Chicken Run is a 5-reel, 20-payline online casino slot game developed by Microgaming, based on the popular computer-animated comedy film of the same name. Released in 2000, the slot has been revamped with modern graphics and animations while maintaining its classic charm. In this review, we’ll delve into every aspect of Chicken Run, covering its theme, design, symbols, payouts, wilds, Chicken Run scatters, bonus features, free spins, RTP, volatility, betting range, max win, gameplay, mobile play, player experience, overall analysis, and more.
Theme and Design
The Chicken Run slot is set in the charming world of Aylesbury Prison Farm, where a group of chickens hatch an audacious escape plan. The game’s background depicts a sunny farm landscape with rolling hills, trees, and a large farm gate leading out to freedom. The reels are positioned within a wooden fence, complete with intricately carved posts and gates. Players will find themselves in the midst of this idyllic setting as they spin the reels.
The design is colorful and vibrant, with characters from the film making appearances throughout the game. Zany Farm Dog, Babs’ mate, Ginger, the egg-laying chicken, Mrs Tweedy’s daughter-in-law, and many other lovable characters add to the whimsical atmosphere. The slot’s controls are neatly arranged below the reels, allowing players to easily adjust their bet and spin the reels.
Symbols
The game features a variety of symbols that cater to both new and seasoned gamers. These include high-paying icons like Zany Farm Dog (Wild), Babs’ mate Ginger (Scatter), and Mrs Tweedy’s daughter-in-law (High-Paying Symbol). Low-value symbols consist of playing card suits – spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds.
The game’s highest-paying symbol is the Wild Chick icon, which can appear on reels 1, 3, or 5. When this Wild appears on a winning combination, it substitutes for other symbols to complete the win. The Scatter Ginger character awards up to 300 coins when 5 of these icons appear anywhere in view.
Payouts
The payout table is relatively standard compared to modern slots, with some notable exceptions. For example, landing five Zany Farm Dog Wilds on a payline rewards the player with an impressive 200x multiplier for the triggering bet amount. Additionally, getting three or more Ginger Scatter symbols anywhere in view unlocks the Free Spins feature.
Here’s a breakdown of the game’s payout structure:
- Wild (Zany Farm Dog): 2x – 2000x
- Scatter (Ginger): 5x
- High-Paying Symbols:
- Mrs Tweedy’s daughter-in-law: 1.6x – 40x
- Zazoo: 1.6x – 30x
- Low-paying Symbols:
- Hearts, Clubs, Spades, Diamonds (9s): 0.4x – 10x
Wilds
As mentioned earlier, the Wild icon is represented by the lovable Zany Farm Dog character. This symbol can appear on reels 1, 3, or 5 and serves as a substitute for other symbols to complete winning combinations.
In addition to its standard functionality, Zany Farm Dog also offers additional benefits during certain gameplay scenarios:
- Replacing other high-paying icons: When Zany Farm Dog appears next to another Wild icon on a payline, it substitutes both characters with the higher value of each.
- Combining Free Spins: If two or more Zany Farm Dogs appear in adjacent reels (reels 1 and 2, 3 and 4, or 4 and 5), they create an extra set of Free Spins.
Scatters
Ginger’s Scatter icon has multiple roles within the Chicken Run slot:
- Rewarding players with up to 300 coins when five Scatters appear anywhere in view
- Unlocking the free spins feature, which awards additional Free Spins and multipliers
During regular gameplay, Ginger appears relatively infrequently but offers more opportunities during the Free Spins bonus round.
Bonus Features
The Chicken Run slot boasts an exciting array of features to keep players entertained:
- Chicken Frenzy Bonus : This feature awards additional spins with stacked Wilds when three or four Scatters appear on any reels.
- Free Spins Feature : Reaching the Free Spins by landing five Ginger Scatter symbols unlocks ten free games, complete with Zany Farm Dogs’ Extra sets and increased Wild values.
- Extra Games Feature : Three or more Ginger Scatter icons unlock an additional set of 10 extra games.
Free Spins
Players can activate the Free Spins feature by landing five Ginger Scatters anywhere in view during regular gameplay. The bonus round awards up to ten free spins with Zany Farm Dog Extra sets, increasing Wild values throughout each spin.
When activated, this feature offers a significant boost to winnings:
- 1-3 Scatter icons: 4 Free Spins
- 4 Scatters: 10 Free Spins + x2 multiplier
- 5 Scatters: 20 Free Spins + x4 multiplier
RTP and Volatility
RTP stands for Return to Player, measuring how much money players can expect the game to return as winnings. Chicken Run’s RTP is set at a relatively low 95.22%. However, this should be taken into account in conjunction with its volatility.
Chicken Run’s volatility level leans towards high-moderate, meaning that while it doesn’t frequently produce massive wins, it maintains an increased potential for significant payouts over prolonged gaming sessions.
Here are some key statistics related to RTP and Volatility:
- RTP : 95.22%
- Volatility : High-Moderate
- Lowest average win per 10 spins : $0.04
Betting Range, Max Win, and Gameplay
The slot’s betting range is quite extensive to cater for various player preferences:
- Coin sizes: From 1¢ (min) to $5.00 (max)
- Number of coins allowed: Up to 20
- Total Bet Amounts: 0.01 – $100
Chicken Run’s maximum win potential stands at an impressive 200,000x the bet amount, reached by hitting a full screen of Zany Farm Dog Wilds.
The gameplay itself is incredibly straightforward:
- Choose your desired coin size and number of coins to bet per spin.
- Click ‘Spin’ to initiate the game
- Watch as the reels spin in sync with the movie’s iconic background music
Mobile Play
As expected from a Microgaming-developed slot, Chicken Run offers seamless mobile compatibility:
- Instant-play : Mobile-optimized version loads instantly within web browsers on smartphones and tablets.
- Native app support : Downloading the casino software often provides native apps for specific platforms (iOS/Android).
- Smooth gameplay experience : The game’s visuals remain sharp, while animations adapt to touchscreen interfaces.
Player Experience
Many slot enthusiasts have expressed their affection for Chicken Run due to its:
- Endearing theme and charming characters
- Engaging bonus features that keep players hooked
- Easy-to-use controls with clear instructions
In particular, seasoned gamers often mention the satisfying experience of hitting a big win while enjoying this classic game’s simple gameplay.
Overall Analysis