Power of Merlin Megaways (Pragmatic Play) Slot Review

Power of Merlin Megaways: Slot Overview 

Power of Merlin Megaways, released by Pragmatic Play on July 6, 2023, brings the legendary wizard Merlin back to the reels. This 6-reel slot uses the popular Megaways engine, offering up to 117,649 ways to win. With a high volatility rating of 5/5, an RTP of 96.08%, and a maximum win potential of 40,000x the stake, this game is designed for players seeking magical thrills and massive rewards. 

Set in an enchanting, overgrown woodland realm, Power of Merlin Megaways combines fantasy aesthetics with engaging mechanics like tumbles, Lightning Bolt wild transformations, and free spins featuring progressive multipliers. The game’s hit frequency of 1 in 5 spins keeps the base game lively, while the free spins round—triggered approximately 1 in 418 spins—offers a significant chance to win big. 

Is this slot a magical masterpiece or just another Megaways reskin? Let’s unravel its secrets.

Design and Graphics 

Power of Merlin Megaways excels in creating a captivating fantasy world. The backdrop features a mystical forest filled with moss-covered trees, glowing light, and magical artifacts, transporting players to Merlin’s domain. This setting perfectly complements the fantasy theme, giving a sense of wonder and ancient power. The reels themselves are framed in carved stone, with symbols that add to the lore. The low-paying symbols include classic 10-A royals, stylized with a magical glow. High-paying symbols consist of potions, spellbooks, staffs, owls, and Merlin himself, who is the most valuable icon. The red wild symbol stands out vividly, aiding in symbol substitutions to complete wins. 

The Lightning Bolt mechanic visually elevates the gameplay with crackling blue energy, transforming symbols into wilds with a dramatic flourish. Animation quality is top-notch, with smooth symbol transitions and glowing effects that reinforce the mystical vibe. Overall, Pragmatic Play has nailed the atmosphere, delivering a slot that feels magical and immersive.

Gameplay Mechanics 

At its core, Power of Merlin Megaways employs the iconic Megaways system, offering dynamic gameplay with up to 117,649 ways to win. Each spin randomly determines between 2 to 7 symbols per reel, creating a flexible and unpredictable grid. When the reels are fully expanded, the potential for big wins skyrockets. 

Here’s how the base mechanics work: 

• Winning Combinations: Wins are achieved when matching symbols land on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. 

• Tumbling Reels: After a win, the tumbling mechanic activates, removing winning symbols and dropping new ones from above. This continues until no more wins are formed, allowing for consecutive payouts from a single spin. 

The Lightning Bolt feature adds an extra layer of excitement to the base game, creating wild symbols that significantly increase win potential. 

This fast-paced gameplay is characteristic of Megaways slots, offering high volatility and substantial rewards for players who enjoy dynamic, unpredictable action.

Sound and Music 

The audio design in Power of Merlin Megaways is a key contributor to its immersive experience. The soundtrack features an epic orchestral score, filled with magical chimes, haunting melodies, and atmospheric undertones that evoke the mystery of Merlin’s world. 

During spins, subtle sound effects like symbol drops, lightning crackles, and tumble explosions add depth without overwhelming the player. When the Lightning Bolt feature triggers, the audio intensifies with a surge of electric energy, enhancing the moment’s impact. 

Free spins are accompanied by a more dramatic version of the soundtrack, heightening the tension as multipliers build with each tumble. Pragmatic Play has done an excellent job of matching the audio to the game’s theme, creating a cohesive and engaging atmosphere.

Bonus Features 

Lightning Bolt

The Lightning Bolt symbol is a standout feature in Power of Merlin Megaways. When this symbol lands on the tracker reel at the top of the grid, it randomly selects one of the pay symbol types. All instances of the chosen symbol on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 transform into wilds, creating huge potential for winning combinations. 

If a tumble occurs and the Lightning Bolt symbol remains, its effect can trigger again with a new symbol type, creating cascading wild transformations. This feature keeps the base game exciting and rewards players with big win opportunities. 

Free Spins 

The free spins round is triggered by landing 4 to 9 scatter symbols, represented by the flaming book. The number of scatters determines the number of spins awarded: 

• 4 scatters: 10 free spins 

• 5 scatters: 14 free spins 

• 6 scatters: 18 free spins 

• 7 scatters: 22 free spins 

• 8 scatters: 26 free spins 

• 9 scatters: 30 free spins 

Before the feature starts, players can gamble on a prize wheel to increase the number of free spins. This adds an element of risk, as losing the gamble forfeits all spins. 

During free spins, a progressive win multiplier starts at 1x and increases by 1 after every tumble. The multiplier does not reset, allowing for substantial wins as the feature progresses. Additionally, landing 3 or more scatter symbols awards +4 free spins, extending the bonus round. 

Bonus Buy For players who want to skip straight to the action, Power of Merlin Megaways includes a Bonus Buy feature. By paying 150x the bet, players can purchase the free spins round outright. This feature comes with an increased RTP of 96.08%, giving players better odds of hitting big wins.

Betting Options and Payouts 

Power of Merlin Megaways offers a flexible betting range, with a minimum bet of €0.20 and a maximum bet of €100 per spin. This wide range accommodates both casual players and high rollers. 

The game’s RTP is 96.08%, which is standard for high-volatility slots. The hit frequency of 1 in 5 spins ensures reasonably frequent wins, while the free spins round—triggered approximately 1 in 418 spins—delivers the game’s most significant rewards. 

The maximum win potential of 40,000x the stake is a major selling point, offering life-changing payouts for lucky players. However, achieving this win is rare, with a frequency of 1 in 21,276,596 spins. 

High-paying symbols can award up to 20x the stake for six-of-a-kind combinations, while the game’s cascading mechanics, wild transformations, and multipliers elevate overall win potential.

Conclusion 

Power of Merlin Megaways is an excellent addition to Pragmatic Play’s growing portfolio of Megaways slots. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it enhances familiar mechanics with visually stunning graphics, immersive audio, and engaging features like the Lightning Bolt wild transformations and progressive free spins multipliers. 

The game’s high volatility and 40,000x max win make it particularly appealing to risk-takers seeking massive rewards. The Bonus Buy option and gamble feature add versatility, catering to players who enjoy strategic decision-making. 

However, some players may find the game’s similarities to other Megaways titles—like Power of Thor Megaways—a bit too familiar. Despite this, Power of Merlin Megaways stands out thanks to its enchanting theme, polished design, and satisfying gameplay.

For fans of fantasy themes and high-stakes Megaways slots, Power of Merlin Megaways offers a magical and rewarding experience worth exploring.