Chicken Run is a farm-themed online slot machine developed by Microgaming, one of the most renowned providers of casino software solutions. The game’s release was part of the company’s efforts to create engaging and entertaining experiences for its players, drawing inspiration from popular media like movies and TV shows. This review will delve into every aspect Chicken Run of Chicken Run, providing an in-depth analysis of its theme, design, gameplay elements, bonus features, technical specifications, and overall performance.
Theme and Design
The game is set on a farm, complete with rolling hills, lush greenery, and fluffy chickens roaming freely. The backdrop is a bright blue sky with occasional wispy clouds floating by, giving the impression of a peaceful rural scene. Microgaming’s graphics team has done an excellent job in creating detailed visuals that are both colorful and inviting.
The reels themselves feature various farm-related symbols, including Chickens (scatter), Eggs, Hatching Chicks, Sheep, Cows, Ducks, Pigs, Tractors, Barrels, and Feathers. These icons are depicted with high-quality pixel art, adding to the charm of the game’s visuals. The user interface is equally impressive, with easy-to-read fonts and simple navigation.
Symbols
The standard paytable symbols in Chicken Run include:
- Egg (lowest paying symbol)
- Hatching Chick
- Sheep
- Cows
- Ducks
These symbols will land on the 5×3 grid of reels, offering winning combinations when at least three matching icons appear from left to right. The payout multipliers for each of these symbols are as follows: Eagle Egg x0.10, Hatching Chicks x1.00, Sheep x2.50, Cows x4.75, and Ducks x5.00.
Payouts
In addition to the standard paytable symbols, Chicken Run features a Wild icon (represented by a smiling chicken). The Wild acts as a substitute for all other regular paying icons, helping players create more winning combinations by filling in gaps between the payline matches. The Eagle Egg scatter is also worth mentioning here, as three or more scattered Eggs trigger the free spins feature.
The payouts themselves are moderate compared to other Microgaming titles, with most wins ranging from 1x bet up to 2500x. However, it’s essential for players to note that Chicken Run features a rather low hit frequency due to its medium-high volatility setting (see below).
Wilds and Scatters
The Wild symbol in Chicken Run is the smiling chicken icon mentioned above, while the scatter represents the Eagle Egg.
- The Wild will land on reels 2-5 during normal gameplay sessions.
- It will substitute for all other regular paying symbols to create new combinations when required.
On the other hand:
- Three or more scattered Eagles will trigger ten free spins at double payouts.
- In addition, if three scattered Eggs appear on reels two and four, there are nine extra free spins waiting in store.
Bonus Features
Chicken Run does not lack bonus features to keep players engaged throughout their session. Some of the notable ones include:
- Free Spins Bonus: Triggered by three or more Egg scatters (explained above), this feature offers ten free games with doubled payouts.
- The player will receive an additional nine free spins if three scattered Eggs appear on reels two and four.
Gameplay
Here’s a brief overview of how to play Chicken Run:
- Select Your Bet: Choose your bet amount by adjusting the coin value (from $0.01 up to $2) or opt for Autoplay (with adjustable limits).
- Spin the Reels: Click the Spin button to start playing, and watch as the reels spin automatically.
- Take Advantage of Bonus Features: As mentioned earlier, activate free spins with three scattered Eggs (at any position on the screen), which can be retriggered.
- Winning Combinations: Line up symbols from left to right across adjacent paylines for cash prizes.
The game offers a wide betting range that suits both casual and serious players:
- A minimum bet of $0.01 per line, with higher stakes going up to $2.
- As you can play on multiple pay lines (up to 30), the maximum coin size reaches up to 900 coins for each spin.
Mobile Play
As Chicken Run is a mobile-optimized game developed by Microgaming, players using Android and iOS devices will experience an almost identical experience when playing via their phone or tablet. However, due to space limitations on some of these smaller screens, the user interface may be slightly condensed but still just as intuitive.
Player Experience
The overall gaming experience offered by Chicken Run is characterized by:
- Smooth Gameplay: This slot machine features very smooth animations and sound effects.
- While it can become quite thrilling when the right icons align on the reels during spins, its not overly complex.
- As with most online slots from reputable developers like Microgaming, you can trust that Chicken Run meets modern standards for fairness (verified by independent auditors), providing an exciting yet equitable experience.
Volatility and RTP
To put it simply, medium-volatility means both the slot will offer fewer wins compared to low-variability games but these few will be significant. According to Microgaming’s official documentation:
- The theoretical Return To Player (RTP) of Chicken Run is 96.04%, placing this game on par with other slots developed by popular providers.
- Volatility wise, we see it being categorized as a ‘Medium’ – which means players have slightly fewer opportunities for regular wins compared to its lower-volatility counterparts but stand the chance at potentially greater wins.
Max Win
The maximum possible win in Chicken Run is 50,000x your initial stake, making this slot appealing to those who aim high while accepting the likelihood of facing a shorter break between winning combinations due to medium-high variance characteristics.
Gameplay Mechanics and Overall Analysis
While our analysis highlights an engaging atmosphere for fans of farm-themed slots, as with all games from reputable sources such as Microgaming, players are well-protected by solid RTP statistics combined with regular updates addressing potential imbalances in the long term.
