The world of casino slots is a vast and wondrous place, full of colorful characters, exciting themes, and tantalizing payouts. Among these countless options lies the delightful "Chicken Run" slot game, brought to life by the imagination of Pragmatic Play software developers. This review will delve into every aspect of this entertaining game, providing an in-depth analysis that covers its theme, design, symbols, payouts, wilds, scatters, bonus features, free spins, RTP, volatility, betting range, max win, gameplay, mobile play, player Chicken Run experience, and overall assessment.
Theme and Design
The "Chicken Run" slot is inspired by the beloved British stop-motion animated film of the same name. In this movie, a group of chickens hatch a plan to escape from an evil farmer who wants to turn them into egg-laying machines. The game’s theme follows suit, with bright colors and engaging graphics that capture the whimsy and humor of the original story.
As soon as you launch the game, you’ll be greeted by a charming farm setting, complete with lush green fields, towering trees, and rolling hills. The background image is filled with animated chickens, pecking at the ground or scratching in the dirt, adding to the overall atmosphere of rural bliss. The reels themselves are designed with intricate details, showcasing hand-drawn illustrations that resemble watercolor paintings.
Symbols
The "Chicken Run" slot boasts an impressive array of 8 regular symbols, each paying homage to various characters from the movie:
- High-paying symbols: Ginger (the feisty and intelligent leader), Fowler’s egg-stealing chicken
- Medium-paying symbols: A female hen holding a small chick, a rooster with wings spread wide
- Low-paying symbols: The standard deck of cards – 9-Ace
Additionally, there are three special symbols in the game:
- Wild symbol: Ginger (can substitute for all regular symbols to create winning combinations)
- Scatter symbol: A large golden egg, which triggers free spins when landing on reels 1-5
- Bonus symbol: None
Payouts
The "Chicken Run" slot uses a standard paytable layout, where matching three or more identical symbols in adjacent positions from left-to-right awards the corresponding payout. The payouts are as follows:
Symbol Payout 9-Ace (low) x0.5 – x5 coins Hen + Chicks (med) x10-x50 coins Rooster (med) x15-x75 coins Fowler’s chicken (high) x25-x125 coins Ginger (high) x30-x150 coins
Wilds
Ginger serves as the Wild symbol in "Chicken Run," capable of substituting for any regular symbol to help complete winning combinations. When a Wild lands on reels 1-5, it can expand to cover an entire reel.
Scatters
The golden egg is the Scatter symbol, triggering free spins when three or more land on adjacent positions from left-to-right, anywhere on reels 1-5:
- 3 Scatters: 15 Free Spins
- 4 Scatters: 20 Free Spins
- 5 Scatters: 25 Free Spins
Bonus Features
During the free spins round, landing three or more Scatters will re-trigger an additional set of free spins. The game also offers a feature called "Fowl Play" which is not clearly explained in any official documentation or available to be tested on real money gameplay.
Free Spins
The 15 Free Spin bonus comes with no multipliers applied, but the 20 and 25 spin rounds come with a random multiplier between x2-x5. During free spins, reels can expand up to 3×3 in size, increasing the chances of winning combinations.
RTP (Return to Player)
According to Pragmatic Play’s documentation, "Chicken Run" features an RTP value of 95.52%, which is a respectable figure considering many slots tend to be lower than this mark.
Volatility
The game’s volatility has been reported by some players and casinos as high, while others found it medium-high or even low in certain cases. Without consistent data from the developer regarding expected hit frequency, we can only rely on general reviews from operators and punters, suggesting "Chicken Run" may be a medium-to-high volatility slot.
Betting Range
The minimum bet for this game starts at $0.10 (which is quite unique since most slots have lower min bets) while the maximum stake goes up to 100 credits. This wide betting range caters to various player preferences, accommodating both budget-conscious and high-roller players alike.
Max Win
According to Pragmatic Play’s specifications, "Chicken Run" has a top prize of $1,000, which is won by landing three or more Scatters in an adjacent position on reels 3-5 (re-triggering additional free spins). However, since there are no progressive multipliers and Wilds have limited capabilities compared to other slots games this maximum will often fall short.
Gameplay
Playing the "Chicken Run" slot is a breeze. The control panel offers intuitive buttons for placing bets (Minimum/Maximum), managing Autoplay modes (5-1000 spins, with an option to stop at a win), and activating Turbo Mode. Since Pragmatic Play implemented HTML5 technology into this game it seamlessly runs on mobile devices as well.
Mobile Play
This title has been specifically designed using responsive web technologies from the ground up ensuring compatibility across multiple platforms: Windows desktop/laptop, iOS tablet/phone (6+ or later), Android tablets/smartphones 4.0 and above.
Player Experience
Overall "Chicken Run" slot users have found this title a fun way to pass time with attractive art but low paying outcomes during free spin periods being particularly concerning. They feel satisfied that Pragmatic Play kept true to the spirit of the original film however the payouts could use some adjustment for even odds and fair game play.
Overall Analysis
The "Chicken Run" slot is an entertaining addition to any online casino portfolio, featuring visually stunning graphics inspired by a beloved stop-motion animated classic. While it has a decent RTP value, medium-to-high volatility might deter casual players seeking higher chances of landing prizes quickly. Pragmatic Play successfully captured the atmosphere and charm from its namesake movie source material but still remains relatively low in payouts for experienced gamblers with deeper understanding knowledge of slot mechanics.
Overall this is an okay title if you are looking to enjoy something fun at home while perhaps it could use some further improvements so as not hinder enjoyment and winning odds.
