Chicken Run is a unique online casino slot machine game that revolves around the popular Aardman Animations film of the same name. The game is developed by Playtech, one of the leading software providers in the industry, and features colorful graphics, engaging sound effects, and exciting gameplay elements.
Theme and Design
The theme of Chicken Run is centered around a group of chickens who hatch an escape plan to outsmart their evil chickenrungambling.co.uk farmer. The game’s background depicts a farm setting with rolling hills, fields, and a large farmhouse in the distance. Players will see various farm animals scattered throughout the reels, including cows, pigs, and sheep, as well as birds like eagles, hawks, and parrots.
The design of Chicken Run is highly stylized and cartoonish, reflecting the film’s signature visual style. The symbols used are simple yet recognizable, featuring a range of animal characters from both the game and the movie. Some notable symbols include Ginger, the smart-alecky chicken who serves as the main protagonist; Fowler, the cunning villain; and a mysterious egg that holds the key to their escape.
The game’s color scheme is vibrant and eye-catching, with shades of green, blue, red, and yellow dominating the reels. The layout consists of 5×3 reels and offers multiple paylines for players to choose from. The design elements are highly detailed, making it a visually appealing experience.
Symbols
As mentioned earlier, Chicken Run features various animal symbols that serve as placeholders on the reels. Players will encounter several character symbols based on the film’s story:
- Ginger: Pays out up to 100x the total bet
- Fowler: Pays out up to 20x the total bet
- The Egg: Acts as a wild symbol, substituting other characters
Other animal symbols that appear in lower-paying combinations include:
- Cows (2-5)
- Pigs (2-5)
- Sheep (2-5)
- Eagles (2-5)
- Hawks (2-5)
- Parrots (2-5)
Payouts and Multipliers
Chicken Run follows the standard slot machine payout structure, with each character symbol associated with a specific payment multiplier. Players will earn prizes ranging from 1x to 100x their total bet for landing matching symbols on active paylines.
The game’s maximum potential win is capped at x25,000 during Free Spins mode (explained below).
W Wilds and Scatters
Chicken Run features the aforementioned egg as its wild symbol. While it doesn’t come with a specific payout multiplier, it serves as a substitute for any other character on the reels.
The game does not have a traditional scatter symbol but instead uses Fowler’s Farmhouse as a trigger element (explained in Bonus Features section).
Bonus Features
Chicken Run includes two bonus features:
- Free Spins : Triggered by landing three or more of the "Fowler’s Farmhouse" symbols anywhere on the reels, Free Spins mode offers up to 20 free games with increased payouts. During this feature:
- All wins are multiplied by x2.
- Wilds become sticky and stay in place for each spin.
- A bonus multiplier is applied: starting at x1, it increases by one after every five spins until it reaches a maximum of x5.
- Bonus Wheel : Triggered randomly during gameplay (anytime), the Bonus Wheel feature offers two awards:
- Up to x100 cash prize
- 10-20 Free Spins with increased payouts
The game also includes an "Auto Spin" function, which allows players to choose from various bet settings and spin intervals.
Free Spins
As mentioned in the bonus features section, Chicken Run offers a maximum of 20 free games during Free Spins mode. Payouts increase by x2, with the addition of sticky wilds that remain in place for each spin.
During this feature:
- Up to five reels become locked and cannot be replaced.
- Remaining active reels are shuffled to create new combinations on each subsequent spin.
- Players earn up to 3x multiplier (starting at x1) applied randomly after every three spins until it reaches its maximum value of x5.
RTP, Volatility, Betting Range
Chicken Run offers an average Return-to-Player rate of around 95.06%. The game’s volatility is medium to high, suitable for experienced players and those looking for big wins with reasonable risk exposure.
Players can adjust their bets using the following options:
- Bet from: $0.30
- Max bet: $150
- Number of paylines (1-20)
- Coin value (from 0.01)
Max Win
Chicken Run has a capped maximum win, which is x25,000 during Free Spins mode.
The game does not feature any progressive or accumulative jackpots; however, players can participate in several smaller-scale tournaments organized by participating casinos to boost their rewards.
Gameplay and Mobile Play
Players can enjoy Chicken Run on multiple platforms:
- Desktop: optimized for both Windows and macOS operating systems
- Mobile devices (iOS and Android): fully responsive design with touch-enabled navigation
The gameplay experience is smooth, thanks to the game’s relatively low system requirements. Players will appreciate the intuitive controls and ability to adjust settings according to their preferences.
Player Experience
As expected from any online slot machine game, Chicken Run requires players to adapt quickly to its rules, mechanics, and themes. Beginners might find it essential to familiarize themselves with both the game’s mechanics and Aardman Animations’ original film, enhancing overall enjoyment and recognition of specific character symbols used in gameplay.
Overall Analysis
In conclusion, Chicken Run slot machine games offer a delightful combination of fun-filled action and rewarding wins, especially during its engaging Free Spins feature. Players interested in visually rich environments paired with entertaining animal characters will appreciate the unique blend that Playtech brings to this creation based on an already popular franchise.
While not particularly innovative or groundbreaking when compared to more recent titles from other software providers, Chicken Run’s strengths lie within its ability to execute familiar gameplay elements well and cater to a range of player preferences. With generous payout potential during bonus rounds combined with the opportunity to engage with beloved characters like Ginger and Fowler, this game stands out among others in the slot machine market.
Chicken Run might appeal more towards those interested in slots tied directly to their favorite movies or who are willing to revisit old childhood memories while playing. Despite its potential for medium-sized rewards (especially within Free Spins mode), it has become increasingly clear that Chicken Run, much like any online casino game, relies on consistency as an essential aspect of player retention and overall enjoyment.