Series
Merlin series
Merlin slots and the high-risk book formula
Few magic franchises occupy the book-slot niche as consistently as the Merlin series from Play'n Go. Its identity rests on high volatility, expanding symbols and free-spin rounds, while successive releases alter the win structure, multiplier pressure and payout ceiling.
Ranked by Slot Score
| Game | Year | RTP | Volatility | Slot Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rise of MerlinPlay'n Go | 2019 | 94.51% | High volatility | 58 |
 Merlin And The Ice Queen MorganaPlay'n Go | 2021 | 94.2% | High volatility | 70 |
 Merlin's GrimoirePlay'n Go | 2022 | 94.2% | High volatility | 67 |
 Merlin: Journey of FlamePlay'n Go | 2023 | 96.29% | High volatility | 71 |
 Merlin Realm of CharmLatestPlay'n Go | 2024 | 94.2% | High volatility | 58 |
Rise of Merlin established the 5x3, 10-payline foundation in 2019 with expanding symbols and a 5,000x maximum. Merlin And The Ice Queen Morgana kept that frame in 2021 but added random multipliers and raised the ceiling to 20,000x. The decisive structural change came with Merlin's Grimoire in 2022: 243 ways, splitting symbols and changing reel sets pushed the maximum to 35,000x.
The shared spellbook
- Core format: a 5x3 screen supports every listed entry, usually with 10 fixed paylines.
- Bonus language: scatters, free spins and special symbols carry the main reward changes.
- Risk profile: every release is built around high volatility rather than frequent low-pressure bonuses.
- Visual code: Merlin, books, crowns, dragons and magical settings identify the line while the math changes underneath.
The 2023 fire-themed release returned to 10 paylines and reduced the maximum to 7,500x, using extra free spins and changing reel sets instead of pursuing another ceiling increase. The 2024 forest entry stayed on 10 lines, paired additional free spins with a 10,000x maximum and moved the series away from the split-symbol experiment.
Five stages of the formula
- 2019 foundation: 10 paylines, expanding symbols and a 5,000x maximum established the book-slot base.
- 2021 escalation: random multipliers lifted the maximum to 20,000x without changing the grid.
- 2022 rebuild: 243 ways and splitting symbols produced the line's 35,000x peak.
- 2023 reset: fixed paylines returned with extra spins and a lower 7,500x ceiling.
- 2024 variation: the forest setting retained the simpler line structure and restored a 10,000x maximum.
The Merlin franchise occupies a precise role: it uses familiar Arthurian imagery to test different versions of the high-risk book mechanic. The strongest distinction is between the conventional 10-line releases and the 243-way experiment, not between their magical settings.