The Chicken Run slots machine is a 5-reel, 20-payline online slot developed by NetEnt, based on the popular animated movie of the same name. Released in 2018, this game promises to deliver an entertaining experience for both casual players and fans of the franchise.
Theme and Design
Upon launching the game, players are Chicken Run review transported to a farm where chickens are running amok. The reels are set against a colorful backdrop of rolling hills, with animated chickens roaming freely around them. The design is faithful to the original film’s style, incorporating recognizable characters like Ginger, Rocky, and the notorious Farmer Harris.
The slot’s theme revolves around escaping from the farmer’s clutches, providing an engaging storyline that enhances gameplay. Each spin brings players closer to freedom or disaster, thanks to various features that can either help or hinder progress.
Symbols
As one would expect, the symbols are designed to reflect the game’s rural setting and movie inspirations:
- Low-value symbols: Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Tens (paying 1x-10x)
- Mid-value symbols:
- Farmer Harris’ hat
- Chickens in various poses (5x-20x)
- High-value symbol: Ginger the chicken leader (100x)
- Wild: Rocky the clever rooster
Payouts
The Chicken Run slot offers relatively standard payouts, considering its volatility level. Wagers can range from $0.01 to $500 per spin, accommodating both low-stakes players and high-rollers.
For example:
- A single payline win with three Ginger symbols pays 10x the total bet
- Five of a kind (Ace or King) on an active payline yields 50x
Wilds
The Rocky wild symbol acts as any basic symbol, helping to complete winning combinations. However, when appearing in a group of at least three chickens, it transforms into a multiplier.
Scatters and Bonus Features
Two scatter symbols – Farmer Harris’ hat (FARMER) and the movie title’s logo (CHICKEN RUN) – can trigger various features:
- FARMER: Lands 3-5 on any reel to initiate a Free Spins round, with awards from 10x to 100x total bet
- CHICKEN RUN:
- Landing three or four scatters activates the "Scatter Wins" feature, awarding 2.6x and 11x respective payouts
- Five scatters activate "Bonus Games"
Free Spins
During the FARMER scatter feature:
- Free spins can be triggered with awards ranging from 10 to 100 times the total bet
- Each win is tripled during the Free Spin round
Moreover, if a player lands three CHICKEN RUN scatters and then immediately gets another on their next spin (re-triggering), it unlocks an additional bonus game.
Bonus Features
The "Scatter Wins" feature awards credits based on scatter symbol combinations. When four or five of either FARMER or CHICKEN RUN symbols appear, a respective payout is awarded. These bonuses can be retriggered throughout gameplay.
Additionally:
- Landing three Chicken Run logos and two other CHICKEN RUN scatters (in any order) unlocks the "Bonus Games" feature:
- The player is awarded up to 20 free spins with various multipliers applied to each spin
- Any win achieved during these Free Spins will be multiplied by one of four randomly selected multipliers: x3, x5, or even up to x10.
The Chicken Run slot features a relatively low to medium volatility setting, providing players with consistent rewards throughout gameplay but without delivering infrequent large wins.
RTP and Volatility
According to NetEnt’s documentation, the Return-to-Player (RTP) for this game is 96.4%. Given its Medium/High volatility classification by various review websites, the Chicken Run slot seems balanced in terms of frequency and payout potential, allowing both high-stakes players and casual users alike a rewarding experience.
Betting Range
The minimum bet to play Chicken Run slots machine starts from $0.01 per line (max 20 lines), making it accessible for low rollers who can place wagers ranging between $0.02 and $1.
Max Win Potential
A well-timed combination of scatters, Free Spins activation, and multiplier multipliers in bonus rounds could deliver potential payouts up to the game’s maximum win: $4,500 (on a $50 stake).
Gameplay Experience
Playing Chicken Run is an immersive experience that combines engaging design with enticing features. Throughout the gameplay session:
- Multiple features are re-triggered consistently due to relatively frequent scatter landing
- The bonus games and multiplier potential increase anticipation
The balance between win frequency and payouts makes this slot a great fit for casual players seeking regular, not necessarily large, rewards.
Mobile Play
NetEnt’s implementation of HTML5 technology has enabled the game to be optimized for mobile devices. Players can access Chicken Run slots from anywhere using their smartphones or tablets via online casinos offering NetEnt games, either in landscape mode on larger screens or portrait orientation for more compact displays.
The result is an intuitive interface and responsive design that provides optimal interactivity with any touch device’s limitations considered.
Player Experience
Throughout its relatively short playthrough period, the Chicken Run slots experience was characterized by:
- Regular activation of bonus features
- Multiple wins due to scatters landing consistently throughout gameplay
- Engaging visuals and animations contributing positively to overall gaming atmosphere
However, potential large wins during these sessions were often preceded or interrupted by smaller rewards. The trade-off for players lies in balancing frequent win anticipation with infrequent but substantial payouts.
Overall Analysis
Chicken Run slots machine has provided an enjoyable experience due to its:
- Faithful representation of the beloved franchise
- Engaging storyline that immerses the player into its world
However, certain limitations include the slot’s relatively standard payout structure and lackluster potential for significant wins. Nonetheless, as part of NetEnt’s portfolio, Chicken Run serves as an enjoyable addition suitable for both casual players seeking regular rewards and fans of animated films looking to revisit a classic story.
Upon reflection, the balanced gameplay provides consistent results while preserving player anticipation throughout its average 15-30 minute session duration (dependent on playstyle).