Chicken Run is a 5-reel, 25-payline video slot game developed by Microgaming, one of the most renowned software providers in the online casino industry. Released in 2017, this game has captured the attention of many players with its unique theme and exciting gameplay features.
Theme and Chicken Run game Design
The Chicken Run slot is set on a farm where chickens are attempting to escape from an evil farmer’s grasp. The game’s design is colorful and vibrant, with cartoon-style graphics that bring the characters to life. The reels are surrounded by a farm setting, complete with rolling hills, trees, and farm animals in the background.
Symbols
The game features several symbols related to chickens, including:
- Chickens (low-paying) – depicted as different breeds of chicken, each with unique designs
- Farmer (scatter symbol)
- Tractor (wild symbol)
Higher-paying symbols include:
- Cluck Norris (bonus symbol)
- Hatching Egg
Payouts
The game offers a range of payout values for winning combinations. The highest-paying combination is 10x the bet amount, awarded when five Chickens land on adjacent reels.
Here are some examples of payouts:
- Five Tractor wild symbols: 1000 coins
- Four Cluck Norris bonus symbols: 500 coins
- Three Hatching Egg high-pay symbols: 200 coins
Wilds and Scatters
The Wild symbol is represented by the tractor, which substitutes for all other symbols (except scatter) to form winning combinations.
The Scatter symbol is the farmer’s face, which triggers free spins when three or more land on the reels. The number of free spins awarded increases with each additional scatter: 10, 15, and 20 spins are granted respectively.
Bonus Features
Chicken Run features several bonus rounds:
- Free Spins : Triggered by landing three or more Farmer scatter symbols. Free spins can be retriggered during the feature.
- Hatchling Bonus : Awarded when a Hatching Egg symbol lands on reel five, triggering up to 10 free games with increasing multipliers.
RTP and Volatility
The game’s RTP (Return-to-Player) percentage is set at an average value of 95.2%, which means players can expect to win back approximately £94 for every £100 staked over a long period.
Volatility, or the game’s unpredictability, lies in its medium to high rating. This suggests that the game may pay out less frequently but with larger sums when wins do occur.
Betting Range
Players have flexibility with bet options ranging from 1p to £10 per spin on all 25 paylines. The minimum and maximum stake values are as follows:
- Minimum: £0.01 (per line)
- Maximum: £250 (per round)
Max Win
The theoretical max win in Chicken Run is set at a substantial 2,500 times the bet amount.
Gameplay
Players navigate through various farm settings to reach the bonus rounds and trigger payouts. Each reel spin takes approximately 1-5 seconds, depending on internet connection speed and device performance. Auto-play functionality allows players to choose up to 100 automatic spins in increments of 10 or 20 games.
The game’s overall pace is relatively slow due to its cartoon-style animation and occasional background sound effects.
Mobile Play
Chicken Run has been optimized for mobile play across Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. The design remains largely unchanged from the desktop version, although some minor adjustments have been made to ensure a seamless experience on smaller screens.
Players can enjoy Chicken Run through various online casinos and betting platforms, including Microgaming-powered sites like 32Red Casino or bet365.
Player Experience
The game has generally received positive reviews from players who appreciate its unique theme and engaging bonus features. Many reviewers praise the free spins mechanism for providing numerous opportunities to win large sums without excessive investment.
However, a few critics have noted that the base-game payouts are relatively low compared to more high-risk slots on the market. Others have commented on the slow pace of gameplay due to animation effects and short spin intervals.
Overall Analysis
Chicken Run offers an exciting experience for players seeking a fun slot with engaging graphics, bonus features, and moderate risk. The game’s medium volatility and average RTP value provide a fair balance between rewarding wins and steady returns over long periods.
While not particularly original or unique compared to other Microgaming slots like Break da Bank or Immortal Romance, Chicken Run maintains an immersive atmosphere and offers substantial payouts for those who persevere through the bonus rounds. Players may enjoy trying this game as part of their online casino rotation due to its engaging theme and rewarding gameplay features.
Conclusion
Chicken Run is a delightful addition to Microgaming’s portfolio of video slots, with its colorful design, entertaining characters, and enjoyable gameplay mechanics providing hours of entertainment for players. Its volatility level allows for wins at various stages throughout the game, making it appealing to both casual and high-stakes gamers alike.
Newcomers can take advantage of demo versions available on many online casinos or explore other Microgaming games with similar designs, such as Mermaid Millions or Mega Moolah.
Recommendation
With a moderate level of complexity compared to other slots in its range, we recommend Chicken Run for those who appreciate cartoon-style graphics and varied gameplay features. Players seeking more fast-paced action might enjoy some online slot variants like Avalon II, King of Slots, or Guns & Roses (NetEnt).