Excalibur Unleashed (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Excalibur Unleashed: Slot Overview

Excalibur Unleashed is a fantasy-themed video slot developed by Pragmatic Play and released on April 27, 2023. The game draws inspiration from Arthurian legend, centering around King Arthur’s legendary sword, Excalibur, embedded in a stone. Players follow a whimsical bird character in a purple hat and robe, and a green-clad mouse wielding a knife, as they quest through an enchanted forest to claim the sword symbolizing rightful sovereignty. Unlike some modern tales conflating it with the Sword in the Stone, this slot distinctly features Excalibur.

The gameplay employs a distinctive 5-reel setup with uneven rows: 3 rows on the first and last reels, and 5 rows on the three middle reels, creating an asymmetrical grid that enhances visual dynamism. It utilizes 20 fixed paylines, with wins possible from left to right or right to left, adding bidirectional payout potential uncommon in many slots. This high-volatility title targets experienced players seeking substantial payout swings, feature-rich base games, and Arthurian-themed adventures. With a default RTP of 96.05%, bets ranging from €0.20 to €100, and a maximum win capped at 5,000x the stake, it appeals to those chasing big multipliers in an engaging, mobile-optimized format.

Design and Graphics

Excalibur Unleashed boasts a vibrant, cartoonish aesthetic set in an enchanted forest backdrop, evoking a sense of whimsy and adventure. Lush green grass sways gently, interspersed with animated butterflies and rabbits that dart across the screen, adding life to the scene. Sunlight filters through dense, leafy trees in the upper right, casting a magical glow, while the iconic Excalibur sword protrudes from a moss-covered stone to the left of the reels. This stone doubles as an interactive Bonus Buy button, seamlessly blending narrative and functionality.

The reel structure visually emphasizes the uneven rows—3 symbols on reels 1 and 5, expanding to 5 on reels 2, 3, and 4—framed by ornate golden borders that complement the medieval fantasy theme. Symbols are richly detailed: low-paying royals (10, J, Q, K, A) in metallic green hues award modest payouts, rendered with subtle glows for readability. Higher-paying icons elevate the theme—a glowing potion bottle, mystical sphere, jeweled crown, the knife-wielding mouse in emerald attire, and the purple-robed bird with a distinctive hat—each paying up to 25x the bet for five-of-a-kind. Animations are fluid; winning symbols shimmer and explode with particle effects, while the Wild Excalibur sword dramatically expands to fill its entire reel with gleaming steel and golden engravings.

The user interface is intuitive, with clear bet controls, autoplay options, and a soundtrack of ethereal flutes and forest ambiance that intensifies during wins. Optimized for desktop and mobile, the graphics maintain sharpness across devices, with no noticeable lag in transitions. Overall, the design strikes a balance between playful cartoon elements and epic fantasy, ensuring broad appeal without overwhelming visual clutter.

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, Excalibur Unleashed operates on a 5-reel grid with 3-5-5-5-3 rows and 20 fixed paylines. Wins form by landing three or more matching symbols on a payline, uniquely starting from either the leftmost (reel 1) or rightmost (reel 5) reel, facilitating more frequent combinations especially when leveraging edge Wilds. All payouts are calculated based on the total bet, with the game supporting bets from €0.20 to €100 per spin.

Standard symbols include low-payers (10-A, 2x-3x for five-of-a-kind) and premiums (potion, sphere, crown, mouse, bird; 5x-25x for five). The Wild Symbol, depicted as Excalibur, exclusively lands on reels 1 and 5, expanding to cover all positions on its reel (3 rows). It substitutes for all pay symbols and carries a random multiplier from 2x to 20x (specific values: 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 10x, 12x, 15x, or 20x), applying to any win it contributes to. Multiple Wilds in a single win add their multipliers together, amplifying payouts significantly.

The base game flows smoothly with medium-paced spins, quick resolutions, and bidirectional wins promoting strategic play near the edges. No tumbling or expanding reels occur outside features, keeping mechanics straightforward yet punctuated by Wild appearances. The hit frequency remains undisclosed, but high volatility ensures rarer, larger wins, suiting patient players.

Bonus Features

Excalibur Unleashed’s features revolve around its powerful Wild Symbol and Free Spins, with an optional Bonus Buy for direct access. The Wild not only expands and multiplies but doubles as the Scatter, triggering the bonus solely via simultaneous landings on reels 1 and 5.

The Free Spins round awards 6 spins upon trigger, retaining the triggering Wilds in position with their initial multipliers (up to 20x). These stacked Wilds remain sticky throughout, increasing by +1x each time they contribute to a win—potentially snowballing to massive values over retriggers. If both Wilds participate in the same win, an extra spin is granted, extending the feature indefinitely until spins deplete or the 5,000x max win is hit. Bidirectional pays shine here, as right-to-left wins from the fixed reel 5 Wild pair effectively with left-originating ones. Animations escalate with sword glows and multiplier flares, heightening tension.

The Bonus Buy, priced at 85x the bet, instantly activates Free Spins with Wild multipliers ranging 1x-20x (RTP adjusts to 96.02%). This feature suits high-rollers bypassing base game grinds. No other bonuses like respins or modifiers exist, focusing intensity on the sticky, escalating Wilds.

Betting Options and Payouts

Flexible betting accommodates casual and high-stakes play, from a minimum of €0.20 to a maximum of €100 per spin. Autoplay, quick spin, and buy options enhance pacing. The default RTP stands at 96.05% in the base game, dipping slightly to 96.02% in Bonus Buy, with operator-selectable lower variants at 95.06% and 94.01%.

High volatility delivers infrequent but potent wins, peaking at 5,000x the bet—achievable via multiplier escalation in Free Spins. Payouts favor premium symbols and Wild-enhanced lines, with bidirectional mechanics boosting hit potential. Max win probability and bonus frequency are undisclosed, but features align with volatile profiles: prolonged base droughts punctuated by explosive bonuses.

Conclusion

Excalibur Unleashed excels in its innovative use of sticky, escalating Wild multipliers up to 20x (and beyond via increments), bidirectional pays, and a focused Free Spins feature that can extend dramatically, making it a standout for high-volatility enthusiasts. The Arthurian theme, charming animations, and Bonus Buy accessibility add engagement, while the 5,000x max win offers real blockbuster potential. Drawbacks include feature reliance on edge-reel Wilds, potentially leading to dry base game spells, and limited bonus variety beyond Free Spins.

Compared to peers like Lord Merlin and the Lady of the Lake or The Sword and the Grail, it leans more cartoonish but delivers punchy mechanics. Players can test the slot risk-free using the built-in demo available on this page. Overall, it’s a solid, thrilling option for those who relish multiplier-driven quests in a polished package.