Merlin Journey of Flame
Judging by the initial visuals, the prospects look promising. Midas Golden Touch 2 retains a sense of familiarity from the original, but the artwork appears crisper, more defined, exuding a regal aura. Set against a backdrop of majestic columns, both in the base game and during free spins, Midas Golden Touch 2 conjures imagery fit for a monarch, evoking the image of a wise ruler casually transforming mundane objects into treasures of untold worth. In essence, Midas Golden Touch 2 presents a visually pleasing spectacle, leaving a favorable first impression.
However, when delving into the statistics, things might become a bit perplexing for some players. Particularly noteworthy is the RTP, which stands at 94.27%, a decrease from the original’s 96.1%. Coupled with its high volatility, Midas Golden Touch 2 unfolds across a 5-reel layout, each reel adorned with 3 rows and intersected by 15 paylines. Betting options range from 10 cents to $/€100 per spin, with players given the option to purchase the free spins round or activate one of two Bet+ features. The first, Bonus Boost, increases the stake by 50%, doubling the likelihood of triggering the bonus game (RTP 94.55%), while the second, Bonus Boost Plus, triples the stake, quintupling the chance of activating the bonus game (RTP 94.63%).
Symbol-wise, Midas Golden Touch 2 retains familiar elements, featuring low-paying symbols represented by 9-A card ranks, offering payouts of 5 to 7.5 times the bet for landing five-of-a-kind combinations. The high-paying symbols include a treasure box, a goblet, a crown, and King Midas himself, rewarding players with 15 to 75 times the bet for similar winning combinations.
In terms of gameplay, Midas Golden Touch 2 largely follows the original’s blueprint, incorporating features such as the wild symbol multiplier, free spins with Sticky Respins, the Gift of Midas base game feature, a feature buy option, and the Epic Wild symbol appearing during free spins.
Merlin Journey of Flame – Wild Symbol
The wild symbol substitutes for all symbols except the scatter, with the payline containing a wild applying a multiplier based on the number of wilds present. Multipliers range from x2 for one wild to x32 for five wilds, with a winning line of wilds holding the same value as the King Midas pay symbol.
Merlin Journey of Flame – Gift of Midas Feature
Randomly triggered in the base game, the Gift of Midas feature introduces special symbols onto the reels, adding 1 to 9 wilds or 1 to 3 scatters in random positions.
Merlin Journey of Flame – Free Spins Bonus
Triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 scatter symbols, players receive 8, 10, or 12 free spins, respectively. During free spins, any win triggers a Sticky Respin feature, locking winning symbols in place while the remaining symbols respin. An Epic Wild symbol is added at the start of each free spin, starting with a x2 multiplier and doubling with every three collected scatters, up to a maximum of x32.
Merlin Journey of Flame – Feature Buy
Players can purchase entrance to the free spins bonus for 100x the bet, with an associated RTP of 94.75%.
While reviewing Midas Golden Touch 2, a sense of déjà vu may arise, reminiscent of the Christmas Edition. However, unlike the seasonal remake, Midas Golden Touch 2 offers a more substantial departure from the original. The revamped graphics showcase a noticeable improvement, particularly in the intricately designed floor beneath the gaming grid. Reflecting on the gameplay, Midas Golden Touch 2 closely mirrors its predecessor, making it a suitable choice for fans of the original.
Yet, a slight drawback lies in the diminished RTP, echoing a concerning trend seen in other Thunderkick releases. Despite this, the game boasts an enhanced winning potential of 15,000x the bet, surpassing the original and Christmas Edition’s 10,100x. Nevertheless, divine intervention akin to King Midas’s touch may be necessary to transform this sequel into a golden success.
In summary, Midas Golden Touch 2 serves as an incremental sequel rather than a groundbreaking innovation. For enthusiasts of the original, it offers a familiar yet refined experience. However, the reduced RTP may sway discerning gamblers in favor of the original release, underscoring its significance as a determining factor.
Merlin Journey of Flame
Title: Midas Golden Touch 2
Developer: Thunderkick
Reels: 5
Rows: 3
Paylines: 15
RTP: 94.27%
Max Win: 15,000x
Volatility: High
Min/Max Bet: 0.10/100
Release Date: April 24, 2024