Chicken Run is a 5-reel online video slot machine developed by Microgaming, a renowned software provider in the iGaming industry. The game’s theme revolves around Aardman Animations’ beloved stop-motion animated film of the same name, released in 2000. In this review, we’ll delve into every aspect of Chicken Run to provide an exhaustive analysis for players and potential slot enthusiasts.
Theme
Chicken Run is set in a farmyard where chickens are plotting to Chicken Run escape from their sinister farmer, Mrs. Tweedy. The game’s colorful graphics transport players to the charming world of claymation, complete with animated characters like Ginger and Rocky, the lead chicken couple trying to evade capture by their human captors.
Design
The slot machine features a distinctive design that mirrors its film counterpart. Players will see five reels filled with 25 fixed paylines, offering an engaging gameplay experience. Each symbol represents key elements from the movie: animals (chickens, ducks, turkeys), farm equipment, and even Mrs. Tweedy herself.
Symbols
The Chicken Run symbols include:
- Ginger
- Rocky
- Mrs. Tweedy
- Aardman Productions logo
- Ace
- King
- Queen
- Jack
These characters appear in various combinations to form winning paylines, with Ginger and Rocky serving as the most valuable wilds.
Payouts
Chicken Run offers a relatively standard payout structure for slot enthusiasts:
- The Aardman Productions logo symbol is a Wild multiplier (2x).
- Chicken symbols pay up to 20 times.
- Duck and Turkey symbols pay up to 10 times.
- Mrs. Tweedy pays out up to 5 times.
Wilds
The Ginger and Rocky characters serve as the highest-value wild symbols, replacing all standard symbols in a winning combination except for Scatters and Wild Multipliers. Although their value is determined by the symbol below them, these wilds significantly boost the chances of forming high-paying combinations.
Scatters
Mrs. Tweedy acts as a Scatter, awarding free spins when at least two or more appear anywhere on the reels. When 2-4 Scatters are achieved, players receive:
- 10 Free Spins (50x bet).
- 15 Free Spins (100x bet).
Bonus Features
Chicken Run doesn’t offer any specific bonus features apart from its free spin rounds and wild symbols. However, the game does have some exciting in-play perks that can enhance player experience.
Free Spins
When Scatters appear on reels 1 and 3 or reels 2-4, players unlock a variety of rewards:
- Two Scatter awards offer ten free spins.
- Three Scatter awards result in fifteen free spins.
- Four Scatters award twenty-five free spins.
In each case, all wins during these rounds are multiplied by the corresponding multiplier applied when the bonus round is activated: 5x for two, 10x for three, or 25x for four. Unfortunately, Chicken Run does not feature re-activating Free Spins.
RTP
The Return-to-Player (RTP) of this online slot machine is unknown due to Microgaming’s reluctance to disclose RTP values openly in the iGaming industry. However, considering its medium-low volatility rating and 96% – 97% return rate from other games within the same series, we can infer a possible range for Chicken Run as well.
Volatility
Chicken Run falls into the Medium-Low Volatility category due to:
- A higher number of low-value wins (lower value but more frequent).
- Less high-paying combination formations.
This makes it relatively easy on players and may attract new gamers looking for lower-stakes games with greater stability in terms of rewards.
Betting Range
Chicken Run allows bets from 0.25 to 50 credits per spin, accommodating a range of budget options:
- Low stakes – Perfect for casual gaming.
- Medium stakes – For more frequent gameplay and varied bet adjustments.
- High stakes – Ideal for high-rollers who prefer big-risk games.
Max Win
Chicken Run features an upper limit on payouts corresponding to the total coin value multiplied by 0, in terms of number combinations occurring. As such, a combination would look as follows: max coin amount × [number of winning combinations], assuming all reels produce six chickens per row with a bet that’s fully covering all possible positions.
However we cannot say the absolute maximum for which Chicken Run has to offer is less than 10 times any win value.
Gameplay
Chicken Run can be played at various Microgaming-powered casinos and mobile platforms. With a relatively standard design structure, players will quickly become familiar with its gameplay:
- Press ‘Start’ or tap to begin playing.
- Use the ‘-Auto Play’ option for continuous spins without interruption.
- The game adjusts automatically when using mobile versions of these slot machines.
Mobile Play
Chicken Run supports cross-platform compatibility and can be played on most popular devices, including smartphones (Android, iOS) and tablets:
- Mobile gamers can seamlessly transfer gameplay to the web-based version upon switching platforms.
- No dedicated download is required for mobile versions.
- Aardman’s beloved characters are as vibrant and visually appealing on smaller screens as they were originally in cinemas.
Player Experience
Chicken Run offers an engaging slot machine experience that:
- Combines charm from stop-motion animation with a fun storyline.
- Offers moderate volatility to suit different player preferences.
- Can become challenging, especially during the bonus round phase due to Wild Multipliers and multipliers applied on Scatter wins.
In conclusion, Chicken Run is another appealing entry in Microgaming’s diverse portfolio of slot machines. This Aardman Animations-themed video game promises:
- Beautiful stop-motion graphics that perfectly encapsulate its theme.
- Decent payouts with a focus on creating frequent winning combinations instead of rewarding massive multipliers.
- Medium-Low volatility for casual and low-risk gamers.
Overall Analysis
In summary, Chicken Run’s engaging gameplay provides an experience worth exploring, particularly among fans of claymation animation or those seeking relatively stable medium-volatility slots offering moderate returns.
