Gameplay and Features
Introduction
Relax Gaming dives deep into the ocean once more with Kraken’s Cove, a pirate-themed slot built on the mechanics of their 2022 hit, Plunderland. Known for nautical adventures like Cowabunga Dream Drop and Shark Wash, the studio’s love for the sea continues. Kraken’s Cove blends cuteness with a hint of terror—featuring a cartoonish Kraken and playful island aesthetics balanced by skeletons and lurking sharks. Let’s break down everything this thrilling cluster-pays slot has to offer.
Theme and Visuals
Kraken’s Cove transports players to a sun-kissed pirate paradise, reminiscent of Dead Man’s Trail but with a warmer, friendlier atmosphere. The game opens with a stunning animation of a colossal, adorable-yet-intimidating Kraken rising from the depths. The 7×7 grid sits atop clear blue waters, surrounded by tiny islands and a central ‘hot spot’—crucial for unlocking major rewards.
Kraken’s Cove: Slot Mechanics and Key Stats
- Reels & Rows: 7×7 cluster-pays grid
- Volatility: Medium to High
- RTP: Up to 96.1%
- Bet Range: €0.10 to €100 per spin
- Max Win: 10,000x the stake
The game uses a cluster-pays mechanic: landing 5 or more matching symbols horizontally or vertically triggers wins. Winning clusters explode and new symbols cascade into place, potentially forming consecutive wins in a single spin.
Pay Symbols and Payouts
- Low-Paying Symbols: Card suits (Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, Hearts)
- High-Paying Symbols: Pirate-themed icons (Ship’s Wheel, Kraken Juice Bottle, Pirate Hat, Pirate Character)
- Wild Symbol: Treasure chest, which substitutes for all regular symbols
Clusters of 5 matching symbols pay 0.1x to 0.5x the bet, while massive clusters of 32 symbols reward up to 500x. With cascading reels, multiple payouts can occur per spin.
Kraken’s Cove: Slot Features
Kraken’s Cove packs a bounty of features, making gameplay dynamic and rewarding:
- Ship Wild Expansion Collection: Collect coins from wild chests to grow the Ship Wild. For every 5 coins collected, the Ship Wild’s expansion size increases when it reaches the hot spot.
- Ship Wild: Present on every spin, the Ship Wild moves one step closer to the hot spot with each win. Upon reaching the hot spot, it expands (from 2×2 to 5×5) based on collected coins, and its multiplier increases with every win.
- Free Spins: Triggered by 3 scatters, awarding 5 spins. During free spins, the Ship Wild’s multiplier and expansion progress are persistent.
- Free Spins Gamble: Players can gamble for up to 20 free spins or a starting Ship Wild multiplier up to 50x. A failed gamble reduces spins or returns to the base game.
- Feature Buy: Free spins can be purchased for 50x the bet, or upgraded free spins with a higher starting level for 250x.
Free Spins and Multipliers
The free spins round is where Kraken’s Cove truly shines:
- Sticky Ship Wild: The Ship Wild multiplier increases with every cluster win and remains active throughout the free spins.
- Persistent Progression: Ship Wild expansions and multipliers carry over between spins, building tension with each cascade.
- Free Spins Gamble: Tempting yet risky—gambling for more spins or higher multipliers can significantly boost payouts.
Bonus Buy Options
Players can shortcut to the bonus rounds via the feature buy options:
- Standard Free Spins: 50x the bet
- Upgraded Free Spins (Higher Starting Level): 250x the bet
Final Verdict on Kraken’s Cove
Kraken’s Cove is a thrilling addition to Relax Gaming’s portfolio, retaining the best elements from Plunderland while adding new layers of excitement. The Ship Wild mechanic, with its ability to expand and accumulate multipliers, creates adrenaline-fueled gameplay, especially during free spins.
While the base game can feel tight with payouts, the persistent Ship Wild mechanic ensures every win contributes to building high-potential outcomes. The ability to gamble for more free spins or a higher multiplier adds another strategic element for risk-takers.
With a maximum win of 10,000x the bet, Kraken’s Cove offers plenty of treasure for those daring to face the Kraken. It balances engaging visuals, rewarding features, and nail-biting bonus rounds—perfect for players seeking adventure with a high-risk, high-reward twist.
Sail into Kraken’s Cove and let the treasure hunt begin!