Release the Kraken

Release the Kraken is the first of a fun series of games from Pragmatic Play based on the mythical giant octopus, the Kraken. We love this unusual theme, that sees you take on this monster of the deep and hopefully steal away some of the sunken treasure the Kraken is protecting.

Gameplay is dynamic, and with 3 random spin features, a great pick-a-prize round and a fast-paced, action-packed free spins round, Release the Kraken is right up there with one of the most adventurous sea-faring slots we’ve seen in a long time! And of course, with a top prize of 10,000x up for grabs, it’s high time you took on this legendary beast of the sea!

Design

As soon as you open the game, you’ll see how vibrant the graphics are. The blues and pinks used in Release the Kraken make this slot really pop from the screen, and the seabed filled with beautiful, flowing coral gives the game a very cute and quirky look. 

The symbols used on the 5 reels are mainly sea creatures, like turtles and fish, and each one looks a bit like a Disney character on drugs. Their eyes are all huge, with big black pupils, and they’re smiling just a little too much. But what makes this game quite unnerving is that, in contrast to the slightly maniacal but ultimately quite sweet-looking characters you find on the reels, the Kraken itself is genuinely monstrous and scary!

We love how its tentacles constantly appear during the game, twisting their way around the reels as you play. And the free spins game is where you see the Kraken truly come to life. 

Finally, with a suitably Disney-esque, Pirates of the Caribbean-style soundtrack, this game has a pretty epic atmosphere throughout. And Pragmatic Play has done a great job of creating a memorable slot that’s fast-paced and dynamic to play.

Gameplay

With 5 reels, 4 rows and 20 paylines, Release the Kraken is a textbook slot title. But with lots of added features, including 3 random spin features, a free spins game, pick-a-prize chest feature and the chance for lots of juicy multipliers, both the base game and free spins round are varied and exciting. And a great touch by Pragmatic Play is that the paylines increase from 20 to 40 during the free spins game, giving you more chances to land big cash prizes. 

When it comes to gameplay, like most slots, your aim is to match symbols on the reels, going from left to right. There are 9 symbols in play in the base game, including letters, a Release the Kraken scatter symbol and the strung-out Finding Nemo cast. And another little treat from Pragmatic is that, unlike many other slot titles, you don’t need to find 3 or more bonus symbols to trigger the extra features; you just need to find the ship on reels 1 and 3, plus either the Chest or Free Spins symbols on reel 5 and you’re off to the bonus features!

The fact that you get 2 different bonus rounds, 3 random spin features and an above-average jackpot of 10,000x make Release the Kraken a truly exciting game to play.

Win Potential 

As a highly volatile game, you could be waging your war on the Kraken for a while before you see any major wins come your way. But with an RTP of 96.50%, you get an ever-so-slightly higher-than-average return than with a lot of other titles. Plus, with loads of extra features, including up to a 10x multiplier, a little patience could see your time spent battling the legendary octopus being well worth your while. 

Furthermore, the free spins round gives you some excellent chances to land some big wins. We love the Colossal Kraken Wilds that expand to give you a 4x3 symbol, and the Sunken Treasure pick-a-prize round also has the potential to see you take home some loot. 

Finally, with a max bet of £100, and a minimum bet of just 20p, Release the Kraken is suitable for all types of players’ budgets. So why not take a chance and see if you can be the one to defeat the Kraken?

Our Verdict 

Pragmatic Plays’ Release the Kraken most certainly fits our definition of an ‘adventure’ slot. It offers a great theme, stunning graphics, an epic soundtrack and fast-paced gameplay. The addition of 3 random spin features really spices up the base game, and with 2 separate bonus features, the action doesn’t stop with this dynamic slot title. 

We love the Sunken Treasure bonus round, as well as being able to play with 40 paylines in the free spins game. Plus, with a jackpot of 10,000x, high volatility and an RTP of over 95%, Release the Kraken has the recipe for a rip-roaring evening of entertainment and some potential large cash payouts.