Rise of Merlin Slot Review
Free demo, RTP, volatility and max win
8.0Value score · Very good · how it works
Rise of Merlin review: Play'n GO's 2019 slot about a young Merlin, with a Magical Orb as Scatter and Wild and an expanding free spins symbol, 96.58% RTP.
- #39by value of 368 Play'n GO slots
- #435by RTP of 3,708 slots
- #14by value of 97 slots from 2019
Play Rise of Merlin free: demo, no sign-up
Free play money from Play'n GO's official demo. 18+. No deposit and no account; a demo does not predict real results.
Basic information
| Software | Play'n GO |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2019 |
| RTP | 96.58% | 94.51% | 91.51% | 87.56% | 84.55% |
| Volatility | Very high |
| Max win | Not published |
| Hit frequency | Not published |
| Features | Free spins |
| Game type | Slot |
| Data verified | 2026-09-28 |
Source: Play'n GO game page; RTP database by toolsgambling.com (CC BY 4.0); image: Play'n GO promotional image from the official game page. How we collect data · Report a mistake
Rise of Merlin review
This Play'n GO slot from 2019 shows Merlin long before his legendary years, a young wizard who casts spells with a look and carries a Magical Orb. The Orb is the centre of the design, acting as both Scatter and Wild, and the free spins add a randomly chosen expanding symbol. The catalogue rates the volatility as Very high and records five RTP versions, which affects the cost more than the story does.
The Magical Orb
The Orb does two jobs at once. As a Wild it substitutes in winning combinations, and as a Scatter it opens the free spins. Landing three or more Orbs gives eight free spins plus a payout for the number of Orbs on the reels. The studio adds that the feature can be entered at any time.
Every retrigger in the free spins gives another eight spins. The text we hold does not say how many Orbs a retrigger needs or whether there is a limit.
Expanding symbol in the free spins
At the start of the round one symbol is chosen at random to expand. How easily it expands depends on its value. If it is a high-paying symbol, two more of it on the reel trigger an expansion. If it is low-paying, at least three more are needed. The symbol that has been picked therefore sets the pace of the whole round.
The winning spell
When enough of the chosen symbol land, you receive the winnings from the spin, the symbol expands, and you are then paid for any wins on the expanded symbol as well. The studio calls this casting the winning spell.
Five RTP versions
The top RTP is 96.58%, a house edge of 3.42% and about $34.20 lost per $1,000 wagered. Four lower versions are recorded: 94.51%, 91.51%, 87.56% and 84.55%, with edges of 5.49%, 8.49%, 12.44% and 15.45%. Per $1,000 those cost $54.90, $84.90, $124.40 and $154.50.
For 100 spins at $0.20 the cost is $0.68 on the best version and $3.09 on the worst. At $1 it is $3.42 against $15.45, and at $5 ($500 wagered) $17.10 against $77.25. No max win or hit frequency is published. The 2019 release and Very high volatility are the other figures on record.
Similar Very high games
Firefly Frenzy lists 96.59% and Contact 96.55%, both from 2019, as do The Sword and The Grail at 96.53%, Honey Rush and Wild Falls at 96.5%. Legacy of Dead, from 2020, has 96.58%.
Pros
- The Magical Orb works as both Scatter and Wild
- Retriggers add another eight free spins each time
- Expanding symbol gives the free spins a clear goal
- Free official demo available
Cons
- Five RTP versions, the lowest with a 15.45% house edge
- Very high volatility
- No max win or hit frequency in our catalogue
Verdict
Rise of Merlin keeps to a tight idea: one Orb that triggers and substitutes, then a random expanding symbol in the free spins. The top RTP is 96.58% and volatility is Very high. Five versions exist, down to 84.55%, so the house edge ranges from 3.42% to 15.45%. Check the version, set a limit and try the demo before any real stakes.
Sources: Play'n GO official game page; RTP, volatility and max win from the open Slot RTP Database.
Slots like Rise of Merlin
Rise of Merlin RTP versions
5 RTP versions of Rise of Merlin are recorded. Casinos choose which one to run, so the number you get depends on where you play. Each bar shows what that version keeps on average per $1,000 wagered.
- 96.58%Highest $34.20 lost per $1,000
- 94.51% $54.90 lost per $1,000
- 91.51% $84.90 lost per $1,000
- 87.56% $124.40 lost per $1,000
- 84.55%Lowest $154.50 lost per $1,000
Cost of 100 spins
| Bet | Wagered | Average cost at 96.58% | At 84.55% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.20 | $20 | $0.68 | $3.09 |
| $1 | $100 | $3.42 | $15.45 |
| $5 | $500 | $17.10 | $77.25 |
Averages computed from the published RTP; real sessions vary widely around them. RTP calculator
Rise of Merlin max win, volatility & stats
- Value score
- 8.0 / 10
- Lost per $1,000 (average)
- $34.20
- Max win at $1 bet
- –
- Wins on average
- –
Percentiles compare this game with the 3,708 games in the catalogue. Max win: not published.
