Play’n GO, a leading developer in the iGaming industry, has recently added a new chapter to its acclaimed Merlin series. The latest game, Merlin: Journey of Flame, serves as a prequel to the previous games in the series, namely Merlin and the Ice Queen Morgana (2021) and Rise of Merlin (2019). This new game introduces players to a younger and more daring Merlin, who embarks on a fiery adventure after finding a rare Dragon’s Egg in a marshy lake.
Gameplay and Unique Features
Merlin: Journey of Flame shares some similarities with the well-received title Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead (2016), particularly in its use of the Expanding Symbol mechanics, which significantly enhances the gameplay experience. In this game, players are tasked with opening Merlin’s Book of Spells and landing three or more Colored Runes to claim victory. Merlin himself is a high-paying symbol, while the Dragon Egg serves as a standard Wild symbol, and its cracked version acts as the game’s Scatter symbol.
Before the Bonus Spins kick-off, a Special Expanding Symbol is randomly selected. Whenever a winning combination is achieved, this symbol expands to cover the reels. If the chosen symbol happens to be a high-paying symbol like Merlin, His Staff, Potion, or Spell Book, you only need two or more reels to trigger the Expanding Symbol feature. However, if it’s a low-paying coloured Rune symbol, three or more reels must be activated to engage the Expanding Symbol mechanic.With three or more Hatched Dragon Egg Scatters, players can unlock up to eight Bonus Spins. What’s more, they’ll also gain access to an additional sixth reel, increasing the opportunities for enchanting victories.
The Gamble Spell
Merlin’s incredible skill, the Gamble Spell, holds immense potential, although not without risk. This spell gets activated when wins fall below 2500 coins. Through a thrilling mini-game, players have the chance to double their prizes by guessing the correct colour. However, there is a limit. Merlin can only cast the Gamble Spell up to five times in a row or summon a maximum of 2500 coins. To make the most of this feature, players are urged to strategize and make thoughtful decisions.George Olekszy, Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, shared his enthusiasm about the new game. He said, “Merlin: Journey of Flame is a truly magical title, and we’re thrilled to expand the rich mythology of the Merlin IP.” He further added, “This game combines elements from various corners of the Play’n GO slot portfolio to create something genuinely fresh and unique. The blend of Expanding Symbol Mechanics, powerful Scatters, and the Gamble feature with a dragon-like narrative has resulted in real magic.”