Free the Dragon

Playtech’s Free the Dragon slot ventures into the classic realm of medieval fantasy, presenting a world filled with noble knights, fair princesses and, of course, a powerful dragon. Released in 2015, this game distinguishes itself not through groundbreaking visual effects but with its engaging mechanics, particularly the Pearl symbol system and the interwoven bonus features. It’s a slot designed for players who appreciate gameplay depth and the thrill of bonus features that can escalate into significant win potential.

Dragon Feature: Pearls, Prizes and the Super Reel

The core differentiator of Free the Dragon lies in its Pearl symbols. These symbols, appearing on reels 1 through 4, are not merely decorative. Each Pearl symbol that lands will descend one position down on the reel in the subsequent spin, creating a sense of anticipation and dynamic reel behaviour. Accumulating six or more of these Pearl symbols becomes the trigger for the Dragon Feature, a unique bonus round.

Upon activation, the game shifts to a dedicated screen showcasing four regular reels and a fifth, Super Reel. The Pearls that triggered the feature remain locked in their positions on reels 1-4. You are awarded three free spins, with a key element being the potential to reset this spin counter. Every new Pearl symbol landing on reels 1-4 during this feature will lock in place and reset the free spins back to three. This creates a captivating loop where persistent Pearl collection can prolong the bonus significantly.

The true highlight of the Dragon Feature is unlocking the Super Reel. If all positions on reels 1-4 become filled with Pearl symbols, the Super Reel activates, granting one spin with enhanced prize potential. This Super Reel offers three categories of rewards: Credit prizes with values of 15, 20, 50, 125, or 250 times your total bet; Bonus prizes awarding Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand jackpots (10x, 25x, 100x, 1000x total bet respectively); and Multiplier values of x2, x3, x4, x5, x10 or even x25. These multipliers amplify all accumulated Pearl credit values already on the reels.

This multi-faceted Dragon Feature, fuelled by Pearl accumulation and the Super Reel’s potential, sets Free the Dragon apart, rewarding persistence and strategic anticipation. If you are unclear about how this bonus functions or what the prize potential truly is, launching the demo version of the slot and accessing the in-game help (‘i’ icon) can provide comprehensive insight.

Free Games Feature: Keys to Unlock Cell Multipliers

Beyond the Dragon Feature, Free the Dragon offers a Free Games bonus, triggered by landing 3 Free Games symbols exclusively on reel 5. Initially, any landed Free Games symbols are held for the subsequent three spins, potentially increasing the trigger count and consequently the number of free spins awarded.

The total number of Free Games awarded is determined by summing the values displayed on each Free Games symbol that triggered the feature. Within the Free Games, the game board gains an extra layer of complexity with locked cells positioned above and below the standard reels. These cells initially display ‘locked’ icons but can be unlocked by landing Green Key symbols (above the reels) and Red Key symbols (below the reels).

Unlocking these cells reveals prize multipliers (x2, x3, x4, x5, x10, x25, x50 or x100) in the top cells or instant credit/bonus prizes in the bottom cells (additional free spins, credit prizes from 1x to 250x total bet, or bonus prizes mirroring the Dragon Feature’s jackpots). These unlocked cell prizes are active only for the spin in which they are revealed, adding a dynamic layer to each free spin. All payline wins during a free spin are multiplied by any revealed multiplier in the top cells, further amplifying the potential for significant payouts.

Theme, Style and Game Experience

Visually, Free the Dragon opts for a vibrant, cartoon-style approach to its medieval theme. The graphics are bright and clearly rendered, populated by classic fantasy figures: the brave knight, the elegant princess, and the imposing golden dragon, which appropriately acts as the Wild symbol. The background depicts a serene, idyllic landscape with rolling hills and a distant castle, reinforcing the fairy-tale atmosphere.

Animation in Free the Dragon is effective in highlighting key gameplay moments. Pearl symbols smoothly cascade down the reels. The Dragon Wild symbol roars to life upon wins, and the bonus features transition into dedicated screens with noticeable visual flair. While not pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity, the art style is consistent, cheerful and supports the engaging gameplay.

Slot Mechanics and Potential Payouts

Free the Dragon utilizes a 243-ways-to-win mechanism across its 5 reels, providing ample opportunities for winning combinations on each spin. The game exhibits high volatility, implying that wins might not occur frequently, but when they do, they have the potential to be substantial, especially through the bonus features described earlier.

The theoretical Return To Player (RTP) is 95.85% when playing without the Extra Bet mode. Activating the optional Extra Bet mode (which increases your total bet by 25%) negligibly alters the RTP to 95.84% but importantly enhances the Free Games feature. With Extra Bet active, the initial number of free spins awarded is increased and the value of the Free Games symbols are boosted.

For experienced players seeking intricate mechanics and bonus feature depth, Free the Dragon offers a compelling experience. For players seeking free online slot entertainment, the demo version provides a risk-free avenue to explore these detailed features and appreciate the game’s unique gameplay loop. The game’s hit frequency of approximately 31.52% and bonus round frequency of roughly 1 in 37 spins provide quantifiable metrics for players considering its mechanics for entertainment or strategic exploration.