Release the Kraken

Release the Kraken Key Bonus Features

Feature Name	Description	Trigger / How it Works
Random Spin Features	Three modifiers can trigger on any base game spin: Colossal Kraken Wilds, Infectious Kraken Wilds, and Locking Kraken Wilds.	Randomly activated. Player picks one of three tentacles to reveal the feature.
Sunken Treasure Bonus	A pick-and-click game where the player selects from three chests to reveal instant cash prizes.	Land Bonus symbols on reels 1 and 3, plus a Chest Bonus symbol on reel 5.
Roaming Kraken Free Spins	A free spins round with 40 paylines, roaming wilds, and a progressive multiplier.	Land Bonus symbols on reels 1 and 3, plus a Free Spins symbol on reel 5.
Bonus Buy	Allows direct purchase of the Roaming Kraken Free Spins feature.	Costs 100x the current total bet.

What Are the Kraken's Random Attacks in the Base Game?

The Release the Kraken base game is punctuated by random modifiers, presented as a “Pick Me” choice among three tentacles. These features introduce wild symbols in unique ways: Colossal Kraken Wilds, Infectious Kraken Wilds, and Locking Kraken Wilds. Each modifier provides a distinct gameplay alteration for a single spin.

The unpredictability of these features is a central element of the base game. When the tentacles appear, the reels continue to spin until a selection is made, revealing one of the three powerful wild modifiers. This mechanic ensures that even standard spins carry a level of anticipation, breaking the routine of waiting solely for bonus scatters to land.

Colossal Kraken Wilds: The Guaranteed Giant

This feature guarantees that a massive 3×4 Colossal Wild symbol will land on the reels. While its final position is random, its sheer size ensures it will significantly impact the game board. The Colossal Wild can land fully or partially in view, but either way, it dramatically increases the chance of forming multiple winning paylines across the grid.

Infectious Kraken Wilds: Spreading Symbols

When this modifier is chosen, at least one Infectious Wild is guaranteed to land on the reels. This special wild symbol then “infects” adjacent symbols in a cross shape—one position up, down, left, and right—turning them into wilds as well. This chain reaction creates a cluster of wild symbols, providing opportunities for wins that span across several paylines.

Locking Kraken Wilds: A Multi-Stage Surprise

This feature is a multi-stage process. The reels spin and may land several wilds. Then, the game presents a series of chests to choose from. These chests can award “More Wilds,” which adds additional wilds to the reels; “Continue Spinning,” which keeps the feature going; “All Wins x2 and Collect,” which doubles the win and ends the feature; or “Collect,” which ends the round. This sequence adds a layer of interaction and can accumulate a substantial number of wilds before the final payout is calculated.

Vlad Hvalov's Expert Tip: “When testing the Release the Kraken demo, don't underestimate the Locking Kraken Wilds. It seems complex, but this multi-stage feature can sometimes yield more consistent returns than the single-spin impact of the Colossal Wild.”

How to Trigger the Two Main Bonus Rounds

The two primary bonus rounds in Release the Kraken, the Sunken Treasure Bonus and the Roaming Kraken Free Spins, are activated by landing specific combinations of bonus symbols. Both features require landing the standard Ship Bonus symbol on reels 1 and 3, with a third unique symbol on reel 5 determining which bonus is awarded.

This trigger mechanism clearly separates the two bonus experiences. A Chest Bonus symbol on reel 5 launches the instant-win game, while the Free Spins symbol on reel 5 initiates the more complex and high-potential free spins round.

The Sunken Treasure Bonus: A Classic Pick-Me Game

This feature is a straightforward pick-and-click bonus. When triggered, you are presented with three treasure chests and select one to reveal a random cash prize. The game allows you to continue picking as long as you reveal money prizes. The round concludes when a chest reveals a “Collect” item, at which point all accumulated prizes are awarded. It serves as a way to secure smaller, more immediate wins.

Roaming Kraken Free Spins: The Path to Maximum Wins

This is the main event of the Release the Kraken game. Landing the Bonus symbols on reels 1 and 3 alongside the Free Spins symbol on reel 5 triggers this round. It represents the pinnacle of the slot's win potential, combining several powerful mechanics into one feature and delving into the game's Treasure hunting aspect.

Unlocking the Depths of Roaming Kraken Free Spins

The Roaming Kraken Free Spins feature transforms the entire game, from the reel layout to the mechanics in play. It begins with a pre-bonus game to determine the number of spins and then introduces roaming wilds and a progressive multiplier that work together to generate the largest payouts.

The Pre-Bonus Chest Game

Before the spins commence, you enter a treasure-picking screen with ten chests. You select chests to reveal “+1,” “+2,” or “+3” free spins, which are added to your total. This continues until you uncover a “Start Free Spins” item, which begins the round with the number of spins you have accumulated. This interactive start adds a layer of control and anticipation to the feature.

How Roaming Wilds and the Progressive Multiplier Interact

During the free spins round, the number of paylines increases from 20 to 40, immediately doubling the ways to win. The round starts with a 1x win multiplier. Any wild symbol that lands on the reels remains on screen for the duration of the feature. These are not static; they are Roaming Wilds, meaning they change their position with every spin.

Crucially, each wild that lands also increases the global win multiplier by +1. The synergy is powerful: as more wilds appear on the screen, the multiplier grows, and the number of wilds available to complete wins also increases. This combination is the engine that drives the slot toward its maximum win potential.

Decoding the Mathematical Model of Release the Kraken

To fully grasp this slot, it's essential to understand its underlying mathematical design. This includes its volatility, Return to Player (RTP) percentage, and maximum win potential. These factors define the risk and reward profile of the game, making the demo version on Respinix a perfect environment to experience them firsthand without risk.

What is the Volatility? A Tale of Two Ratings

Release the Kraken's volatility is officially rated as Medium by Pragmatic Play, yet the in-game information displays 4.5 out of 5 lightning bolts, indicating High Volatility. This discrepancy is best resolved by gameplay experience, which aligns with the high rating. Wins may be less frequent, but the bonus features are designed to deliver substantial payouts, a hallmark of high-variance slots.

Understanding the RTP Ranges

The theoretical Return to Player (RTP) for this game is 96.50%. However, operators can configure it with lower values of 95.50% or 94.50%. The 96.50% figure is competitive and represents the expected long-term payout percentage under the optimal setting. Playing the demo helps in understanding the game flow regardless of the specific RTP configuration.

The 10,000x Maximum Win Potential

The ultimate prize lurking in these depths is a maximum win of 10,000 times your stake. This payout is realistically achievable only during the Roaming Kraken Free Spins. Reaching this cap requires accumulating a significant number of roaming wilds on the screen, which in turn elevates the progressive win multiplier to a high level, creating a perfect storm for a massive payout.

Vlad Hvalov's Expert Tip: “A common mistake is judging the Bonus Buy feature after just one or two attempts. In a high-volatility game like this, I recommend activating it at least 10 times in the free play demo to get a true feel for its payout variance.”

From the Captain's Log: Expert Notes & Findings

After extensive navigation of this slot's deep waters, a few interesting details have surfaced. These are not just functional mechanics but subtleties that enrich the overall experience.

1. The Volatility Paradox: The conflict between the “Medium” volatility on some data sheets and the “High” volatility shown in-game is telling. The base game can feel like a medium variance slot with its frequent random features, but the explosive potential of the Free Spins round gives it the heart and soul of a high volatility machine. It's a hybrid model in practice.
2. A Friendly Abyss: The art style is notable. Despite the fearsome Mythology of the Kraken, the other sea creatures, like the smiling shark and dopey turtle, align with Pragmatic Play's signature friendly and approachable aesthetic found in many of their Animal-themed slots. This makes the game feel more like a fun Adventure than a dive into horror. The design is reminiscent of animated films set in the Ocean, creating a lighthearted atmosphere.
3. Subtle Sound Design: Beyond the upbeat soundtrack, the ambient audio is filled with details. Faint sonar pings, the creak of a sunken galleon, and the muffled sound of bubbles create an immersive Aquatic environment. It's a small touch that enhances the feeling of being deep underwater.

How Does Release the Kraken Compare to Similar Slots?

To properly situate Release the Kraken, it helps to compare it to other titles from the Pragmatic Play catalog, including its own sequel and other slots with a similar theme or mechanics. You can find a wide variety of comparable slot machine options to suit any preference.

Release the Kraken vs. Release the Kraken 2

The sequel, Release the Kraken 2, builds upon the original's foundation but alters the mechanics. The sequel features a higher max win potential (50,000x) and shifting wild reels instead of roaming wilds. The original remains compelling for its specific combination of a progressive multiplier and roaming wilds, which some players may prefer over the sequel's feature set.

Alternative Ocean-Themed Slots from Pragmatic Play

For players who enjoy the underwater theme, Pragmatic Play offers other compelling options. Wild Depths is a close mechanical cousin, also featuring a free spins round with roaming wilds and a progressive multiplier. Beware The Deep Megaways offers a more intense, high-volatility deep-sea experience, using the Megaways mechanic for a different kind of gameplay but targeting a similar thrill-seeking audience.

Is the Release the Kraken Demo Worth Playing?

Yes, the Release the Kraken demo is highly recommended. The game’s strength lies in its diverse and layered features, which can be difficult to appreciate without firsthand experience. Playing the Release the Kraken free play version on a site like Respinix, where you can find thousands of other free demo slots, allows you to see the three random modifiers in action, trigger both bonus rounds, and understand the powerful synergy in the free spins feature, all without any financial risk.

I find Release the Kraken to be an excellent and well-rounded slot. It successfully balances an engaging base game with the high-stakes excitement of its main bonus round. The combination of roaming wilds and a progressive multiplier remains one of the most potent feature pairings in any slot game. While its volatility demands patience, the potential reward makes the voyage worthwhile. It is a must-try for fans of feature-heavy slots with a strong thematic identity.

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