Chicken Run is a 5-reel, 25-payline online casino slot developed by Microgaming, one of the industry’s most renowned software providers. Released in 2020, this game has quickly become a favorite among players and critics alike due to its engaging theme, high-quality design, and exciting bonus features.
Theme
The theme of Chicken Run is centered around the classic animated movie of the same name, produced by Aardman Animations and DreamWorks Animation. Players are transported to the Chicken Run rolling hills and picturesque farms of rural England, where a group of plucky chickens hatch a plan to escape from their nefarious farmer-owner.
Design
Upon launch, players are greeted with an immersive design that perfectly captures the lighthearted spirit of the film. The game’s backdrop is set against a beautifully rendered landscape featuring lush green hills, sun-drenched fields, and a quaint farm in the distance. The reels themselves feature colorful and intricately designed symbols inspired by the movie, including the main characters: Ginger (represented as a brave and determined chicken), Fowler (the villainous farmer), and Maude (Ginger’s love interest).
Symbols
The game’s paytable is comprised of 10 high-paying symbols, including:
- Wild Chickens (5-of-a-kind pays up to 250x the total bet)
- Ginger (4-of-a-kind pays up to 125x the total bet)
- Fowler (4-of-a-kind pays up to 100x the total bet)
- Maude (4-of-a-kind pays up to 80x the total bet)
- Chickens (4-of-a-kind pays up to 50x the total bet)
Low-paying symbols include:
- Letter T
- Ace (Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s are also represented as low-value symbols)
Payouts
Chicken Run offers a payout range of x20 to x250 for each spin, with medium to high volatility payouts in the base game and during bonus rounds.
Wilds
The Wild Chicken symbol acts as both wild and scatter. When it appears on reels 2, 3, or 4, it can substitute for all other symbols (except scatters) to form winning combinations. If three or more of these symbols appear anywhere in view, they trigger the Free Spins feature.
Scatters
The Wild Chicken symbol is also a scatter that activates free spins when landing on reels 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously. Three such occurrences will grant players 10 free spins, with each subsequent occurrence increasing the number of free spins by 5 (up to a maximum of 30).
Bonus Features
Chicken Run boasts several bonus features:
- Free Spins : Activated as described above
- Wild Chickens Reel Expansion : When three Wild Chicken symbols appear on reels 2, 3, and 4 during the Free Spins feature, these reel positions expand to cover adjacent spaces for even more wins.
- Ginger’s Egg-cellent Bonus : When five Wild Chicken symbols appear anywhere in view after a free spin, this bonus is triggered, awarding players with an additional 10 free spins.
RTP
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage of Chicken Run has been reported as 96% by independent audits. While some players might find the payout range lower than average, Microgaming’s expertise in game design shines through in other areas, making this slot more engaging and entertaining for many players.
Volatility
Medium to high volatility characterizes the gameplay experience in Chicken Run. Wins can come frequently during the base game or when a bonus feature is triggered, but larger payouts often result from extended periods of playing without significant wins.
Betting Range
The minimum bet available is £0.25 (or its equivalent), while the maximum bet per spin can reach up to £250. This betting range allows players with various bankrolls and risk tolerance levels to participate in this slot machine experience.
Max Win
Chicken Run has a max win cap of 125,000x the total bet or approximately £31.25 million (£250 bet) when using the maximum stake. Although reaching such a massive payout might be challenging without some luck on your side, it demonstrates Microgaming’s commitment to providing exciting gameplay experiences.
Gameplay
Playing Chicken Run involves:
- Setting the Bet : Adjusting the coin value (between £0.25 and £250) or changing the number of active paylines (from 1-5)
- Spinning Reels : Using either the manual Spin button or enabling AutoPlay to execute multiple spins without interruptions
- Collecting Winnings : Enjoying small wins, accumulating rewards from bonus features, or chasing after the max win cap
Mobile Play
Chicken Run is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices running on iOS 9+ (or higher) and Android versions of 5.0 (Lollipop) onwards. This ensures that players can access this slot anywhere, at any time.
Player Experience
Our analysis concludes that Chicken Run delivers an entertaining experience for most slots enthusiasts due to its engaging theme, well-designed graphics, exciting bonus features, and relatively high RTP percentage compared to some competitors in the industry. Players seeking variety from a traditional five-reel game will find themselves enthralled by the multiple winning combinations possible during gameplay.
Overall Analysis
Considering all aspects discussed above – design quality, innovative bonus features, flexible betting range, medium-to-high volatility, generous payouts (including up to 125k times your total bet), and appealing theme – Chicken Run provides an exhilarating experience for many gamers. Although no game is perfect, our comprehensive examination concludes that this Microgaming slot has earned its place as a top contender among modern slots.
The developer’s attention to detail regarding user-friendliness ensures seamless gameplay on both desktops and mobile devices while offering numerous opportunities for users to explore different aspects of the experience through multiple features available throughout various phases within its virtual framework.