The world of online slots is a vast and wondrous place, with thousands of games to choose from and new ones being released all the time. But what sets one game apart from another? Is it the theme, the design, or something more intangible? In this review, we’ll be taking a close look at Chicken Run, a farm-themed slot machine developed by NetEnt.
Theme and Design
Chicken Run is set on a traditional English farm, complete with rolling hills, haystacks, and of Chicken Run course, chickens. The game’s graphics are bright and colorful, with each element expertly designed to create a charming atmosphere. From the font used in the title logo to the details on the animals themselves, NetEnt has clearly put a lot of thought into making this game visually appealing.
The five reels are set against a backdrop of green fields, where you can watch as chickens roam freely while playing their part in the slot machine experience. The game’s animations and sound effects also contribute significantly to its immersive nature – from the clucking sounds made by the hens when they land on a payline to the celebratory music that plays when you win a prize.
Symbols
The standard symbols used in Chicken Run are based around farm life, with each one offering unique payouts. Here’s what you can expect:
- Low-paying cards (10-5): These appear frequently and offer modest payouts for three or more in combination.
- Hens: Represented by the game’s mascot, Ginger, these hens come in several breeds, including Brown Leghorn and Rhode Island Red, which are particularly valuable when matched correctly across two reels.
Payouts
The payout table for Chicken Run is built around matching symbols on adjacent reels (or both if you’re playing with a multiplier), starting from the left. This creates an interesting dynamic where your bets can produce combinations ranging from relatively small rewards to much larger, albeit less frequent ones. Each combination has its unique payouts depending on what symbols were matched and how many times.
Here’s an example of some common winning combinations:
- 2 hens = 1-5x stake
- 3 hens (in the same breed) = 8-40x stake
Keep in mind that these are base game winnings. While playing, you might discover other bonus features offering higher payouts.
WILDS & SCATTERS
Chicken Run’s special symbols include two main types: Wild and Scatter.
- The Wild is represented by Ginger himself – any wins containing this symbol will automatically be completed into a win.
- Scatters are depicted as farming tools (seed bag or water pump), which trigger the free spin bonus when three appear on an active payline (no matter how they’re positioned).
BONUS FEATURES & FREE SPINS
Here we’ll discuss two unique features that greatly enhance gameplay:
- Free Spins: Three or more of Scatters on a single reel will grant ten spins, which come with tripled winnings throughout the round.
- Bonus Feature ‘Farmer Bonus’ : This involves helping Ginger collect eggs from his coop in exchange for bonus rewards.
RTP & VOLATILITY
Chicken Run’s Return to Player (RTP) percentage is 96%. While RTP doesn’t directly influence gameplay, understanding its impact on overall win potential can help players make informed decisions about their betting strategies.
The game also features medium-high volatility – while smaller wins come more frequently compared to other slots with higher volatility levels, the larger ones seem less accessible and happen less often.
Betting Range
One of the key factors affecting gameplay experience is how much you’re willing to wager on each spin. Chicken Run offers a wide range for players from various budget brackets: From 0.1 to a maximum of 100 in the minimum denomination (i.e., with smaller wagers possible) up to and above 500.
The betting range spans from £/$/€ 0.10 per line all the way up to an impressive ££/$/ .
