Quick Answer
Set your stake with coins per line and coin value, then spin the 5x4 reel set. Wins pay left to right across 20 fixed paylines in the base game, rising to 40 paylines if you trigger the Roaming Kraken Free Spins bonus.
- Bet range runs from 0.20 to 100.00 per spin.
- Random Kraken modifiers can add wilds or a pick-me bonus on any base-game spin.
- Free spins require ship symbols on reels 1 and 3 plus a Free Spins symbol on reel 5, not a simple three-scatter trigger.
How the Reels and Paylines Work
Release the Kraken runs on a standard 5-reel, 4-row grid with 20 fixed paylines. There is no cluster or ways mechanic here: a win requires three, four or five matching symbols on an active line, and payouts read left to right starting from reel 1. New players can treat it like a conventional line slot for most spins.
The paytable mixes card royals J, Q, K and A at the low end with four sea-creature premiums (green/yellow fish, blue fish, turtle, shark) above them. A Release the Kraken logo symbol and a wild bubble sit at the top of the regular paytable, sharing the highest per-line payout. The wild substitutes for every paying symbol but not for the ship, Free Spins scatter or Chest Bonus symbols.
What separates this title from a plain 20-line slot is a set of random modifiers that can fire on any base-game spin after the reels stop. These include Kraken Lockin' Wilds, which lock several wilds in place for that spin, and a Sunken Treasure pick-me feature that awards an instant prize. Neither requires a specific symbol combination to trigger; both are described as random by every source reviewed.
The main bonus, Roaming Kraken Free Spins, needs ship symbols on reels 1 and 3 together with a Free Spins symbol on reel 5 in the same spin. That reel-specific requirement means it does not land as often as a generic three-scatter trigger, and reviewers link this to the game's medium-high volatility rating.
Once triggered, a chest-picking screen awards free spins in increments before a Collect chest ends the picking stage. During the round itself, paylines double to 40 and a global multiplier grows by 1 every time a Kraken wild lands, with that wild then roaming the grid for the rest of the bonus.
Beginners should treat the interface controls, coins per line and coin value, as the only levers available. Bet size changes stake and payout size but does not alter feature odds or the underlying return model.
Confirmed Gameplay Features
- 5x4 reel layout with 20 fixed paylines in the base game, expanding to 40 during free spins
- Wild bubble symbol substitutes for all paying symbols except the ship, scatter and Chest Bonus triggers
- Random Kraken Lockin' Wilds and Sunken Treasure pick-me modifiers can occur on any base-game spin
- Roaming Kraken Free Spins with a global multiplier that rises each time a Kraken wild lands and roams the grid
- No bonus buy option available for this title
- HTML5 build with demo play and mobile support on desktop and mobile browsers
Return to Player
96.50%
Release the Kraken is known to ship in more than one RTP configuration, so the exact figure can vary by casino. Check the configuration listed at your chosen site before you commit a session, since it directly affects long-term expected return.
Volatility and Session Rhythm
high
This is a medium-high to high volatility title. Expect stretches of modest base-game returns interrupted by occasional random modifiers, with the Roaming Kraken Free Spins bonus as the main source of larger swings. Because that bonus needs a specific reel arrangement rather than three scatters anywhere, it can feel elusive between hits, so sizing bets to a bankroll built for longer dry spells is the practical takeaway for new players.
How to Play: Common Questions
Do I need three scatters anywhere to trigger free spins?
No. The Roaming Kraken Free Spins bonus specifically requires ship symbols on reels 1 and 3 plus a Free Spins symbol on reel 5 in the same spin, not scatters landing anywhere on the grid.
What happens to the paylines during the free spins bonus?
Paylines double from 20 in the base game to 40 during the Roaming Kraken Free Spins round, increasing the number of ways a single spin can produce a winning combination.
Can the wild symbol substitute for the bonus-trigger symbols?
No. The wild bubble substitutes for all standard paying symbols but not for the ship, Free Spins scatter or Chest Bonus symbols, so it cannot help complete a bonus trigger.
How does the multiplier build during free spins?
Every Kraken wild that lands during the bonus adds 1 to a global multiplier and then stays on the grid as a roaming sticky wild that moves position on subsequent spins.
What are the random Kraken modifiers I might see in the base game?
Kraken Lockin' Wilds adds and locks several wilds for a single spin, and Sunken Treasure is a separate pick-me feature offering an instant prize; both can occur on any base-game spin without a specific trigger symbol.
Is there a bonus buy option to skip to the free spins?
No. Release the Kraken does not offer a bonus buy, so the free spins round can only be reached through the natural reel-position trigger.
What is the betting range if I want to try low stakes first?
Per-spin bets run from 0.20 up to 100.00, adjustable through the coins-per-line and coin-value controls in the game interface.
Can I try the mechanics before betting real money?
Yes. The game is built in HTML5 and a free demo version is available, letting you see the 20/40 payline structure and Kraken modifiers without staking funds.
Try the Mechanics Yourself
Play at partner casinoNow that you know how the reels, paylines and Kraken modifiers fit together, see them in action on a licensed casino site. Players in Canada must be 19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC).