Merlin: Journey of Flame (Play'n Go) Slot Review

Merlin: Journey of Flame: Slot Overview 

Merlin: Journey of Flame, released on July 13, 2023, is another mystical expedition from Play’n GO, blending the studio’s beloved Arthurian legend theme with the ever-popular “book-style” mechanic. But this time, there’s a twist—dragons are involved, and so is a sixth reel that only comes to life during free spins. This elevates the experience beyond the typical clone of Book of Ra, offering a novel take while keeping the roots of the format familiar. 

At its heart, Merlin: Journey of Flame is a reskin of Scroll of Dead, meaning players are once again chasing special expanding symbols in a free spins round. However, the atmosphere, visual setting, and subtle enhancements help differentiate it enough to make it feel less like a copy-paste job and more like a solid remix. With high volatility (9/10), a 96.28% RTP, and a maximum win of 7,500x the bet, this is a fiery addition to Play’n GO’s magical Merlin catalogue.

Design and Graphics 

This time around, Merlin finds himself not in an icy fortress or enchanted forest, but in a cavernous dragon’s lair, illuminated by the glow of rune-marked stones and flickering torchlight. The grid is flanked by jagged rock formations, giving the whole scene an adventurous, primal energy. The design isn’t over-the-top, but it’s well-crafted and effective in creating a dark fantasy tone. The symbols on the reels are split between low-paying runic stones in various colors and premium symbols like potions, books, staffs, and of course, Merlin himself. The standout visual feature is the Dragon Egg, which acts as both a wild and scatter symbol. Its mystical glow and animation when active are impressive without being distracting. 

Overall, the graphical polish is what you’d expect from Play’n GO—nothing revolutionary, but professional, atmospheric, and visually coherent with the game’s theme.

Gameplay Mechanics 

Merlin: Journey of Flame sticks to a 5-reel, 3-row format with 10 paylines in the base game. Standard line wins require matching symbols to land on adjacent reels from left to right, starting from the first reel. However, the real magic is unlocked during the free spins, when a sixth reel enters the equation. 

This hidden reel creates additional symbol positions and dramatically increases the potential for high-value combinations. While it’s inactive in the base game, the tension builds as players anticipate unlocking it in the bonus round. This delayed gratification structure keeps gameplay engaging even during dry spells. 

The game’s high volatility ensures that while base game wins are usually modest, the potential for explosive outcomes in free spins is substantial.

Sound and Music 

The soundtrack leans into an epic fantasy vibe, with moody ambient music and mystical undertones that suit the setting. Echoes of distant growls and the occasional roar add to the sense that a dragon might be lurking just beyond the reels. 

When wins hit, especially during bonus features, the audio ramps up with dramatic flourishes—think orchestral swells and fiery crackles. The Dragon Egg symbol has a signature sound effect when landing, helping to distinguish it as a key component of the game. 

Overall, the sound design is immersive and enhances the gameplay without ever becoming overwhelming.

Bonus Features 

Dragon Egg Wild / Scatter

The Dragon Egg is a multifunctional symbol that serves both as the wild (substituting for any regular pay symbol) and the scatter, which triggers the free spins bonus. Free Spins + Sixth Reel 

Landing 3, 4, or 5 Dragon Eggs triggers 8 free spins and awards an instant payout of 2x, 20x, or 200x the bet respectively. The real magic, however, begins when the sixth reel unlocks for the bonus round. 

At the start of the free spins, one regular symbol is randomly chosen as the special expanding symbol. When this symbol lands and is part of a win, it expands to cover the entire reel and pays from any position, not just adjacent ones. 

Thanks to the sixth reel, there’s more potential for expanded symbols to align, especially when retriggers occur. Landing 3 or more Dragon Eggs again during the bonus round awards an additional 8 free spins, and there is no cap on retriggers. 

This combination of expanding symbols and a sixth reel creates an engine capable of massive wins, especially if premium symbols are selected for expansion. 

Gamble Feature 

After any win, players can opt to activate the Gamble Feature, a classic double-or-nothing mini-game. You choose the color or suit of a face-down card: 

• Correct color = 2x win 

• Correct suit = 4x win 

You can gamble up to 5 times in succession, and up to 250x the base win. It’s a risky but fun feature for players looking to boost small or medium wins. 

Betting Options and Payouts 

Merlin: Journey of Flame supports wagers from €0.10 to €100 per spin, accommodating both conservative and aggressive players. The flexibility in betting, combined with the high RTP of 96.28%, makes it suitable for a range of bankrolls—though its high volatility does suggest better performance with a deeper session budget. 

Payouts are typical of a “book-style” slot: 

• Low-paying symbols (stones): 10x–12.5x for 5-of-a-kind 

• Premium symbols (Merlin, book, staff, etc.): 50x–500x for 5-of-a-kind 

Where things really ramp up is with the sixth reel: 

• Six-symbol low pay: 15x–20x the bet 

• Six-symbol high pay: 100x–750x the bet 

With the right symbol selected for expansion and a few lucky full-screen hits, reaching the max win of 7,500x the stake becomes a realistic (if rare) goal.

Conclusion 

Merlin: Journey of Flame may not be the most groundbreaking release from Play’n GO, but it does enough to distinguish itself in a genre that’s been done to death. Yes, it’s essentially a clone of Scroll of Dead, but it’s a well-made one, and the Arthurian theme—paired with a fiery sixth reel mechanic—makes the ride feel fresh. 

The expanding symbol feature is as satisfying as ever, especially when paired with high-paying symbols and retriggers. The ability to unlock a sixth reel only during free spins builds excitement and transforms what would otherwise be a standard bonus round into something a little more special. 

While purists may roll their eyes at another book-style release, those who enjoy this format will find Merlin: Journey of Flame a welcome and high-performing addition. The design is solid, the sound complements the action, and the gameplay offers enough variance and potential to keep both casual and serious slot players entertained.