Release the Kraken Megaways

Intro

Imagine trudging up a beach at midnight, with the storm-tossed remains of a battered pirate ship creaking on the sand ahead. That’s the mood set the moment the reels load in Release the Kraken Megaways, Pragmatic Play’s deep-dive reinterpretation of the popular original. It isn’t the cheery, tropical ocean scene so common in slot games; this is darker, edgier, and dripping with nautical dread. There’s an electric anticipation that something big—possibly monstrous—is lurking just below the surface. Before launching into the first spin, there’s a real sense of curiosity: will this slot’s Megaways engine bring proper bite, or will the sea just swallow the anticipation whole?

First impressions

The first dozen spins are a wake-up call. The reels pulse and shuffle, with every spin reshaping the grid. Sometimes the reels bulge with possibility—stretching seven symbols high, promising those fabled 117,649 ways. Other times, they collapse into tight rows, leaving little hope. There’s a bit of an adjustment period, mainly because Megaways always means re-training the eye to spot clusters in a sea of shifting symbols. The Kraken’s tentacles pulse in the backdrop, keeping the pressure on. If it’s your first Megaways slot, don’t be surprised if it takes a few rounds just to track what’s even happening; but after a short while, the constant change becomes part of the fun.

One thing jumps out quickly: win frequency feels low out of the gate, but when clustered symbols do land, the payouts—while rarely huge—feel satisfying. The animations are snappy, so the action never drags, but there’s a distinct undercurrent of suspense. Something about the way those reels expand and contract keeps hope alive on every spin, especially when wilds slide into view. This isn’t a cozy, laid-back slot—it’s tense and slightly unpredictable, which fits the theme perfectly.

Gameplay feel

Release the Kraken Megaways slot leans fully into Megaways mechanics. The six main reels with 2–7 symbols per reel mean the number of possible ways bobs up and down constantly. When the reels stack high, each spin feels like a giant gulp of fresh air—the possibility of landing matching sharks or fisherman’s chests on four, five, even six reels at once is genuinely thrilling. When the rows slacken down to the minimum, it’s easy to expect a dry spell, but the Kraken can still surprise.

The volatility sits in that ambiguous high/medium-high territory. It’s billed as ‘medium variance,’ but actual play feels stingier than advertised. Smaller base game wins are there, but not in droves, so patience is key. It can take quite a few spins just to get enough action to build a session’s momentum. The RTP (96.4%) is above average, and the minimum bet is accessible, yet the slot can quickly eat through smaller bankrolls during slower stretches. Winning streaks can shift fast—one cluster of wilds or a big bonus round and fortunes change, but so does the mood when the reels go cold for ten or more spins. The unpredictability is stressful in the best way for thrill-seekers, but less so for those who prefer a steady drip of wins.

Bonus features

The features are where Release the Kraken Megaways really sharks the waters. Roaming wilds and re-spins might sound like checklist stuff, but the way each one lands keeps things lively. Landing three wilds doesn’t just give a re-spin; those wilds actually crawl across the reels, hunting for new positions, which injects a little drama as you hold your breath for a big combination. Extra wilds trigger more spins, but in practice, these features show up sporadically—sometimes a few in quick succession, sometimes not for dozens of spins.

Then there’s the Guaranteed Win moment, which is pure slot adrenaline: base game spins destined for nothing can suddenly transform, with a flash of lightning, into instant 10x wins. It's rare, but when it happens, it feels like manna from the sea. The free spins round is the main show. Triggered by three or more scatters, it comes with a picking game—choose from treasure chests that can upgrade your round with more spins, extra roaming wilds, bigger multipliers, or boosted Megaways. The chest pick injects a sense of agency and suspense; it genuinely feels like the round could go anywhere.

During testing, free spins didn’t show up super often—on average, maybe once every 120 spins. When it did, picking chests was nerve-wracking, usually netting a few extra spins and a multiplier bump. Payouts ranged from modest (10–20x) to one session where a wave of roaming wilds combined for nearly 80x. The bonus buy (if available) can fast-track the action, but results are unpredictable. Sometimes, it fizzles; at best, you’re surfing massive multipliers with wilds prowling every spin.

Visuals and sound

There’s an undeniable atmosphere here. The visuals are gritty—think torn sails, waterlogged barrels, and treasure scattered on a bleak shoreline. The main shipwreck sits centre stage, and gloomy clouds block out the sun, making everything feel tense and uncertain. Symbols don’t shimmer or pop so much as they brood, and when big wins do land, animated tentacles underscore the action without ever feeling overstated.

Sound-wise, the slot takes a more laid-back approach. The soundtrack is soothing, with the soft rush of surf and a gentle melody. No over-the-top drama, just an ambient sense of calm… until a big feature hits and the music shifts with subtle fanfare. Wins come with chimes that are noticeable but not jarring. The sound design creates a kind of quiet tension—less about high-energy adventure, more about waiting for something deep and dangerous to stir from beneath.

Slot behavior

The gameplay rhythm is jagged, honestly. Small wins are sprinkled here and there—just enough to keep the bankroll from being totally drained during a cold streak, but clear droughts crop up too. Most payouts cluster around the 1–3x mark, with the more imposing symbols (shark, treasure chest) showing up just enough to keep hope alive. Sometimes, a mystery symbol or sudden wild turns a mediocre spin into something memorable.

Wins tend to bunch together—dead spins followed by a sudden burst—so anyone unaccustomed to high-volatility experiences might feel a little whipped by the swings. The stated RTP feels plausible across enough spins, but the experience day-to-day feels more feast-or-famine than the ‘medium’ label suggests. Surprise bonus rounds or Guaranteed Win features help balance things, but those relying on frequent, consistent payouts might leave frustrated. The max win potential is huge (10,000x), but it never feels easy to reach—not even close.

Mobile version

Testing on mobile, the slot runs smoothly. The HD visuals scale nicely, and the touch controls are responsive with no awkward mis-taps. The interface is decluttered, even in portrait mode, so reading the ever-changing number of ways-to-win is never a chore. No lag, no stutter—even the chest-picking bonus works well with a thumb. Playing on a phone feels just as immersive as desktop, which is no small feat given how busy Megaways slots can get.

Final thoughts

Release the Kraken Megaways is not for the casual spinner chasing cozy, constant wins. It demands a bit of grit—something about the relentless shifting of those reels, the looming Kraken, the all-or-nothing bonuses. Fans of dramatic volatility and atmospheric design are likely to get a real kick out of it, particularly if they enjoy slots that can turn on a dime from dead-silent to edge-of-the-seat in a heartbeat. Those new to Megaways may need a few trial rounds to settle in—the Release the Kraken Megaways demo or free play option is a great way to dip a toe in the deep end before throwing real chips into the sea.

At its best, this slot is all about the anticipation: watching as wilds slide into view, or hunting for the right chest in the bonus game, not knowing if you’ll score big, or if the Kraken will keep its secrets for another day. It won’t be everyone’s flavor, but for those who love tension, mood, and the promise of a sudden torrent of wins, Release the Kraken Megaways is worth boarding.