Chicken Run
Overview of Chicken Run
The Chicken Run casino slot machine is a 5-reel, 25-payline game developed by Microgaming, one of the leading online gaming providers. The game is based on the popular British stop-motion animated comedy film "Chicken Run" (2000) directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park. The game’s design, theme, and symbols all pay homage to the original film, which tells the story of a group of chickens who hatch a plan to escape from their evil farmer, Mrs. Tweedy.
Theme Design
The Chicken Run slot machine features a Chicken Run colorful and vibrant design inspired by the movie. The background of the game is set in a picturesque countryside with rolling hills and a large farmhouse where the players will find themselves. The reels are decorated with cartoon-style images of chickens, including Ginger (the protagonist) and Mrs. Tweedy’s henchmen, which adds to the lighthearted atmosphere.
Symbols
The game features several symbols inspired by the movie:
- Wild Chicken : The wild symbol is represented by a picture of Ginger, who can substitute for other icons in winning combinations.
- Mrs. Tweedy : The scatter symbol is an image of Mrs. Tweedy’s sinister face.
- Fryer : A chicken named Fryer appears on reels 1 and 5 as a bonus trigger symbol.
- Free Range Chickens : These are the standard paying symbols, which come in different breeds (Leghorn, Silkie, and Plymouth Rock).
- High Value Symbols :
- Ginger’s Favorite Treats
- Egg Crate
- Coop Entrance
These high-value symbols have moderate payout values.
Payouts
The paytable is divided into two sections: standard paying icons and bonus triggers. The payouts are as follows:
- Standard Paying Icons (Free Range Chickens, etc.)
- 3-5 matching symbols on a line: reward varying multipliers from 1x to 10x the total stake
- Bonus Triggers:
- Wild Chicken: acts as an extra symbol that can be used in place of any other standard icon
- Mrs. Tweedy (Scatter): triggers the Free Range Chickens bonus
Wilds and Scatters
The game has one special wild feature, which is Ginger’s image:
- Wild : Any instance where a Wild Chicken appears as part of an active winning combination will award its value.
Additionally, there are two special scatter icons that can appear in any position on the reels to trigger free spins or other bonuses. The Mrs. Tweedy symbol acts as the Scatter and the Free Range Chickens icon has no inherent bonus effect but contributes to forming combinations for rewards.
Bonus Features
The game includes a few engaging bonus features, which help create excitement and opportunities for winning:
- Free Spins : When two Fryer symbols appear on reels 1 and 5 simultaneously (on any spin), the free spins bonus is triggered. This award of up to 15 Free Range Chickens (3×3) offers multiple combinations. The Chicken Run slot does not offer the ‘Reel Reels’ feature.
- Free Spins : An additional set of between two or five Fryer symbols appearing, unlocks one "Bonus Feature" where up to 5 Bonus Triggers are awarded.
Volatility and RTP
Chicken Run has moderate volatility with a theoretical return-to-player (RTP) rate of:
96.00%
This means the slot returns approximately $0.96 for every dollar staked over time; however, individual gameplay experience might be higher or lower depending on luck.
Betting Range and Maximum Win
The betting range is standard with values adjustable from €/£/$ 0.25 to €/£/$ 5 per payline across 1-10 coin bets:
- Coin Minimum: 25c (per line)
- Max Bet: 50 coins (€/£/$2.50 or $3.50 on maximum lines)
Players can adjust their stake according to the bet range with a corresponding change in the chance of winning the game’s top prize.
Max Win
The highest possible win is:
500 times Total Stake
While other slot games might offer more impressive wins, the Chicken Run game has an enticing medium-high maximum payout potential compared to some standard slots.
Gameplay and Player Experience
Playing Chicken Run involves navigating its relatively straightforward gameplay mechanics through choosing stakes per payline or auto-play settings. Most experienced players familiar with classic video slots can pick up this one quite quickly due to minimal bonus complexity:
- Set Bet
- Play (click spin button)
- Adjust settings as necessary
Some slot features are not part of the experience, like Wild Reels, since there’s no dynamic Reel set bonus or ‘Mystery Reward’ – giving more room for the game mechanics in a well-rounded gameplay offering. However, you can also choose your personal bet and enjoy other slots simultaneously with auto-play enabled.
Mobile Play
Chicken Run has been optimized to run smoothly on most mobile devices using HTML5 technology:
- Available as desktop (instant play) or app-based
- Offers standard settings for touch screen control
Since many gamers access their favorite slots while "on the go," this makes Chicken Run slot playable anywhere with an active internet connection.
Analysis and Conclusion
The Chicken Run casino slot machine is a fun, colorful game inspired by the original animated movie. It features engaging bonuses like Free Spins and bonus triggering opportunities via special symbols on reels 1 or 5 in combination (in any position) which increase chances of forming high-value combinations for moderate payouts. While some features may lack complexity compared to other slots with additional Wild Reel mechanics, it offers standard slot gaming experience balanced across maximum potential returns against stakes placed.
Chicken Run provides the best opportunities to win by optimizing gameplay on low betting options per line.