Release the Kraken Slot: Dive into Bonus Features and Max Win
Release the Kraken Slot Review: Free Spins, Wild Features and Megaways
The Release the Kraken slot takes players beneath the ocean's surface, where colorful sea creatures share the reels with a giant, unpredictable monster. Released by Pragmatic Play in 2020, the game combines traditional paylines with unusual wild features and two distinct bonus rounds.
If you're exploring underwater-themed slots at Aslot, this guide explains how the original works, what its RTP and maximum payout mean, and how it compares with the newer Megaways version.
Release the Kraken Slot: Key Features
The original game uses five reels, four rows, and 20 fixed paylines. Winning combinations are evaluated along those lines rather than through a cluster or Megaways system.
Its main characteristics include:
Provider: Pragmatic Play
Release Date: January 30, 2020
Reels and Rows: 5×4
Paylines: 20 during regular spins, 40 during free spins
Standard RTP: 96.50%
Volatility: High
Maximum Win: 10,000x the stake
Bonus Features: Kraken Wild modifiers, Sunken Treasure Bonus, and Roaming Kraken Free Spins
The symbols include sharks, turtles, fish, and traditional card ranks. Wild symbols can replace regular paying symbols to complete winning combinations, but they don't substitute for special bonus symbols.
How the Kraken Wild Features Work
One reason the Release the Kraken slot feels different from a basic five-reel game is that random modifiers can change an ordinary spin before its result is calculated.
Three features are particularly important:
Infectious Kraken Wilds: A special wild appears and transforms adjacent symbols into additional wilds, potentially creating new winning combinations.
Colossal Kraken Wilds: An oversized 3×4 wild symbol covers a large portion of the grid, allowing multiple paylines to benefit from its presence.
Kraken Locking Wilds: A selection feature can introduce locked wild symbols and additional enhancements before the round finishes.
These modifiers activate randomly. Changing your bet size, waiting for particular symbols, or watching previous results cannot make them appear.
Sunken Treasure Bonus and Free Spins
The original Release the Kraken slot has two separate bonus outcomes, determined by special symbols appearing on reels one, three, and five.
Sunken Treasure Bonus
When qualifying bonus symbols appear on the first and third reels alongside a treasure chest symbol on the fifth, the Sunken Treasure Bonus begins.
Players open treasure chests to reveal prizes or multiplier values. The feature continues until a Collect result appears, ending the round and awarding the accumulated amount.
This is a separate prize-selection feature rather than a traditional free spins round.
Roaming Kraken Free Spins
The free spins feature activates when bonus symbols appear on reels one and three, accompanied by a Free Spins symbol on reel five.
Before the round begins, players reveal hidden items that determine how many free spins they receive.
During the bonus:
The number of paylines increases from 20 to 40.
Wild symbols remain active throughout the feature.
Roaming wilds move to different positions between spins.
A progressive multiplier increases as qualifying wilds appear.
The multiplier can reach 10x, potentially increasing payouts from subsequent winning combinations.
Despite these additional features, free spins don't guarantee a profitable result. The number of wilds and winning combinations remains random.
Release the Kraken RTP, Volatility and Max Win
The standard Return to Player (RTP) for Release the Kraken is 96.50%. Lower configurations, including 95.50% and 94.50%, also exist.
RTP represents the theoretical average return over a very large number of wagers. For example, 96.50% corresponds to an average long-term return of $96.50 for every $100 wagered.
It doesn't mean you'll receive that amount back during an individual session.
The game is classified as high volatility. Significant payouts are possible, but they may be separated by extended periods of smaller wins or losses.
The maximum advertised payout is 10,000x the stake. At a $1 bet, that represents a theoretical maximum win of $10,000.
However, reaching this amount is exceptionally rare. The original game doesn't feature a progressive jackpot; its largest payouts come from its regular and bonus mechanics.
Always check the active RTP and paytable before playing at Aslot.
Release the Kraken Slot Demo and Bonus Buy
The release the kraken slot demo is a useful starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the game.
Using virtual credits, you can explore the main features without risking real money. Demo play is particularly helpful for understanding how the Kraken wild modifiers work and recognizing the different bonus triggers.
If you're reading a release the kraken slot review before trying the game, consider starting with the demo rather than immediately placing real-money bets.
Some casino implementations may offer a Bonus Buy option that provides direct access to a bonus round. However, this feature isn't universally available and may be restricted depending on the game version and jurisdiction.
Even when Bonus Buy is available, purchasing a feature doesn't guarantee a payout that covers its cost.
Release the Kraken Megaways Slot: What's Different?
The release the kraken megaways slot, released in October 2024, is a separate sequel that changes the original gameplay considerably.
Instead of five reels and fixed paylines, Megaways uses six changing reels with up to 117,649 ways to win.
Its main differences include:
Dynamic Reels: The number of visible symbols changes between spins, creating different winning possibilities.
Roaming Wild Respins: Landing three or more wilds activates a respin sequence. Wilds move to new positions, and additional wilds can extend the feature.
Mystery Symbols: Special symbols can transform into matching paying symbols.
Free Spins: Three or more scatters trigger six initial free spins, with treasure chests providing additional modifiers.
Bonus Multipliers: Roaming wilds can increase the multiplier when multiple wilds occupy the same position.
Megaways also offers a maximum payout of 10,000x the stake.
The main distinction is therefore the gameplay structure, not a higher maximum win.
If you prefer fixed paylines and separate treasure bonuses, the original may be easier to follow. Megaways offers a more dynamic reel system and roaming-wild mechanics.
Responsible Gaming Tips
Before playing Release the Kraken at Aslot, keep these precautions in mind:
Set a spending limit you can comfortably afford to lose.
Try the demo before placing real-money bets.
Review the RTP, paytable, and bonus rules.
Avoid increasing stakes to recover previous losses.
Take regular breaks and limit your playing time.
Never treat the advertised maximum win as an expected outcome.
High-volatility games can produce extended losing streaks. If gambling becomes stressful or difficult to control, stop playing and consider using responsible gaming tools.
Summary: Key Takeaways
The Release the Kraken slot combines classic paylines with random wild modifiers, treasure selection, and roaming-wild free spins.
Its 96.50% standard RTP and 10,000x maximum payout are worth understanding, particularly given the game's high volatility.
The Megaways version replaces fixed paylines with changing reels and introduces a different collection of bonus features.
For newcomers, demo play is a practical way to compare the two versions before risking real money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Release the Kraken available in demo mode?
Yes. Pragmatic Play provides an official demo using virtual credits. Availability at individual casinos may vary.
What is the maximum win in Release the Kraken?
The original and Megaways versions both offer a maximum payout of 10,000x the stake.
What is the RTP of Release the Kraken?
The original game's standard RTP is 96.50%. Lower configurations may be offered by some casinos.
Does Release the Kraken have a Bonus Buy feature?
Some versions may offer Bonus Buy, depending on the operator and jurisdiction. Check the game's information panel for availability.
What is the difference between Release the Kraken and Megaways?
The original uses 20 fixed paylines and two distinct bonus rounds. Megaways offers up to 117,649 ways to win, roaming-wild respins, and bonus modifiers.
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