Lady Merlin Slot Review: Bonus Mechanics & Game Overview
Yggdrasil and Boomerang Studios brings their very own modern take on the legendary wizard, transforming him into a much younger and female version of himself. The slot is packed with all sorts of magical elements, although the bulk of its power comes through the Boom+ function, which promises a big shakeup in the usual video slots gameplay.
But does Lady Merlin have what it takes to weave the right incantations? Will this young wizard impress the denizens of our online world? Check out our full review below to find out!
Lady Merlin Features
Though the slot includes a lengthy list of features and mechanics, perhaps the most one lies with the Boom+ function. The mechanic is quite original and offers players the unusual option to choose between two very varying iterations of the game. Both options on offer here will dictate how both the features and math model are constructed. Depending on your choice, the options you pick will differ in the following way:
- Boom+ Off
- RTP: 95.69%
- Volatility: Medium
- Bet amounts: 0.25/5
- Wild Symbols: Substitute only paying symbols
- Free Spins: No
- Boom+ On
- RTP: 95.95%
- Volatility: Medium-High
- Bet amounts: 0.40/8
- Wild Symbols: Substitute paying symbols, Scatter symbols and Collect symbols
- Free Spins: Yes
Wild Symbols
Your usual Wild symbols substitute themselves for any paying symbol that can form part of a winning combination. This time around, a bit of magic from the lady herself means that they carry a x2 multiplier in the base game, which increases further once you enter free spins. If you opt for the Boom+ version, Wild symbols will also substitute for both Collect and Scatter symbols, which makes them much easier to land.
Scatter Symbols
Free spins are activated by landing 3 Scatter symbols. Players need to be aware that both Scatter symbols Free Spins are only available when playing Boom+.
Lady Merlin Free Spins and Bonus
Once unlocked, players receive 10 Free Spins. During these rounds, all Wild symbols that land will increment the free spin count and wild multiplier by +1. But that’s not all… Lady Merlin has another trick up her sleeve, the Lightning Coil!
Lightning Coil is the key to the game’s re-spins function. Whenever any lightning coil symbol lands together with a Collect symbol, their respective values are collected and then awarded to the player. Furthermore, the landing of 6 Lightning Coils in one go will trigger 3 re-spins. Triggering symbols are locked in place and if more Lightning Coil symbols land during re-spins, they are also locked in, and the spin tally is reset to 3. Collect symbols are once again responsible for picking up the symbol’s values. It’s a pretty standard hold and spin bonus, with a bit of magic thrown in for effect.
Lady Merlin Theme and Symbols
With a cartoonish art direction, Lady Merlin offers a unique take on a gothic theme. The style here allows for the otherwise ghoulish imagery on display to come off with a certain harmlessness that suggests an element of playfulness. The slot’s gargoyle statues have a certain feminine aspect that is reflected in all of the slot’s visual designs. Overall, it’s a very high-quality presentation that takes an original concept and executes it to a very high standard.
Lady Merlin RTP & Volatility
As with all of Lady Merlin’s other elements, both the volatility and RTP setting will vary, depending on the Boom+ switch. On the ‘Off’ setting, volatility sits at a medium setting, while RTP is set to 95.69%. On the other hand, if Boom+ is active, volatility is then increased to a medium-high setting, while RTP is similarly increased to 95.95%. While interesting, both these numbers are marginally below the industry average.
How to Play Lady Merlin
Lady Merlin follows the somewhat unusual structure of 5 reels and 3-4-3-4-3 rows. The slot also offers 432 paylines. Players will need to select a bet, from 0.25 to 8 and then spin away using the dedicated button. Additionally, an auto-play function has also been included. After selecting the right parameters that they wish to play by, players can sit back and watch as the spins unfold consecutively.
Slotsia’s Review
Lady Merlin gets a lot right. Its great visuals, set of features and potential are certainly appealing qualities. Yet, the Boom+ structure doesn’t seem to make much sense. Players are charged to play what seems to be the definitive version of the game. Without Boom+ the slot feels hollow and lacking in depth. Not to mention the fact that Boom+ only offers the sort of perks that come for free on other video slots. It’s a muddled concept and one that falls flat on what it aims to achieve.
Free Spins segment with a dedicated multiplier
Hold and Spin bonus with enticing rewards
A 25,000x maximum potential on offer
No Free Spins included outside of Boom+
Playing without the Boom+ addition feels somewhat bare
