Play Rise Of Merlin Online For Free

Detailed Rise of Merlin Review

What hooked me in Rise of Merlin is the expanding symbol mechanic. You trigger free spins by landing three or more crystal balls, which choose a random symbol that can fill entire reels and set up bigger wins. This 5-reel, 10-payline Play’n GO slot runs at 96.58% RTP and is high volatility, with up to 5,000x possible on a single spin.

If you’re a fan of bonuses that snowball with retriggers and build suspense on every spin, you’ll want to give this one a shot. Short bursts of tension, then big paydays if it hits.

Looking for more fantasy or “book” style slots? Check out our slots page.

Rise of Merlin: The Basics & How to Play

Rise of Merlin uses a 5×3 reel grid with 10 fixed paylines. Wins pay left to right only. You can choose spin amounts from 0.01 up to 100, with all 10 lines active at all times.

The crystal ball symbol acts as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for other symbols and triggers free spins when three or more land anywhere on the reels.

• Free spins are awarded as follows: 3, 4, or 5 crystal balls grant 8 free spins.
• At the start of free spins, one regular symbol is randomly chosen to become an expanding symbol.
• When this symbol lands, it can expand to cover all positions on its reel and pays on any active line.
• If you land 3+ crystal balls during free spins, the bonus retriggers and another symbol becomes an expander, up to a maximum of nine.
• The crystal ball symbol pays scatter wins in addition to line wins.

There’s also a game feature after any win. You can try to double or quadruple your payout by guessing the color or suit of a hidden card.

Rise of Merlin RTP & Volatility

Rise of Merlin has a published Return to Player (RTP) of 96.58%. This means that, over many spins, the slot is programmed to pay back 96.58% of all plays, which is above the industry average. For more slots with strong payout percentages, check our high RTP slots list.

The slot is generally rated as high volatility. High volatility means that big wins are possible, but they may come with longer dry spells between payouts. This suits players who enjoy the risk and reward balance of waiting for a major feature or payout. There is no published hit frequency for this title.

How to Win on Rise of Merlin: Symbols & Payouts

All wins are paid for matching symbols left to right along the 10 fixed paylines. Payouts below are multiples of the line spin.

• Merlin is the top-paying regular symbol, awarding up to 5,000x the line spin for five on a payline.
• The crystal ball functions as both wild and scatter. It substitutes for all symbols and also pays the same as Merlin for line wins.
• Three or more crystal balls anywhere pay scatter prizes and trigger free spins.
• Red dragon, owl, and white dragon are the next highest value, with red dragon paying 1,600x and the other two at 600x for five.
• High card symbols (A, K, Q, J, 10) pay smaller amounts.

During free spins, any chosen expanding symbol can fill entire reels and pay on all lines, even if the symbols aren’t adjacent.

Rise of Merlin Max Win

The maximum win in Rise of Merlin is 5,000x your total spin. This happens when you land a full screen of either Merlin or crystal ball symbols in the base game or free spins. Expanding symbols in the bonus round make it more achievable.

Rise of Merlin Strategy & Winning Tips

There’s no way to force or tweak when the free spins bonus drops in Rise of Merlin — the random number generator decides every spin. When I ran the demo, it reminded me just how rarely the free spins trigger, but when you do land retriggers, your chances genuinely multiply with each new expanding symbol.

I’d keep my spin size small at first to stretch your playtime. The free spins bonus comes and goes in streaks. If you’re patient, that’s when things can heat up fast.

If you use the game feature, remember that every double-up attempt is a 50/50 or 1-in-4 shot. Past spins never affect future outcomes, so always treat each round as independent.

Big hits or long droughts — there’s not much in between.

Rise of Merlin Visuals & Design

Rise of Merlin opts for a 2D fantasy art style with detailed character and beast symbols. Behind the reels, you’ll spot a magical hall full of glowing pillars and swirling energy.

Landing a major win triggers flashy magical effects and glowing symbol animations. The soundtrack instantly sets the fantasy vibe, with orchestral flourishes and shimmering note effects on feature triggers.

Animations run smoothly, keeping up a magical atmosphere from start to finish. Bonus round sounds deliver a suspenseful kick. It’s a strong look and sound combo.

Where to Play Rise of Merlin for Real Money

You can play the Rise of Merlin demo free on Gamesville.com, with no download or account required. For US players who want to play for real money, sweepstakes casinos are a popular option — learn more on our sweepstakes casinos guide.

Licensed online casinos in regulated states also offer Play’n GO titles like Rise of Merlin. Find state-approved sites on our online casinos page, or browse more free slots and bonus options on our free slots and slot bonuses pages.

Play Responsibly

Slots are built for fun, not as a main way to get prize pools. Setting a limit on how much you put in, using session timers, or hitting pause with self-exclusion tools can help you keep it light. If spinning ever stops being fun or gets stressful, it’s time for a break. There’s support out there when you need it.

Gamesville Verdict: Is Rise of Merlin a Good Slot Machine?

Rise of Merlin is a winner for anyone who’s into high volatility slots with those big, feature-driven swings. If you like “book” style play — expanding symbols, retriggers, and free spins that can spiral into huge wins — this one puts all those features under a fresh magical theme.

The best part of the game is easily the free spins. Each retrigger tacks on an extra expanding symbol, and when the bonus builds, things get really exciting. Watching two or even three symbols explode across the grid sends the suspense through the roof.

You’ll want to be prepared for dry spells, though. The highs are high, but you might go a while before the free spins bonus hits. Some may find the base game a grind if they’re short on patience or play on a limited budget.

I’d try the demo first. See if Rise of Merlin’s tempo and bonus rhythm fit your style, then chase the big rewards if you feel up for it.

Big risk, big moments. That’s the package.

Similar Slots Like Rise of Merlin

• Book of Dead: Also by Play’n GO, Book of Dead features a similar expanding symbol free spins mechanic and high volatility. It’s a classic for fans of “book” slots.
• John Hunter and the Book of Tut: This Pragmatic Play slot uses the same style of free spins with expanding symbols, but sets the action in ancient Egypt with its own twist on the formula.
• Eye of Horus: While the theme is different, Eye of Horus delivers a classic feel with symbol upgrades and expanding wilds, creating a similar anticipation during bonus rounds.

Rise of Merlin Demo FAQs