Mermaids (NetEnt) Slot Review

Mermaids: Slot Overview

Mermaids is an ocean-themed slot developed by NetEnt and released on July 4, 2024. This game immerses players in a mythical underwater world featuring sirens, treasure, coral reefs, and submerged palace towers. It employs a classic 5×3 reel setup with 20 fixed paylines, blending traditional slot gameplay with innovative collection-based mechanics centered on three types of Progress Wilds. These wilds build toward unlocking tiered bonus features, creating a structured progression system that rewards sustained play.

Designed for high-volatility enthusiasts, Mermaids targets players who appreciate strategic accumulation, fantasy immersion, and moderate hit frequencies rather than rapid-fire action. With an RTP of 96.09% and a maximum win potential of 1,974.3x the bet, it appeals to casual and mid-stakes gamblers seeking a serene yet rewarding underwater adventure, though its cap may not satisfy ultra-high-roller jackpot hunters.

Design and Graphics

The visual presentation of Mermaids upholds NetEnt‘s reputation for polished fantasy slots, delivering a captivating underwater aesthetic. The background showcases vibrant coral reefs, ancient stone statues, and towering submerged palace structures, enhanced by bright lighting and sparkling particle effects that simulate depth and magical illumination beneath the waves.Central to the design are four distinct mermaid characters, each differentiated by unique hair colors and elegant designs, serving as the premium symbols. These contrast sharply with the standard royal card symbols (9 through A), which adopt a thematic underwater sheen but remain recognizable. The reels are framed within a golden clamshell structure, adding to the treasure-hunt narrative. Above the grid, glowing orb-shaped Progress Globes provide clear, real-time visual feedback on collection progress toward bonus unlocks.

Animations are smooth and thematic: mermaid symbols come alive with fluid movements upon winning combinations, while particle bursts and subtle glows accompany wild appearances and feature triggers. The overall cohesion creates a whimsical, immersive sea kingdom feel, with high-quality rendering ensuring clarity across devices. This aesthetic prioritizes fantasy charm over hyper-realism, making it visually engaging for extended sessions without fatigue.

Gameplay Mechanics

Mermaids features a straightforward 5-reel, 3-row grid with 20 fixed paylines, where winning combinations form from left to right starting on the first reel. Basic rules follow conventional slot norms: matching three or more symbols on a payline yields payouts, with some mermaid symbols rewarding wins from just two matches for heightened accessibility.

The core innovation is the Progress Wild mechanic, introducing three collectible types—Purple, Green, and White—that accumulate in dedicated Progress Globes above the reels. Each of the four mermaid symbols contributes to these collections when appearing as or alongside Progress Wilds. Standard wilds substitute for regular symbols (except Progress Wilds themselves) primarily during bonus features to form wins. This system fosters a mission-like progression, encouraging players to persist through base game spins to fill globes and trigger features.

Paytable payouts emphasize the mermaids’ value, with royals offering lower rewards and premiums scaling higher for full lines. Hit frequency is rated moderately at 3/5, balancing frequent small wins with potential for larger base game hits via wild assistance.

This setup ensures base gameplay flows predictably while building anticipation through visible progress trackers, differentiating Mermaids from purely random slots.

Bonus Features

Mermaids’ bonuses revolve around the tiered Progress Wild collection system, where Purple, Green, and White Wilds fill separate globes. Collections persist across spins and do not reset upon feature triggers, allowing simultaneous progress toward multiple modes. Thresholds unlock distinct features, each enhancing win potential through free spins or instant rewards.

The Picker Bonus (Purple) grants 3 random picks from options like instant wins (2x to 50x bet), Wild Spins, or Mermaid Spins, adding unpredictability without halting other collections.Wild Spins (Green) awards 10 free spins with 2 to 6 random wilds added per spin, boosting combination potential. Green Progress Wilds are absent here to streamline focus on payouts.

Mermaid Spins (White), the premium feature, also provides 10 free spins with 2 to 6 random wilds per spin, but removes low-paying royal symbols (9-A), elevating high-value mermaid hits. White Progress Wilds do not appear, prioritizing pure win generation.

Standard wilds aid all features by substituting for non-wild symbols. This multi-layered system promotes long-term engagement, though higher thresholds demand patience for top-tier activation.

Betting Options and Payouts

Mermaids accommodates a wide audience with bets ranging from €0.10 to €40 per spin, suiting low-stakes explorers and mid-level players without high-roller extremes. Payline structure is fixed at 20, simplifying wager adjustments focused solely on coin value and level.

The RTP of 96.09% positions it competitively within industry norms, theoretically returning €96.09 for every €100 wagered over infinite spins. High volatility (5/5) manifests in prolonged dry spells punctuated by sharp payout bursts, particularly during features where wild overlays and symbol removals amplify results.

Maximum win caps at 1,974.3x the bet—achievable via stacked premium lines in Mermaid Spins or lucrative Picker Bonus outcomes—favoring consistent accumulation over singular megawins. Payout behavior rewards feature synergy, with moderate base hits sustaining play until progressions culminate in elevated volatility spikes.

Conclusion

Mermaids excels in thematic immersion and mechanical depth, with stunning underwater visuals, smooth animations, and a unique Progress Wild system that adds strategic progression to classic 5×3 gameplay. Strengths include the tiered bonuses—ranging from versatile Picker Bonus to high-potential Mermaid Spins—and a solid RTP of 96.09%, fostering engaging sessions for patient players. The €0.10 to €40 bet range enhances accessibility.

Weaknesses encompass the high volatility (5/5), which can prolong feature droughts, and a 1,974.3x max win modest by modern standards, potentially deterring thrill-seekers chasing 10,000x+ potentials. Nonetheless, its serene design and rewarding accumulation mechanics deliver a balanced, fantasy-driven experience. Players can test the slot risk-free using the built-in demo available on this page. Overall, Mermaids suits those valuing structure and aesthetics in a high-volatility package.