In the misty valley of Avalon, in a tower reaching into the clouds, the great wizard Merlin studies ancient tomes. He seeks not gold or power. He seeks knowledge that can control the very fabric of reality. The Rise of Merlin slot, created by Play'n GO in June 2019, invites players to become disciples of this legendary magician. This is not just a fantasy-themed game. It is an immersion into the world of alchemy and prophecy, where each spin is a new spell and the bonus round is a ritual capable of changing destiny. To master this magic, you need not only a grimoire, but also a reliable place to practise, such as betmacs.com.
Analysis of the magic formula: The evolution of ‘book’ mechanics
At first glance, Rise of Merlin follows the classic formula of ‘book’ slots. The playing field is 5x3, with 10 customisable paylines and one symbol that is both a wild and a scatter symbol — a crystal ball. Three such balls trigger a bonus round, before which one special expanding symbol is randomly selected. All this is familiar to anyone who has ever played similar slots.
But Play'n GO went further. They asked themselves, ‘What if the magic keeps growing?’ The key difference and genius of Rise of Merlin lies in the retrigger mechanic. If three crystal balls appear again on the field during free spins, the player doesn't just get an additional 8 spins. The game selects another special expanding symbol.
Now the player has two. This process can be repeated until all nine regular symbols become special. This completely changes the psychology of the game. The disappointment of getting a ‘cheap’ symbol at the beginning is replaced by the hope that it will work in tandem with an ‘expensive’ symbol that will appear during the next retrigger. The bonus round turns from a lottery into a process of accumulating power, where each retrigger is a new level of initiation into magical secrets.
The Alchemist's Tower: Visual and Audio Performance
The atmosphere of the game is its strong point. The action takes place in Merlin's observatory, bathed in blue light. Stone arches, mysterious mechanisms and a starry sky create a sense of mystery and power. The visual style is executed in Play'n GO's signature, detailed manner. The symbols on the reels are attributes of magic: Merlin himself, an owl, and red and white dragons. All of them are drawn with great attention to detail.
The soundtrack enhances the immersive effect. Epic, mysterious music with choral interludes creates a feeling of touching something great. The sounds of the reels spinning are like the rustling of the pages of an ancient book, and the falling of crystal balls is accompanied by a growing hum that makes your heart beat faster. These are not just sounds, they are part of the spell that is being cast on the screen.
Features of the main game mode
The main game in Rise of Merlin is preparation for the main ritual. It has high volatility, which means that wins can be rare but significant. The Merlin symbol is the highest paying, and a combination of five such symbols on a single line can bring a big win even without bonuses.
The main element that keeps the tension high in the base game is the crystal ball. Not only does it substitute for other symbols, but it also heralds a miracle. The appearance of two balls on the field triggers a dramatic slowdown of the last reel. This simple but effective technique creates incredible tension and makes you wait with bated breath to see if the third, coveted symbol will appear.
Final assessment and conclusions
Rise of Merlin is a brilliant example of how you can take a time-tested and beloved mechanic and breathe new life into it. Play'n GO didn't try to reinvent the wheel. They took the world's best racing car and gave it the ability to continuously improve its engine right in the middle of the race.
The game strikes the perfect balance between familiar gameplay and innovative ideas. It appeals to both fans of classic ‘book’ slots and those who seek depth and progression in their games. Watching the arsenal of expanding symbols grow with each retrigger is a unique and incredibly exciting experience.
This is a slot for those who appreciate not only the result, but also the process itself. For those who are willing to patiently study spells in the main game in order to unleash the full power of magic in the bonus round. Rise of Merlin is not just a game about a wizard. It is a game about how order is born out of chance, and how a simple apprentice becomes a great archmage capable of filling the entire screen with golden dragons.
Â
