Rise of Merlin (Play'n GO)
Play'n GO
Rise of Merlin Slot Review
Introduction
Rise of Merlin is a high-volatility video slot from Play'n GO with a 96.58% RTP, a 5-reel, 3-row, 10-payline layout, and a maximum win of 5,000x the stake, available to play at Chips.gg. The game casts the legendary wizard in a luminous enchanted forest, with owls, dragons, and glowing crystal balls filling the reels. Its engine is the classic expanding-symbol formula: free spins play with a randomly chosen symbol that stretches to cover entire reels, and unlike most of its rivals, every retrigger adds another expanding symbol to the mix.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game | Rise of Merlin |
| Provider | Play'n GO |
| Release Date | June 2019 |
| Game Type | Video Slot |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows, 10 paylines |
| RTP | 96.58% (as deployed at Chips.gg) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | 5,000x stake |
| Hit Frequency | 28.00% |
| Free Spins | Yes, 3 or more crystal ball scatters trigger 8 free spins |
| Demo Mode | Yes at Chips.gg |
Facts verified July 2026 against the live Chips.gg game configuration.
Game Features and Bonuses
Rise of Merlin concentrates its entire feature set into one free spins round built around expanding symbols.
Layout: 5 reels, 3 rows, and 10 paylines. Wins pay left to right for 3 or more matching symbols on a payline.
Special Symbols: The crystal ball does double duty as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for every other symbol, pays anywhere on the reels, and unlocks the free spins round. Merlin himself is the premium symbol, paying 10x for just 2 of a kind and a full 5,000x for 5 across a payline.
Free Spins: Landing 3 or more crystal ball scatters awards 8 free spins. Before the round begins, one regular symbol is randomly chosen as the special expanding symbol. Landing 3 or more scatters during the feature retriggers it, and there is no cap on retriggers.
Bonus Rounds / Mini-Games: There is no separate mini-game. The expanding symbol is the show: when enough of them land, they stretch to fill their entire reels and pay like scatters, with no need to sit on adjacent reels.
Unique Features: Each retrigger adds a further expanding symbol to the reels, up to 9 in total. Stacking multiple expanding symbols is the twist that separates Rise of Merlin from the many slots sharing this formula.
Gameplay Mechanics and Strategies
Rise of Merlin is a feature-driven slot where the base game exists mainly to reach the free spins.
Unique Mechanics: The core loop is simple: chase 3 crystal balls, receive 8 free spins, and hope the randomly drawn expanding symbol is a premium. A Merlin draw with a full-screen expansion is where the 5,000x ceiling lives.
In-Game Dynamics: Because expanded symbols pay in any positions, a single high-paying expansion can hit on all 10 paylines at once. Retriggers compound this, as each one adds a new expanding symbol and extends the round.
Player Strategy: No bet strategy changes the RTP, so manage the variance instead. With a 28.00% hit frequency and high volatility, dry spells between features are long; size bets so your bankroll survives the wait, and use the demo to learn the feature's rhythm before playing for real money.
Comparison with Similar Slots
Rise of Merlin belongs to the same family as Play'n GO's most famous 10-payline, high-volatility slots. Book of Dead, the provider's flagship, uses an identical skeleton: 3-scatter trigger, a randomly chosen expanding symbol, and a 5,000x top prize wrapped in an Egyptian theme. Legacy of Dead refines that formula on the same 5,000x ceiling. Rise of Merlin matches their potential but adds a genuine wrinkle: retriggers introduce additional expanding symbols, up to 9, so a long feature grows more powerful as it runs rather than simply lasting longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Rise of Merlin?
Rise of Merlin has a 96.58% RTP as deployed at Chips.gg. Play'n GO ships multiple RTP builds of this game, and some casinos run versions as low as 94.51%, so the figure is worth checking wherever you play.
Is Rise of Merlin a high volatility slot?
Yes, Rise of Merlin is a high volatility slot with a 28.00% hit frequency. Most of its payout potential is concentrated in the free spins round, so long losing stretches are part of the design.
What is the max win in Rise of Merlin?
The maximum win in Rise of Merlin is 5,000x your stake, matching the payout for landing 5 Merlin symbols and reached through full-screen expanding symbol hits in the free spins.
How do you trigger free spins in Rise of Merlin?
Landing 3 or more crystal ball scatters in Rise of Merlin triggers 8 free spins with a randomly chosen expanding symbol. Three or more scatters during the round retrigger it with no upper limit.
Can I play Rise of Merlin for free in demo mode?
Yes, Rise of Merlin supports demo mode at Chips.gg, so you can watch the expanding symbol feature play out before wagering real money.
What slots are similar to Rise of Merlin?
Book of Dead and Legacy of Dead, both by Play'n GO, are the closest matches: 10-payline, high-volatility slots with expanding symbol free spins and 5,000x ceilings. Rise of Merlin stands apart by adding extra expanding symbols on every retrigger.
Conclusion
Rise of Merlin executes a proven formula with an above-average 96.58% RTP and one meaningful innovation in its stacking expanding symbols. The drawbacks are honest ones: there is only a single feature, the base game is quiet, and the 5,000x ceiling is modest next to modern releases. It suits players who enjoy the classic Book of Dead style of high volatility play and want a slightly better RTP for it. Players who need frequent features or layered bonus mechanics should look elsewhere.
