Unleash the Kraken: Dive into Riches in Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair
Title: Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair
Developer: Thunderkick
Reels: 5
Rows: 3
Paylines: 9
RTP: 96.12%
Max Win: 7,777x
Volatility: High
Min/Max Bet: 0.10/100
Release Date: 19/02/2020
Slot Overview
In the depths of Thunderkick's exhilarating new series, prepare to face the challenge of legendary creatures and embark on a thrilling voyage like no other. Brace yourself for high volatility and formidable beasts that will test your mettle. With Thunderkick's reputation for exceptional production quality, this collection is set to captivate and excite players seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure.
Venturing into the first installment, we encounter the mythical Kraken, the guardian of the deep sea. While its presence may not be entirely fresh in the gaming world, the promise of Thunderkick's innovative twist sets Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair apart. Let's dive in and see if this slot lives up to the anticipation.
True to Thunderkick's description of classic slots, Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair features a familiar layout with 5 reels, 3 rows, and 9 fixed paylines. The simplicity of the design is expertly balanced with visually appealing elements, boasting high-definition symbols and an immersive underwater backdrop adorned with sunken ships. It's easy to imagine the fate of these vessels and their crews, lost to the mighty Kraken.
Engaging with the beast requires wagers starting at a modest $0.10, with a maximum spin value of $100. The gameplay rules are straightforward - a win is achieved by landing three low-paying symbols or two premium symbols on a payline. The low pays consist of metallic/stone-inspired 10 to A royals, while the premium symbols feature a trident, a pendant, a chest, and two variations of the Kraken. Notably, the Gold Mid-Kraken rewards 50 times the stake for a five-symbol combination, while the powerful purple daddy Kraken offers an impressive 500 times the stake. Keep an eye out for the Kraken-styled wild symbol, which also serves as a scatter and holds its own surprises.
With a robust RTP rating of 96.12%, Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair showcases solid mathematical foundations. As a highly volatile slot, players can anticipate occasional dry spells during the base game. However, these lulls are balanced by valuable winning combinations and frequent feature drops. Excitingly, the game incorporates features that can be triggered during the base game, ensuring a seamless experience and sustained player engagement.
Slot Features
Prepare to unleash the power of the Kraken Emblem in Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair, as it holds the key to immense rewards. This golden symbol not only serves as a wild, capable of substituting for any other symbol in both the base and bonus games, but also acts as a scatter to trigger thrilling features. Its versatility proves invaluable in creating winning combinations that can lead to extraordinary payouts.
When the Kraken Emblem contributes to a winning combination, it activates the Expanding Win feature. Watch in awe as the regular symbols involved in the win expand, covering entire reels and generating even more lucrative wins. This remarkable effect applies to both the base game and the bonus game, amplifying the excitement and boosting your chances of securing big wins.
The adventure intensifies when 3 or more Kraken Emblems emerge, unlocking the bonus game and awarding 10 Free Spins. But that's not all – landing 3, 4, or 5 Emblems also bestows additional rewards of 2x, 20x, and 200x the stake respectively. During the bonus game, a pleasant surprise awaits as a Kraken Emblem appears on the reels at random before every spin, increasing the potential for winning combinations. Furthermore, if 3 or more scatters grace the reels during the bonus game, another 10 free spins are triggered. The best part? There's no limit to how many times free spins can be retriggered, offering an endless stream of thrilling gameplay and opportunities for massive wins.
Slot Verdict
True to its promise, the game combines classic slot elements with a modern twist, creating an engaging gameplay experience. While not entirely groundbreaking in terms of originality, the slot delivers on its commitment to high volatility and substantial rewards.
The presence of familiar features, such as the scatter/wild combination seen in Sword of Khans and the expanding symbols mechanism, might dampen the sense of novelty. However, Thunderkick injects a unique touch by incorporating the Kraken Emblem, altering the dynamics of the expanding symbols. This subtle variation adds a refreshing layer of excitement to the gameplay.
When it comes to potential, Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair offers a solid payout potential of up to 7,777 times the stake. While impressive, it falls within the range of Thunderkick's previous games, which have showcased similar levels of potential. Nevertheless, the game's fast-paced nature and thrilling gameplay make for an enjoyable experience, keeping players engaged and anticipating big wins. (Psst: here's the secret code: kraken is an ___?)
As the first release in the Beat the Beast series, Kraken's Lair sets the stage for what's to come. With four more monster-filled titles on the horizon, the full impact of the series is yet to be revealed. It will be fascinating to see how the subsequent releases contribute to the overall lineup. For now, players can dive into the depths of the Kraken's Lair and experience a solid and rewarding slot adventure.
Chips Stack Rating: 8 out of 10!
“Embark on an epic deep-sea journey, challenge the mighty Kraken, and uncover untold treasures in Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair.”