tension, punctuated by ethereal chimes as wins land, while free-spin retriggers unleash a triumphant fanfare. Together, the cinematic sound design and polished artwork heighten the sense of adventure, whether you spin on desktop or mobile in portrait mode.
Symbols
Low-Paying Symbols: 10, J, Q, K and A appear as glittering runic letters and award up to 10×–15× your bet for five of a kind.
High-Paying Symbols:
- Merlin – up to 5000× bet for five
- Red Dragon – up to 1600× bet for five
- White Dragon – up to 600× bet for five
- Owl – up to 600× bet for five
Rise of Merlin Payout Table
| Symbol | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merlin | 10× | 100× | 1000× | 5000× |
| Crystal Ball Scatter | 10× | 100× | 1000× | 5000× |
| Red Dragon | 5× | 30× | 300× | 1600× |
| White Dragon | 5× | 20× | 80× | 600× |
| Owl | 5× | 20× | 80× | 600× |
| A & K | – | 5× | 30× | 120× |
| Q, J & 10 | – | 5× | 20× | 80× |
How to Play Rise of Merlin Slot
Play Rise of Merlin slot by first selecting the number of active paylines (1–10) via the side panel and then clicking the plus or minus buttons to set a total bet between $0.10 and $100. Press the large spin button to set the 5×3 reels in motion or use Autoplay for up to 100 spins with optional stop limits. Wins are formed by landing three or more matching symbols from left to right (high symbols pay from two).
The crystal ball acts as both scatter and wild, substituting for all icons and paying anywhere. Three or more balls unlock 8 free spins with a randomly chosen special expanding symbol; the feature can retrigger infinitely and add extra expanders, dramatically boosting your chances of hitting the game’s 5 000× max win. After each winning spin you can activate the Gamble feature, guessing card colour or suit to double or quadruple your prize.
Tips & Strategies for Rise of Merlin
- Start with a smaller stake and gradually increase only after a few free-spin rounds; the slot’s high volatility can eat balance quickly during cold streaks.
- Keep all 10 paylines active; reducing lines lowers your chances of triggering the scatter and special expanding symbol bonus.
- Set loss and win limits in Autoplay to prevent overspending while waiting for the lucrative free-spin feature to hit.
- Use the Gamble feature sparingly; go for colour predictions instead of suit to keep risk lower and protect larger base-game wins.
- Play the 96.58% RTP version; some casinos offer reduced-RTP editions, so always check the game info panel before spinning.
Rise of Merlin Review Verdict
Rise of Merlin slot remains one of Play’n GO’s finest ‘Book of’ games, fusing a high 96.58% RTP, huge 5 000× potential and limitless retriggering free spins into a single, mobile-friendly package. If you enjoy high-risk gameplay with simple but explosive bonus rounds, the wizard’s laboratory is definitely worth a visit.
FAQ
- What is the RTP of Rise of Merlin?
- The default RTP is 96.58%, although some casinos may offer lower-RTP versions, so always check the game information screen.
- What is the maximum win in Rise of Merlin?
- You can win up to 5 000 times your total bet by filling the screen with the high-paying Merlin symbol during the free spins.
- How do I trigger the free spins feature?
- Land three or more crystal ball scatter symbols anywhere on the reels in a single spin to receive 8 free spins with a special expanding symbol.
- Can I play Rise of Merlin on mobile?
- Yes, the slot is fully optimised for iOS and Android devices, offering smooth portrait and landscape gameplay without downloads.
- Is there a progressive jackpot in Rise of Merlin?
- No. The game features a fixed jackpot of 5 000× your stake, achieved through the free-spin expanding symbol mechanic.