| RTP | 96.00% - Compare RTPs |
|---|---|
| Volatility | High |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Bet Range | £0.01 - £100.00 |
| Features | Wilds, Scatters |
Rise of Merlin is a high-volatility slot from Play'n GO, released in 2019 and built around a single defining mechanic: expanding symbols in a free spins round. The setup will be familiar to anyone who has played Book of Dead - one special symbol is chosen at random before the bonus begins, and that symbol expands to fill the entire reel whenever it lands. That structure has been reproduced across dozens of games since Book of Dead popularised it, but Rise of Merlin brings enough visual quality and mechanical depth to justify its place in the catalogue.
The game runs on 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 paylines. Bets range from £0.01 to £100, and the standard RTP is 96.58%, though some operators configure it at lower settings. Maximum win is 5,000x stake.
The Free Spins Feature
Three or more crystal ball scatter symbols anywhere on the reels trigger 8 free spins. Before the round begins, one standard symbol is chosen at random as the expanding symbol for that session. When that symbol lands on any reel during the free spins, it expands to cover the full reel height - all three rows - and holds in place for win calculation. A fully-expanded symbol covering multiple reels on a 10-payline grid can produce substantial returns.
The retrigger mechanic is where the round's real potential comes from. Landing 3 or more scatter symbols during free spins adds another 8 spins and introduces a second expanding symbol. A third retrigger adds a third. With three different expanding symbols active simultaneously, the number of combinations capable of producing full-reel coverage on multiple reels increases significantly. Theoretically the feature can retrigger indefinitely, though in practice the retrigger frequency is low.
The maximum win of 5,000x is achievable only with multiple expanding symbols covering the same reels on the same spin. The probability of reaching the absolute maximum is approximately 1 in 8.7 million spins - useful to know when calibrating expectations before a session.
Base Game and Symbols
The base game plays quietly. Paylines run left to right from reel 1, and wins are formed by matching 3 or more of the same symbol. The paytable has a typical Play'n GO high-volatility structure: low-value playing card royals (10, J, Q, K, A) pay small amounts that are easily outrun by losses, while the premium symbols - Merlin himself, an owl, a staff, and a medallion - carry the meaningful base-game return.
There is a wild symbol (a magical orb) that substitutes for all standard symbols but not the scatter. Wilds do land in the base game but the grid is small at 10 paylines, so their impact is limited unless they fill high-value positions.
The scatter is the crystal ball - it pays a fixed prize of 2x, 5x or 20x the total bet for 3, 4 or 5 on the reels simultaneously, in addition to triggering free spins. That direct scatter payout is a useful cushion given how rarely three or more land at once.
RTP, Volatility and Math Profile
The stated RTP of 96.58% is the figure you are most likely to encounter at well-regulated online casinos. Play'n GO also offers operators lower configurations at 94.51%, 91.51%, 87.56% and 84.55% - a range that matters. If you are playing at a casino that does not publish its configured RTP, you may be playing at a significantly different theoretical return than the headline figure suggests. Checking the in-game information panel or the casino's game-specific RTP disclosures is worth the effort for a high-volatility game like this.
Volatility is rated 10 out of 10 by most analysts. The bulk of the game's expected return is concentrated in the free spins feature, which means long stretches in the base game without meaningful wins are normal. The base game is effectively a vehicle for hitting the scatter three times. Players who find that structure frustrating - low-frequency, low-excitement base play with all potential locked in a bonus - will find this design difficult. Players who prefer a single high-variance event where the stakes feel meaningful tend to respond better.
Design and Theme
The setting is a stone hall with arched windows and candles - a medieval great hall rendered in muted greens and blues. Merlin appears in the premium symbol and in the background, where he watches proceedings from behind the reels. The aesthetic is earnest without being garish, and Play'n GO's art quality at this point in their catalogue was strong.
Audio matches the visual tone: orchestral strings, occasional magical flourishes when features trigger. The expanding symbol animation is the most visually active element - the chosen symbol fills the reel with a smooth sweep rather than an abrupt pop, which gives the moment a proper sense of drama.
The game predates some of Play'n GO's more complex productions but holds up well. It is not the most ambitious slot they have made, but the core mechanic is executed cleanly.
Mobile Play
Rise of Merlin is built in HTML5 and works in any modern mobile browser without a separate app or download. The 5x3 grid is compact enough to display cleanly on phone screens in both portrait and landscape. The expanding symbol animation is legible at smaller sizes, which matters since the visual signal of which symbol is expanding is the key moment of the round. Autoplay and Turbo options are available across all platforms.
How It Compares to Book of Dead and Rise of Olympus
The mechanical blueprint of Book of Dead is the same: expanding symbol free spins, triggered by three scatters, with retrigger potential adding further rounds and symbols. Book of Dead, released in 2016 by Play'n GO, established the format. Rise of Merlin arrived three years later with a higher standard RTP (96.58% vs 96.21%) and the retrigger system that adds expanding symbols rather than simply resetting the spin count.
The retrigger mechanic is the meaningful addition. In Book of Dead, retriggering just extends the run with the same single symbol. In Rise of Merlin, each retrigger introduces a new symbol, increasing the surface area of potential full-reel coverage. In practice, getting to a third expanding symbol is rare, but when it happens the acceleration in win potential is real.
Rise of Olympus takes a different structural approach - it is also a Play'n GO game with a strong mythological theme, but uses a 5x5 grid with cluster pays rather than the traditional 5x3 payline format. If you prefer the theme of powerful figures and high drama but want a different mechanic to the expanding symbol format, Rise of Olympus is the natural comparison.
Who Is This Slot For
Rise of Merlin suits players who are specifically seeking the expanding-symbol free spins format and want a high-standard execution of it from a reputable provider. The RTP at its standard setting is competitive, the theme is polished, and the retrigger mechanic adds a layer of escalation that the simpler versions of the format lack.
It is not suited to players who want frequent feature triggers, complex bonus structures, or meaningful base-game entertainment. The base game is lean to the point of being sparse. Everything worthwhile happens in the free spins, and reaching them requires patience with a high-volatility structure that will produce runs of nothing.
Summary
Rise of Merlin by Play'n GO is a high-volatility expanding-symbol slot with a 96.58% standard RTP and a max win of 5,000x stake. The free spins round adds a second and third expanding symbol on each retrigger - the main mechanical difference from the Book of Dead format it follows. Solid presentation, clean mechanics, 10 paylines on a 5x3 grid.
- Developer: Play'n GO
- Reels / Paylines: 5 reels, 10 fixed paylines
- RTP: 96.58% (standard)
- Volatility: High
- Bet range: £0.01 - £100
- Key features: Expanding Symbol Free Spins, Retrigger with additional symbols
- Max win: 5,000x stake
- Free spins: Yes (8, retriggerable)
What is the RTP of Rise of Merlin?
The standard RTP for Rise of Merlin is 96.58%. Some operators configure it at lower settings (94.51%, 91.51%, 87.56% or 84.55%), so it is worth checking the in-game information panel if your casino does not publish its configured RTP.
How does the expanding symbol mechanic work in Rise of Merlin?
Before the free spins round begins, one symbol is selected at random as the expanding symbol. When that symbol lands on any reel during the free spins, it expands to cover all three rows of that reel. Each retrigger adds a new expanding symbol - up to three can be active simultaneously.
How many free spins do you get in Rise of Merlin?
Landing three or more crystal ball scatter symbols triggers 8 free spins. Retriggering by landing 3 or more scatters during the bonus adds another 8 spins and a second expanding symbol. There is no cap on retriggering.
What is the maximum win in Rise of Merlin?
The maximum win is 5,000x your total stake. Reaching this requires multiple expanding symbols to cover the same reels simultaneously during free spins. The probability of hitting the absolute maximum is approximately 1 in 8.7 million spins.
Is Rise of Merlin similar to Book of Dead?
Yes - both games use the same expanding symbol mechanic during free spins, triggered by three scatter symbols. Rise of Merlin was released by Play'n GO in 2019 and adds a retrigger system where each additional retrigger introduces a new expanding symbol, increasing win potential beyond the single-symbol format of Book of Dead.
What volatility is Rise of Merlin?
Rise of Merlin is a high-volatility slot, rated 10 out of 10. The base game produces few significant wins; the majority of the game's return potential is concentrated in the free spins bonus round.
Where to Play Rise Of Merlin
We're currently updating our casino list for Rise Of Merlin. In the meantime, browse our full casino reviews or check out current free spins offers.
Rise Of Merlin RTP and Variance
Rise Of Merlin has an RTP of 96.00%, which is above average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. High volatility means wins come less often but tend to be significantly larger. Explore our high volatility slots guide.
At the minimum bet of £0.01 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 1,000 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.60. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.