Exploring the Depths of Release the Kraken 2
Pragmatic Play’s Release the Kraken 2 plunges players back into a vibrant underwater world with a host of new features and updated gameplay mechanics. Building on the success of its predecessor, which was praised for its wild symbols and Roaming Kraken Free Spins, this sequel introduces exciting new elements to keep players engaged.jiliko
Visuals and Atmosphere
Release the Kraken 2 is a feast for the eyes, with a lively underwater setting that’s even more vibrant than the original. The game is set against a backdrop teeming with colorful seaweed, fish, and coral. The quirky characters that animate during wins add a playful touch, enhancing the game’s charm. Compared to the original’s darker, more menacing atmosphere, this sequel has a more inviting and upbeat vibe, making it a visually appealing choice for players.jiliko
Game Layout and Volatility
The game retains the familiar 5×3 reel layout with 20 paylines, which expands to 40 paylines during the free spins round. Rated highly volatile with a 5 out of 5 score by Pragmatic Play, Release the Kraken 2 offers a theoretical RTP of 96.03% at its highest settings. Activating the Ante Bet can increase the RTP to 96.01%, adding an extra layer of strategy for players looking to enhance their chances of triggering special features.jiliko
Pay Symbols and Payouts
The paytable in Release the Kraken 2 includes nine symbols: the 10-A card ranks and four deep-sea creatures, with the fiery ‘7’ being the top-paying symbol. Five-of-a-kind wins on card symbols pay between 1 and 2 times the stake, while premium symbols offer between 3 and 10 times the bet. Wild symbols, represented by the Kraken, appear on all reels and can pay up to 20x the bet for a five-of-a-kind line, adding significant value to the gameplay.jiliko
New Slot Features
Release the Kraken 2 introduces several new features that enhance the gaming experience:
- Wild Respin: Triggered when four or more wilds land after a payout. Wilds remain on the grid but shift positions, while the rest of the symbols are respun. Additional wilds grant extra respins, continuing until no new wilds appear.
- Shifting Stack Wilds: These symbols appear randomly on reels 2, 3, or 4. They shift to cover the entire reel they land on after the spin, with their multipliers increasing by +1 for each position they nudge. The resulting wins are then multiplied by the combined multiplier.
- Guaranteed Win: On a non-winning spin, the Kraken may appear to rearrange symbols, creating a win worth 20-50x the bet. This feature can also cause scatter symbols to appear, triggering the free spins.jiliko
Free Spins Feature
Landing three or more scatter symbols activates the free spins feature, where a mini-game determines the number of spins and win multiplier. The mini-game has a Deal or No Deal twist:
- 3 Scatters: Award 4 to 15 free spins with a multiplier up to 6x.
- 4 Scatters: Award 5 to 20 free spins with a multiplier up to 10x.
- 5 Scatters: Award 6 to 20 free spins with a multiplier up to 10x.
Players choose from 16 boxes containing a mix of free spins and multipliers. They can accept or reject offers, with the possibility of removing options to get better deals. The feature ends with the selection of one final box. During free spins, the multiplier applies to all wins, paylines increase to 40, and wilds remain on the reels, moving to a random position after each spin. Golden wilds further boost the multiplier by +1, but free spins cannot be retriggered.jiliko
Buying Free Spins
Players have the option to purchase two types of bonuses:
- Standard Free Spins: Costs 100x the bet, offering a chance to land 3-5 scatter symbols (RTP 96.03%).
- VIP Free Spins: Costs 250x the bet, guaranteeing a 5 scatter symbol trigger (RTP 96.05%).
This option allows players to bypass the randomness and directly access the free spins feature.jiliko
Verdict: A Polished Sequel
Release the Kraken 2 delivers a polished and entertaining experience with a vibrant underwater theme and a fresh set of features. The more playful tone contrasts sharply with the darker ambiance of the original game, appealing to those who prefer a lighter atmosphere. While the sequel might not include some features from the first game, like the pick-and-click elements and Kraken Locking Wilds, it compensates with new additions such as Wild Respins and Shifting Stack Wilds.jiliko
The Deal or No Deal-style mini-game for free spins adds an engaging twist, offering a dynamic and interactive element to the bonus round. However, the reduced maximum win cap of 5,000x the bet, down from the original’s higher potential, might disappoint some players. Despite this, Release the Kraken 2 remains an enjoyable slot that balances traditional features with new twists, making it a worthwhile sequel in the Pragmatic Play lineup.jiliko