Jolly Roger 2 (Play'n Go) Slot Review
Jolly Roger 2: Slot Overview
After an eight-year hiatus, Play’n GO returned to the high seas with Jolly Roger 2, a sequel to their original 2012 pirate-themed slot. The new title doesn’t just revisit familiar waters—it thoroughly overhauls the voyage. This swashbuckling adventure packs more action, significantly improved visuals, and multiple bonus rounds into a dramatic maritime package. Whether you’re a fan of the original or just itching to sail into dangerous waters with a hearty crew, Jolly Roger 2 delivers a cinematic pirate escapade brimming with surprises.
Play’n GO has long been a master of thematic slots, and this sequel proves why. With features like random instant multipliers, a multi-stage bonus quest, and free spins battle rounds, the slot doesn’t just set sail—it storms the reels with style. It’s a five-reel, 20-payline slot with medium volatility, offering a max win potential of up to 5,000x the bet, and a default RTP of 96.20%. The betting range, from €0.20 to €100, caters to a wide spectrum of players, making this slot an attractive proposition whether you’re a casual player or a daring high roller.
Design and Graphics
Graphically, Jolly Roger 2 represents a considerable step up from its predecessor. The action plays out across a semi-transparent grid overlaying a stormy sea and ship deck. Behind the reels, waves crash against the hull as cannons glint in anticipation of action. The interface is polished and modern, with the game logo perched above a compass—a core feature that determines which random bonus may trigger. Symbol design sticks faithfully to pirate lore. High-value symbols include treasure chests, skull rings, diamonds, crucifixes, and the iconic Jolly Roger flag, while lower-paying icons are a classic suite of card royals (10 to A). The treasure chest and skull-crossbones symbols offer the highest base payouts, while the golden compass and wild flag add dynamic flair during bonus rounds.
Overall, the presentation is sharp and thematic, clearly aiming to rival top-tier pirate games like NetEnt’s Rage of the Seas and Ghost Pirates.
Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Jolly Roger 2 is easy to pick up, yet layered with enough features to keep things engaging over extended sessions. The action unfolds on a 5×3 grid with 20 fixed paylines, with combinations forming from left to right. Wins come fairly frequently thanks to the medium volatility model, and there’s a constant sense of anticipation due to the game’s random Compass feature.
The Compass spins randomly above the reels and can award multipliers from 2x to 10x on any base game spin. This alone is a compelling mechanic, especially as it frequently intersects with other features, including base game wins or bonus round triggers.
Gameplay flow is further enhanced by the Bonus Quest, which activates when three scatter symbols land on reels 1, 3, and 5. This unlocks one of four uniquely designed bonus rounds, each offering a different kind of pirate-style thrill.
Sound and Music
Jolly Roger 2 sets a fitting auditory backdrop to its pirate theme. The soundtrack is stirringly orchestral, bringing to mind swashbuckling blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean. From the crash of waves to the creak of the ship’s rigging, the audio immerses you fully in the pirate world.
Each feature is paired with its own dramatic cue—when the Compass spins, a suspenseful jingle builds anticipation. Triggering the Bonus Quest launches a rousing fanfare, while the Battle Spins bring a more intense musical motif, heightening the excitement of combat. The polish in the sound design is top-tier and helps elevate the overall experience significantly.
Bonus Features
Play’n GO packed a chest full of treasures into Jolly Roger 2’s bonus mechanics. Here’s a breakdown of what’s on offer: Compass Feature
Triggered randomly on any spin, the Compass awards a random multiplier of up to 10x to the current spin. It’s not tied to scatters or wilds and can even boost winnings during bonus rounds, adding an unpredictable thrill to the base game.
Bonus Quest
Triggered by three scatters, this feature presents a scroll-picking screen, where players choose three matching scrolls to unlock one of four bonus modes:
Instant Prize – Simple and direct, this mode awards 2x to 20x your bet, potentially enhanced by the Compass multiplier.
Bottle of Rum Free Spin – Choose bottles until you reveal the poisoned one. Each safe pick turns a reel wild. When the poisoned bottle is found, the spin resolves and wins are evaluated.
Treasure Hunt – Starts with 10 free spins. A map screen shows a boat navigating to treasure chests based on symbols landed on the reels. Each chest may reward extra spins, multipliers, symbol upgrades, or wilds.
Battle Spins – The most elaborate feature. You get three lives and battle against Dutch, Portuguese, or British ships on a 3×3 grid using pirate and privateer coins. Winning earns you prizes and extra spins. Each enemy defeated yields different upgrades:
British: high-paying symbols become treasure chests
Portuguese: up to 2 symbols turn wild
Dutch: three adjacent reels display the same symbols
If you lose a battle, you get a consolation spin with stacked wilds. It’s a well-rounded set of bonuses with excellent replay value.
Betting Options and Payouts
Jolly Roger 2 caters to all budgets with bets ranging from €0.20 to €100 per spin. The maximum win potential of 5,000x is attainable through clever combinations of features, particularly Battle Spins and Compass-enhanced payouts.
The default RTP of 96.20% is solid and exactly in line with the Play’n GO average. It balances frequent moderate wins with the chance for occasional big paydays. Medium volatility means players won’t have to wait too long between hits, but there’s still tension and reward in the bigger features.
The base game isn’t overly generous on its own—high-value symbols pay up to 10x for five-of-a-kind, and wilds can substitute for all regular symbols (except scatters). Much of the big win potential comes through the bonus mechanics rather than line wins.
Conclusion
Jolly Roger 2 is a high-seas adventure done right. Play’n GO has taken the best elements of modern slot design—multipliers, multi-level bonuses, interactive features—and combined them with a classic theme to produce a slot that’s both entertaining and rewarding.
While not all bonus rounds are created equal (the Instant Prize can feel like a letdown after the cinematic build-up), the sheer variety and execution make this a game worth replaying. The Compass mechanic adds excitement to even the most routine spins, and the Battle Spins deliver adrenaline-pumping gameplay with high win potential.
For fans of pirate slots or players who love narrative-driven features, Jolly Roger 2 is a worthy voyage. It’s a brilliant update to the original and a strong entry in Play’n GO’s extensive catalogue. Whether you’re in it for the loot, the lore, or the layered mechanics, this is one ship you won’t regret boarding.