Chicken Run is a farm-themed online video slot developed by Novomatic, a renowned game developer in the iGaming industry. This engaging slot game takes players on an entertaining journey through the life and times of a group of endearing chickens on a mission to escape the clutches of their cruel farmer. Set against the backdrop of a rural English countryside, Chicken Run is a visually appealing slot that combines colorful graphics with a user-friendly Chicken Run interface.
Theme
The theme of Chicken Run revolves around the concept of freedom and escapism, as embodied by the protagonist, Ginger, a clever and determined chicken on a mission to save her friends from being slaughtered. The game’s storyline is loosely based on the popular stop-motion animated film of the same name. As players navigate through the reels, they are immersed in an environment filled with lush green pastures, farmhouses, and vintage farming equipment.
Design
The design of Chicken Run features a 5×3 grid layout, accommodating up to 25 paylines for potential winnings. The game’s visuals are vibrant and whimsical, evoking the nostalgia of classic children’s tales. Each reel is adorned with farm-themed icons, such as roosters, hens, eggs, corn, and vegetables, which contribute to the game’s lighthearted ambiance.
Symbols
The game features a total of 14 symbols, categorized into two groups: standard symbols and special symbols. Standard symbols include low-value icons like A, K, Q, J, and 10, while higher-paying icons depict farm animals like roosters and hens. The wild symbol is represented by Ginger’s picture, which can substitute for all other standard symbols to create winning combinations.
Payouts
The payouts of Chicken Run are moderate compared to other online slots in the market. Players can expect modest returns from their wagers on low-paying symbols, but higher-stakes players may find it more rewarding to land combos with high-value icons. To put this into perspective, a five-egg combination will reward 250x the player’s line bet.
Wilds and Scatters
As mentioned earlier, Ginger acts as both wild and scatter symbol in Chicken Run. The Ginger icon can substitute for all other standard symbols to create winning combinations or act as a scatter to trigger free spins when three or more land on adjacent reels. Players must note that the ginger icon does not substitute for scatters during the free spin feature.
Bonus Features
Chicken Run features two bonus rounds, each triggered by specific combinations of Ginger icons:
1. The first is the ‘Free Games’ round: When players land three or four Scatters (Ginger), they are awarded 5 to 15 Free Spins respectively. During these spins, a second set of reels appears on top of the main reels.
2. The second is the ‘Feature Game’: When five Scatters appear on adjacent reels in either direction, it triggers this round. Players receive 10 feature games with a multiplier varying between x1 to x100 applied randomly during each spin.
Free Spins
The free spin feature, activated when three or more Ginger icons land on any reel, awards players up to 15 spins and multipliers of up to x30. Each win is multiplied by the respective multiplier applied at the start of each game. When all games have been played, a bonus payout is awarded based on the total number of free spin rounds triggered.
RTP
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage for Chicken Run stands at 95.10%. This percentage indicates that out of every £100 staked in the slot, the player can expect to receive back approximately £95.10 over a considerable period and an infinite number of spins. Although not exceptionally high by modern standards, this RTP offers better returns than many other slots on offer.
Volatility
Chicken Run falls under medium volatility, as indicated by Novomatic’s development team. This rating suggests that the game is neither extremely hot nor cold in its payout distribution; it balances consistency with moderate reward potential to provide a seamless gaming experience for players at various stakes.
Betting Range
Chicken Run allows bets starting from £1 to £100 per line and offers an adjustable coin value of 0.10-50 coins, catering to both low-stakes casual gamers and highrollers alike.
Max Win
The maximum win in Chicken Run stands at a modest x20,000 bet amount when two Scatter (Ginger) combinations appear on reels 2 and 5. While not spectacular by modern slots’ standards, it still provides an enticing return for those who strike the combination successfully.
Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, Chicken Run is designed with accessibility in mind. Each spin is initiated using a large ‘Spin’ button located at the center bottom of the screen. To control stake and line bet adjustments, players can click on specific coin values or manually input custom amounts through the dedicated betting buttons nearby.
Mobile Play
The game has been optimized for seamless play across various mobile devices running iOS 6+ or Android versions 4+. Players using tablets will be greeted by a responsive layout with intuitive controls that mimic those found in the desktop version. A ‘Mobile Mode’ button at the top right corner of the screen switches to portrait mode and optimizes graphics accordingly.
Player Experience
Chicken Run is geared towards attracting both casual gamers seeking an entertaining experience and high-stakes players looking for consistent payouts. Players will find a rewarding game with numerous bonus opportunities that can lead to higher returns, yet moderate stakes should be expected due to its balanced volatility profile.
In conclusion, Chicken Run presents itself as a reliable option in the vast library of online slot machines offered by Novomatic.