Rise of Merlin, a popular slot title available at Richard Casino, transports players to a realm of magic and ancient sorcery. The gameplay unfolds on a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 paylines. Winning combinations are formed by landing three or more matching symbols from left to right across these paylines. At its core, the game focuses on the expanding wilds feature, triggered by the Merlin symbol itself. When Merlin appears on a reel, he expands to cover the entire reel, acting as a wild symbol that can substitute for all other symbols to complete winning combinations.
The game's appeal lies in its combination of a familiar theme with dynamic bonus features. The Return to Player (RTP) for Rise of Merlin is typically around 96.19%, placing it within the average range for online slots. Its volatility is rated as high, meaning that while wins may be less frequent, they have the potential to be substantial. The main bonus feature is the Free Spins round, activated when three or more Scatter symbols (represented by the crystal ball) land on the reels. Before the free spins commence, one symbol is randomly chosen to become an 'Expanding Symbol' for the duration of the feature. If this symbol lands on the reels in a winning combination, it will also expand to cover its entire reel, awarding additional wins.
For players new to Rise of Merlin, a practical tip is to observe the symbol selection during the free spins. While the outcome is random, understanding which symbols have been chosen as expanding symbols can help inform your betting strategy for that particular bonus round. The presence of multiple expanding symbols, especially higher-paying ones, can lead to significant payouts during the free spins, making this feature the primary draw for many players.
