Release the Kraken 2 is a high-volatility underwater-themed video slot developed by Pragmatic Play, featuring 5 reels, 20 base game paylines expanding to 40 in free spins, and multiple random bonus features with a maximum win potential of 5,000x your stake.
Release the Kraken 2 represents Pragmatic Play's evolution of their popular underwater adventure slot, introducing refined mechanics and enhanced visual presentation while maintaining the core appeal that made the original successful. This sequel shifts away from the menacing atmosphere of its predecessor toward a more playful, vibrant underwater environment populated by animated sea creatures and colourful coral formations. The game operates on a 5-reel, 3-row configuration with 20 paylines in the base game, expanding to 40 paylines during the free spins feature.
The slot caters to players seeking high-volatility gameplay with substantial win potential, rated at 5 out of 5 on Pragmatic Play's volatility scale. With a base RTP of 96.03% and betting ranges from 0.20 to 100.00 per spin, the game accommodates both conservative and aggressive bankroll management strategies. The maximum win potential reaches 5,000x the total stake, achieved through the combination of free spins multipliers, sticky wilds, and feature mechanics.
Release the Kraken 2 operates with multiple RTP configurations depending on gameplay mode and operator settings. The standard base game offers 96.03% RTP, while activating the Ante Bet feature adjusts this to 96.01% in exchange for increased bonus trigger frequency. The Ante Bet adds 25% to the current stake, making it a strategic consideration for players prioritizing feature access over base game efficiency.
The paytable structure divides symbols into low-value card ranks and premium sea creature symbols. Card symbols ranging from 10 through Ace award 1x to 2x the stake for five-of-a-kind combinations. Premium symbols include a green fish, blue fish, turtle, and shark, paying 3x, 5x, 7.5x, and 10x respectively for maximum combinations. The game logo symbol serves as the highest-paying regular symbol at 25x for five matches.
Three distinct wild variations appear throughout gameplay. Standard Kraken wilds substitute for all symbols except scatters and bonus symbols, awarding up to 20x the bet for five-of-a-kind combinations. During free spins, Golden Wild symbols add an additional dimension by increasing the active multiplier by 1x each time they land. These wilds remain sticky throughout the feature, repositioning on each spin while maintaining their presence on the reels.
Release the Kraken 2 distinguishes itself through three random features that can activate during standard gameplay, adding volatility and engagement to the base game experience. These features trigger independently of scatter symbols, providing unexpected win opportunities between bonus rounds.
When four or more wild symbols land simultaneously after initial payouts, the Wild Respin feature activates automatically. All wild symbols lock in position and shift to new locations on the reels before awarding a respin. If additional wilds appear during the respin, they also lock and trigger another respin. This cascade continues until no new wilds land, with all accumulated winning combinations paid at the conclusion of the sequence.
This feature can trigger randomly on any base game spin, exclusively affecting reels 2, 3, and 4. Stacked wild symbols appear partially visible on these reels, then expand to cover the entire reel height. For each position the wild must shift to complete the stack, a 1x multiplier is added. When multiple reels receive stacked wilds simultaneously, their individual multipliers combine additively before applying to the total win. This mechanic can generate substantial multipliers when all three central reels activate together.
On non-winning spins, the Kraken may intervene to rearrange symbols and guarantee a winning outcome. This feature awards instant wins ranging from 20x to 50x the triggering bet. Alternatively, the Kraken can add three scatter symbols to the reels, immediately triggering the free spins bonus round. This dual-purpose feature serves both as a volatility dampener and a direct route to the main bonus game.
Landing three or more scatter symbols activates the free spins feature, but not before engaging with the unique treasure chest selection mechanic. Players face 16 treasure chests, each containing different combinations of free spins and starting multipliers. The number of triggering scatters determines the range of available rewards: three scatters offer 4 to 15 free spins with multipliers up to 6x, four scatters provide 5 to 20 spins with multipliers reaching 10x, and five scatters grant 6 to 20 spins with maximum 10x multipliers.
Pragmatic Play employs rigorous testing protocols for all slot releases, ensuring mathematical models align with stated RTP values and volatility ratings. Release the Kraken 2 underwent extensive quality assurance across multiple jurisdictions before deployment.
The game utilizes certified random number generation systems and complies with international gambling regulations. Multiple RTP configurations allow operators to select appropriate settings for their licensed markets while maintaining transparency with players.
Upon triggering free spins, players receive a randomly assigned treasure chest. They can either accept this allocation immediately or engage in a gamble sequence. Choosing to gamble allows removal of four chests from the selection, after which the Kraken presents an offer based on the average value of remaining chests. Players can accept this offer or continue eliminating chests and receiving new offers until either accepting a deal or opening their original chest. This mechanic introduces strategic decision-making and risk assessment into the bonus trigger process.
During free spins, the game expands from 20 to 40 active paylines, doubling win potential on each spin. All wild symbols that land become sticky, remaining on the reels for the entire feature duration while moving to different positions with each spin. This roaming sticky wild mechanic ensures consistent wild coverage throughout the bonus round.
Golden Wild symbols serve as the primary multiplier growth mechanism. Each Golden Wild that lands adds 1x to the cumulative win multiplier, which applies to all subsequent wins. The multiplier persists and grows throughout the feature, creating exponential win potential in the later spins of extended bonus rounds. Combined with the 40 active paylines and roaming sticky wilds, this multiplier system generates the majority of the game's maximum win scenarios.
Release the Kraken 2's high volatility rating manifests in extended periods without significant wins punctuated by concentrated payout events. The random base game features provide occasional relief during dry spells, but the free spins bonus round delivers the primary win potential. Players should expect the bonus to trigger approximately once every 200 to 300 spins under standard conditions, with the Ante Bet reducing this frequency.
The win distribution heavily favours the free spins feature, particularly rounds that begin with higher multipliers and longer spin allocations. Base game wins typically range from 1x to 50x the stake, with the random features occasionally pushing this higher. The free spins feature regularly produces wins between 50x and 500x, with optimal combinations of high multipliers, extended spins, and premium symbol coverage reaching the 5,000x maximum.
Bankroll management becomes critical given the high volatility profile. Conservative players should allocate at least 200 to 300 base bets to weather variance and reach multiple bonus triggers. The Ante Bet option increases feature frequency by approximately 30% but reduces overall RTP slightly, making it suitable for shorter sessions focused on bonus gameplay rather than extended base game play.
During the treasure chest selection, the gamble mechanic presents genuine strategic choices. Accepting the initial chest guarantees the revealed value, while gambling introduces variance that can improve or worsen the outcome. Statistically, continuing to gamble until fewer chests remain increases the average expected value, but also risks eliminating the best options early. Players prioritizing consistent results should accept reasonable initial offers, while those seeking maximum potential should gamble more aggressively.
The game's presentation emphasizes accessibility and charm over atmospheric tension. Bright colours dominate the underwater setting, with animated sea creatures performing celebratory movements when forming winning combinations. This attention to detail enhances engagement without overwhelming the core gameplay. The soundtrack maintains a bubbly, upbeat tone that complements the visual theme while remaining unobtrusive during extended sessions.
The interface design prioritizes clarity, with all active features clearly indicated through visual cues and animations. The transition between base game and bonus rounds maintains smooth pacing, while the treasure chest selection screen provides clear information about available options without rushing player decisions.
While maintaining the underwater theme and Kraken character, the sequel substantially revises the gameplay structure. The original featured pick-me treasure chests and Roaming Kraken Free Spins with different mechanics. Release the Kraken 2 introduces the Wild Respin system, Shifting Stacked Wilds, and the treasure chest gamble mechanic as new elements. The shift toward a more cheerful aesthetic and the expansion to 40 paylines during free spins represent the most visible changes, alongside the refined multiplier system that replaces the original's feature set.
Release the Kraken 2 delivers a comprehensive high-volatility slot experience built around multiple feature layers and substantial win potential. The combination of three random base game features, an engaging treasure chest selection mechanic, and a robust free spins system with expanding paylines and growing multipliers creates varied gameplay that maintains interest across extended sessions. The 96.03% RTP sits within industry standards for high-volatility titles, while the 5,000x maximum win provides sufficient upside for the variance profile.
The game succeeds in balancing accessibility with depth, offering straightforward mechanics that reveal strategic considerations upon closer examination. The treasure chest gamble system adds meaningful player agency to the bonus trigger, while the roaming sticky wilds and multiplier growth create dynamic free spins rounds. Players who appreciate high-volatility gameplay with frequent smaller features punctuating the pursuit of substantial bonus wins will find Release the Kraken 2 well-suited to their preferences.
The base game RTP is 96.03%, which adjusts to 96.01% when using the Ante Bet feature. Some operators may offer different RTP configurations, so always check the paytable information within the game.
Under standard conditions, the free spins feature triggers approximately once every 200 to 300 spins. Activating the Ante Bet increases trigger frequency by roughly 30% by raising the probability of scatter symbol appearances.
The maximum win reaches 5,000x the total stake, achieved through optimal combinations of free spins with high starting multipliers, extended spin counts, and accumulated Golden Wild multipliers during the bonus round.
The gamble mechanic introduces additional variance with potential for both improvement and degradation of your free spins allocation. Gambling until fewer chests remain increases average expected value but risks eliminating premium options early. Accept reasonable initial offers for consistency or gamble aggressively when pursuing maximum potential.
Three features can trigger randomly: Wild Respins activate when four or more wilds land, locking them for respins until no new wilds appear. Shifting Stacked Wilds appear on reels 2 through 4, expanding with multipliers added for each position shifted. Guaranteed Wins rearrange symbols on losing spins to create wins of 20x to 50x or add three scatters to trigger free spins.
Regular wilds substitute for symbols and pay up to 20x for five-of-a-kind. Golden Wilds appear only during free spins, adding 1x to the cumulative multiplier each time they land while also functioning as sticky symbols that remain on reels throughout the feature.
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