Release the Kraken Megaways Slot Review
Introduction
Release the Kraken Megaways is a High volatility Video Slots from Pragmatic Play with a 96.4% RTP, featuring a 6-reel, 2-7 row layout and up to 117,649 payways, offering a max win of 10,000x the bet, available to play at Chips.gg. This installment builds upon its predecessors by integrating the popular Megaways engine, enhancing both gameplay and visual presentation.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Theme | Underwater, Sea Monsters |
| Reels | 6 |
| Rows | 2-7 |
| Payways | Up to 117,649 |
| RTP | 96.4% (as deployed at Chips.gg) |
| Volatility | High |
| Hit Frequency | 27.62% |
| Max Win | 10,000x |
| Min Bet | 0.20 |
| Max Bet | 240 |
| Release Date | October 14, 2024 |
| Bonus Round Frequency | 1 in 296.3 spins |
| Max Win Probability | 1 in 19,607,800 spins |
Facts verified July 2026 against the live Chips.gg game configuration.
Game Features and Bonuses
Layout: The game features a dynamic 6-reel setup with each reel capable of displaying between 2 and 7 symbols, leading to a varying number of payways up to 117,649 on each spin.
Special Symbols: Wild symbols can appear on reels 2-6 and substitute for other paying symbols to form winning combinations. Mystery symbols, exclusive to the base game, transform into the same random paying symbol when they land.
Free Spins: Triggered by landing 3 or more Scatter symbols, the Free Spins round begins with a picking phase where players choose chests to reveal extra free spins, starting roaming wilds, starting multipliers, or minimum payways. Wilds remain on the reels and roam, increasing a multiplier if two land on the same spot.
Bonus Rounds: The game includes a Wild Respins feature, activated by 3 or more Wild symbols, where Wilds become sticky and roam, granting additional respins for new Wilds. A Guaranteed Win feature can randomly trigger on non-winning base game spins, guaranteeing a win of at least 10x the bet.
Unique Features: Players can utilize Feature Buys to directly access the Free Spins round for a cost, or activate an Extra Bet option to increase the chances of triggering Free Spins organically.
Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies
Unique Mechanics: Release the Kraken Megaways utilizes the Megaways engine, meaning the number of active payways changes with each spin, offering dynamic winning potential. The roaming and sticky Wilds in both Wild Respins and Free Spins add an engaging layer to symbol interaction.
In-Game Dynamics: Winning combinations are formed by landing matching symbols on consecutive reels starting from the leftmost reel. The game's visual design shifts from a calm shore in the base game to a deep-sea setting during bonus rounds, enhancing immersion.
Player Strategy: While no strategy can alter the game's inherent RTP, understanding the mechanics of the picking phase in Free Spins can help players make informed choices, though the outcomes are predetermined. Managing bankroll effectively is crucial given the game's High volatility.
Comparison with Similar Slots
Release the Kraken Megaways shares thematic and mechanical elements with other popular titles. Great Rhino Megaways by Pragmatic Play also features the Megaways engine with a High volatility and a similar RTP of 96.58%, offering cascading reels and free spins with increasing multipliers. Another comparable game is Pirate Kingdom Megaways by Iron Dog Studio, which boasts a 96.20% RTP and High volatility, focusing on free spins with locked reels and increasing multipliers. Finally, Release the Kraken 2, the direct predecessor, offers a 96.50% RTP and High volatility, but without the Megaways mechanic, highlighting the evolution of the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum win potential in Release the Kraken Megaways?
The game offers a maximum win potential of 10,000 times the player's bet, which can be achieved through its various features and multipliers.
How does the Megaways mechanic work in this slot?
The Megaways mechanic means that each reel can land a variable number of symbols on every spin, creating up to 117,649 possible ways to win by matching symbols on adjacent reels.
Are there different RTP versions of Release the Kraken Megaways?
Yes, while the version deployed at Chips.gg has an RTP of 96.4%, other configurations of the game exist with lower RTPs, such as 95.57% and 94.53%.
Can I buy access to the Free Spins feature?
Yes, the game includes a Feature Buy option that allows players to directly purchase entry into the Free Spins round, bypassing the need to land Scatter symbols organically.
What is the significance of the Mystery Symbol?
The Mystery Symbol, appearing only in the base game, transforms into a single, randomly chosen paying symbol, potentially creating or enhancing winning combinations across the reels.
Conclusion
Release the Kraken Megaways successfully evolves the popular series by integrating the dynamic Megaways engine, offering up to 117,649 ways to win. Its revamped picking phase in the Free Spins round and the addition of roaming Wilds provide engaging gameplay, complemented by crisp graphics and a thematic shift between base game and bonus rounds. While the High volatility and the max win probability of 1 in 19,607,800 spins suggest a challenging experience, the game's features, including Wild Respins and Guaranteed Wins, offer frequent action. This slot is best suited for players who enjoy high-variance games with complex mechanics and the potential for substantial payouts.
