The world of online slots is a vast and diverse one, with countless games vying for players’ attention on any given day. While many titles focus on more traditional themes such as ancient civilizations or mythology, others opt to take a more unique approach – like the Chicken Run case with Microgaming’s "Chicken Run" slot game.
Theme
This game is based on an animated film of the same name from 2000, where chickens hatch a plan to escape their evil farmer. The title itself seems to indicate that players can look forward to some fowl play as they navigate through the reels. While not explicitly stated in the gameplay, this theme translates into various symbols and features throughout.
Design
Graphically speaking, "Chicken Run" is an endearing creation with crisp 3D animations and colorful backgrounds reminiscent of a classic animated film. The game takes place on five reels, three rows each, with up to 15 win lines available at any given time – providing ample opportunities for players to get involved.
The symbols used in the game include various chicken silhouettes, ranging from a plump pullet to a proud rooster. In addition to these avian icons, traditional card values (A-10) are scattered throughout, along with some farm-inspired extras like eggs and fences.
Symbols
- Pullet: This high-value symbol is the game’s scatter, activating free spins.
- Rooster: The wild of the game replaces any other symbols to complete winning combinations.
- Egg: Pays out up to 2000x the initial bet when five land on a payline.
- Fence: A lower-paying farm-themed icon paying up to 150x the wager.
Payouts
In terms of payouts, "Chicken Run" offers players various ways to win. Given that it has high RTP (Return-to-Player) and reasonable volatility, we can expect some consistent returns throughout the gameplay experience. Each line requires a minimum bet per spin, which ranges from $0.20 up to $30.
For example, landing three Pullets on an active payline awards 2x the total stake for that particular spin. With five Eggs appearing on any of the fifteen available win lines, payouts go as high as 2000 times the initial wager, making it one of the most rewarding aspects of this game – provided players are lucky enough to trigger them.
Wilds and Scatters
- Rooster: Appears only during Free Spins Bonus. Replaces all symbols except Pullet.
- Pullet (Scatter): Awards 10 free spins plus multipliers when landing three on the reels; doubles wins for those that appear in combination with Roosters.
The scatter – our beloved Pullet friend here, helps trigger the free game bonus while also enhancing its rewards. What might initially seem like a relatively weak feature comes to life once players experience it firsthand during gameplay.
Bonus Features and Free Spins
The above-mentioned Wilds play an essential role in expanding winning combinations but may only be accessed by those who earn their way into this bonus through free spins triggered using the Chicken Scattered symbols – so called ‘Pullet’.
On its own, "Chicken Run" has a moderate hit frequency of 1/10. Upon entering the game’s Free Spins Mode and collecting Rooster wilds in combination with Pullets to amplify multiplier effects on those wins already generated from our regular games.
RTP (Return-to-Player) and Volatility
Microgaming is renowned for providing engaging, lucrative slots – including this title which boasts an impressive RTP rate at 95.50%. Not only does "Chicken Run" promise a fair return to players but also shows consistency across extended gaming sessions due largely thanks its medium-low volatility nature.
While the high volatility aspect typically implies increased unpredictability in wins (and losses), here, one might find balance struck throughout both games resulting from our above-average payout structure providing multiple line betting and bonus round chances available when needed most – creating quite satisfying experience during such low-winnings episodes while players feel their investment is fairly returned via substantial payback.