Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana: Slot Overview 

Play’n GO has an enduring affection for two things: book-style slots and Arthurian legends. With Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana, released on November 25, 2021, the developer blends both into a frosty, narrative-rich slot adventure that’s as cold as it is captivating. In this game, we follow the famed wizard Merlin to a frozen land ruled by none other than Morgana—his former apprentice and now, apparently, the titular Ice Queen. 

This isn’t just another Book of Ra clone. While it certainly borrows the much-loved expanding symbol mechanic of the ‘book’ genre, it spices things up with stacked wilds, multipliers, and a beautifully-rendered high-fantasy theme. With a max win of 20,000x, high volatility, and RTP of 96.20%, Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana promises to be a tale worth spinning.

Design and Graphics 

True to Play’n GO’s high standards, the visuals in Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana are crisp, immersive, and deeply atmospheric. The game shifts between two settings: a frosty castle interior during base play and a magical outdoor landscape during free spins. Everything from the UI to the symbol artwork is designed to reinforce the icy theme, with glimmering icicles and shimmering snowflakes decorating the frame. The symbol designs are also noteworthy. Low-paying symbols are stylized 10-A royals carved into frosted rock, while high-paying symbols include rings, cauldrons, books, and Merlin himself. But it’s the full-reel Morgana wild that steals the show—an ethereal ice sorceress wielding elemental power, animated with a supernatural glow that demands attention whenever she appears. 

All in all, it’s a visually polished game that delivers a strong sense of fantasy and drama, making it a pleasure to play regardless of the outcomes.

Gameplay Mechanics 

The action takes place on a 5×3 reel layout with adjustable paylines from 1 to 10, allowing players to tailor volatility to their preference. Despite the option to reduce paylines, most players will likely opt for the full 10 to maximize potential from the expanding symbols and wild multipliers. 

At its core, the slot follows the familiar formula of classic “book-style” games: spin the reels, trigger free spins, and hope for expanding symbols to land in combinations. However, Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana adds layers to this formula by introducing stacked wilds with multipliers, providing more variability and unpredictability than usual. 

The game has a medium to high volatility rating (7/10), meaning it has the potential for big wins—particularly during bonus rounds—but also stretches where nothing happens. The base game can feel a bit restrained, but the potential for sudden bursts of high-value wins is always present.

Sound and Music 

The game’s soundtrack is appropriately dramatic and atmospheric, with orchestral swells and haunting melodies that evoke the mysterious, magical world of Arthurian legend. Sound effects are crisp and responsive, enhancing the overall immersion. When Morgana lands stacked on the reels, an icy wind howls through the speakers, signaling something big is about to happen. 

During free spins, the soundtrack intensifies to underscore the action, with layered strings and chimes adding suspense and grandeur. The audio design is elegant and well-executed, perfectly complementing the game’s visuals and fantasy narrative.

Bonus Features 

Morgana Wilds & Multipliers Morgana can appear on any reel as a stacked wild, and when she covers a reel entirely, she triggers the Morgana Multiplier. This grants a random multiplier of x2, x3, x5, or x8, which applies to all wins in that spin—including wins involving scatter symbols. These wilds aren’t just flashy—they’re instrumental to achieving some of the game’s higher payouts. 

Free Spins 

Landing 3 or more Merlin Staff scatter symbols activates 10 free spins. Before the round begins, one regular symbol is randomly selected to become a special expanding symbol. This symbol expands to cover its entire reel when it forms part of a win, paying on all active paylines—even when not adjacent. 

A key twist here is that Morgana Wilds can substitute for the expanding symbol, which helps increase the chance of forming full-screen wins. This is a standout addition that separates this slot from many traditional book-style games. 

Gamble Feature 

Players can gamble any win via a classic red/black card guessing game. Guessing the card color doubles the prize, while guessing the suit quadruples it. The gamble can be used up to five times per win or until the cap of 2,500 coins is reached. While risky, it provides an option for those wanting to chase bigger rewards on small-to-mid wins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana is playable from €0.01 to €100 per spin, depending on how many paylines are activated. This wide bet range makes it accessible to low-stakes players while still being appealing to high-rollers chasing big multipliers. 

Payouts for symbols are slightly lower than some traditional book slots, with premium symbols paying between 10x and 250x for five-of-a-kind (assuming all lines are active). The lower payouts are balanced by the game’s added features—namely the multipliers and wild substitution—offering higher overall win potential. 

The theoretical max win of 20,000x the stake sets it apart from many of its genre counterparts, which typically cap out at 5,000x or 10,000x. Reaching the max will require a dream scenario: stacked Morgana wilds with x8 multipliers combined with high-value expanding symbols. While rare, the mechanics are clearly designed to support such outcomes.

Conclusion 

Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana is another strong entry in Play’n GO’s ever-growing collection of book-style slots. It doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, but it adds just enough to keep things fresh—especially through the use of full-reel multipliers and wild substitution during free spins. The visual presentation is top-notch, the narrative backdrop adds depth, and the gameplay offers enough variety to maintain long-term interest. 

The 20,000x max win and high volatility make it particularly appealing to risk-takers and fans of epic slot moments. At the same time, the adjustable paylines and modest minimum bet open the game to casual players. 

If you’re already a fan of Book of Dead, Legacy of Egypt, or Rise of Merlin, then you’ll likely find plenty to enjoy in this frosty follow-up. And if you’re new to this genre, Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana is an accessible and beautifully executed introduction.