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Release the Kraken
Release the Kraken is Pragmatic Play's deep-sea high-volatility slot on a 5x4 grid with 20 paylines in the base game and 40 during free spins. The default RTP is 96.50%, and the maximum win is 10,000x your stake. The free-spins round is where the game's value concentrates: you pick treasure chests to set the number of spins, then every wild that lands roams to a new position on each spin and lifts a win multiplier by 1x for each wild on the grid. Those roaming wilds and the building multiplier are the game's central mechanic.
Key takeaways
- RTP: 96.50% default. Pragmatic may offer lower configurations at some casinos; verify in the game's info panel.
- Volatility: high. Base-game payouts are modest on 20 fixed paylines; value concentrates in the free-spins bonus and its three variant types.
- Max win: 10,000x your stake, reachable in the Roaming Kraken free spins when several roaming wilds stack and the win multiplier climbs.
- Roaming wilds: every wild in free spins moves to a new position on each spin and raises a win multiplier by 1x for each wild on the grid, so more wilds mean a higher multiplier.
- Paylines double in free spins: 20 paylines in the base game expand to 40 during the bonus round, increasing the win coverage on the same 5x4 grid.
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Grid structure and paylines
Release the Kraken uses a 5-reel, 4-row grid, larger than the standard 5x3 found in most Pragmatic titles of the same era. Base-game paylines are 20; the free-spins round expands these to 40, covering more of the grid area and increasing the win frequency on the same symbol landing. The sea-creature theme features a kraken, shark, turtle, and tropical fish as the higher-paying symbols, with card royals as the low-pays. The kraken logo is the most valuable regular symbol.
The Roaming Kraken free spins
The free-spins round is the game’s defining feature. It triggers when bonus symbols land on reels one and three with the Free Spins symbol on reel five. Before the round begins you pick from a set of treasure chests, and the chest you choose sets how many free spins you start with.
Once the spins begin, the grid runs on 40 paylines instead of the base 20. The key mechanic is the roaming wild: any wild that lands stays on screen for the rest of the round but moves to a new random position on every spin, so its payline coverage changes spin to spin. Each wild on the grid also adds 1x to a running win multiplier, so the more wilds in play, the higher every win is multiplied.
A round that keeps two or three wilds roaming for several spins builds a meaningful multiplier, and that is where the larger free-spins payouts come from. A round with few wilds and a low multiplier returns modestly. The variance is in how many wilds stay in play and how high the multiplier climbs before the spins run out.
RTP and payline expansion
The 96.50% default is consistent with Pragmatic’s stronger-performing titles in the high-volatility category. The payline doubling from 20 to 40 in free spins is a mechanical lever that increases win coverage without changing the reel layout: the 40-payline evaluation applies to the same 5x4 grid, simply counting more possible left-to-right combinations. Combined with the active bonus variant, free-spins sessions can produce substantially more coverage than the base game.
Pragmatic’s lower-RTP configurations apply here as they do across the catalogue. The info panel at your casino shows the active version. A 94% or 95% configuration returns meaningfully less per spin than the 96.50% default, particularly in a high-volatility game where the free-spins trigger is infrequent.
Volatility and the free-spins trigger rate
High volatility means the base game is not the primary source of returns. The 20 paylines on a 5x4 grid produce base-game wins, but they are modest relative to the stakes required to sustain a session long enough to trigger free spins. The trigger frequency determines how often the bonus arrives, and the roaming wilds and multiplier determine the payout. A session with a few short free-spins rounds at low multipliers looks very different from one where the wilds roam for many spins and the multiplier climbs high.
Sizing stakes to allow for a meaningful number of spins before expecting a bonus trigger is the practical approach to the game’s volatility profile.
Where to play online
Release the Kraken is available at crypto casinos carrying Pragmatic Play’s library. For casinos where you can verify the active RTP configuration and deposit in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, see our crypto casinos page. For live table games alongside slots, see our live dealer page.
Free, confidential help is available from GamCare and Gambling Therapy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Release the Kraken 2 a follow-up to this slot?
Yes. Release the Kraken 2 is a Pragmatic Play sequel to this game. It builds on the same sea-creature theme and roaming-wild free-spins idea but introduces additional mechanics. If you enjoy the roaming-wild format in the original, the sequel is the natural next title to try. Both are available at casinos carrying Pragmatic Play's library.
What is the RTP of Release the Kraken?
The default RTP is 96.50%, which is above the typical online slot average. Pragmatic Play makes lower-RTP configurations available to operators, so the version at your casino may differ. Always check the figure in the game's information panel before playing.
What is the maximum win on Release the Kraken?
The maximum win is 10,000x your stake, reachable during the Roaming Kraken free spins when several roaming wilds sit on the grid together and the win multiplier has climbed. Reaching the ceiling needs strong wild coverage and a high multiplier across the expanded 40-payline evaluation. It is the design ceiling, not a typical session outcome.
How do the free spins work in Release the Kraken?
Before the round starts you pick treasure chests, which set the number of free spins you get. During the spins the grid runs on 40 paylines, and every wild that lands becomes a roaming wild: it stays on screen but moves to a new position on each spin, and each wild present adds 1x to a running win multiplier. So a round that keeps several wilds in play builds a higher and higher multiplier, which is where the larger free-spins wins come from.
Is Release the Kraken high volatility?
Yes. The base game operates on 20 fixed paylines with a 5x4 grid, producing modest wins between bonus triggers. The free-spins round is where value concentrates, and the trigger rate is infrequent, which is the normal structure for a high-volatility title. A session without multiple bonus fires can run at a loss even at the full default RTP.
Does Release the Kraken have a bonus buy?
Where the casino and local regulations permit it, a bonus buy option lets you enter the free-spins round directly for a set cost. Availability varies by operator and jurisdiction. If it is offered, the cost reflects the expected value of reaching the bonus through base-game play and does not change the long-run return percentage.
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