Play Beat the Beast Krakens Lair Free Demo

Beat the Beast Kraken's Lair slot review

Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair is the inaugural title in a planned five-game series from Thunderkick, focusing on mythological beasts. This particular instalment centres on the formidable Kraken, a legendary sea monster from Norse mythology. The game is designed with a back-to-basics approach to video slots, offering a straightforward yet engaging experience. Players can spin the reels across 5 reels, 3 rows, and 9 fixed paylines, with betting options ranging from PKR 10 to PKR 10,000 per spin, compatible with all devices.

The slot boasts a standard Return to Player (RTP) rate of 96.12% and is characterised by high volatility. This high volatility is expected to be a consistent feature across the entire series. With a maximum win potential of 7,777 times your stake, players are set for an exciting gaming session. A standout feature is the 'Expanding Wins', where any regular symbol involved in a win alongside a wild symbol will expand to cover its reel. The primary draw, however, is the free spins bonus round, which guarantees a wild/scatter symbol on every spin.

Game symbols and payouts

Visually, Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair delivers the high-quality graphics expected from Thunderkick. The most valuable regular symbol is the large purple Kraken, followed by what appear to be its offspring. The scatter symbol not only provides scatter wins but also offers a significant payout matching the big Kraken symbol if five land on a payline. Standard royal symbols are also present, requiring two to five matching symbols on a payline to form a win. The game's paytable is structured to reward players effectively.

An interesting aspect of the game is that only two higher-value symbols are needed for a win on a payline, whereas the lower-value royals still require at least three. The golden Kraken emblem serves a dual purpose as both a wild and a scatter symbol, offering a substantial payout of 500 times your stake for five on a payline. It also substitutes for all regular symbols, maximising winning opportunities.

Bonus features explained

The primary bonus feature in the base game is the 'Expanding Win' feature. When a winning combination is formed involving the Kraken wild/scatter emblem, the regular winning symbol(s) expand to fill their respective reels. This recalculation of wins can significantly boost payouts and help players maintain their balance while aiming for the main bonus round.

The 'Free Spins' feature is triggered by landing at least three scatter emblem Kraken symbols. Depending on the number of scatters landed (3, 4, or 5), players will receive an immediate scatter win of 2, 20, or 200 times their stake, respectively. Regardless of the number of scatters, players are awarded 10 free spins. During these spins, a single Kraken emblem wild/scatter is randomly placed on a reel for each spin, increasing the likelihood of triggering expanding symbol wins. The bonus round can be retriggered once by landing at least three scatters during the feature, granting an additional 10 spins for a total of 20.

Maximum win potential

Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair does not feature a progressive or fixed jackpot. However, it offers a substantial maximum win of 7,777 times the player's stake. This impressive potential makes it a rewarding choice, especially considering the game's high volatility. For players wagering the maximum bet of PKR 10,000 per spin, a single spin could yield up to PKR 77,770,000.

Where to play Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair

Players can enjoy Beat the Beast: Kraken's Lair for real money at various reputable online casinos that feature Thunderkick games. For those who wish to try the game without wagering real money, a free demo version is available on SlotCatalog. The game is fully optimised for mobile play, ensuring a smooth experience on Android, iPhone, and iPad devices, allowing players to chase wins on the go.

This slot is a strong opening to Thunderkick's "Beat the Beast" series. Its bonus features are effective, and the maximum win potential is considerable for a highly volatile game. While not the most innovative title from the developer, it provides a solid foundation for the subsequent releases in the series.

Pros:

• Expanding win feature
• Free spins with guaranteed scatter/wild
• High volatility and 7,777x max win potential

Cons:

• No separate bonus game or jackpot