Overview
Chicken Road 2 is a sequel to the popular Chicken Road slot machine game developed by Novomatic, one of the leading software providers in the online gaming industry. The original game was well-received among players due to its exciting gameplay features and high rewards potential. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the new version, analyzing every aspect that contributes to its overall appeal.
Theme and Design
The theme of Chicken chicken-road-2.ie Road 2 remains consistent with the original, focusing on a rural setting where farm animals are featured prominently. The game’s design has undergone significant changes from the first installment, offering an enhanced user experience. The background of the slot machine is now more detailed, showcasing rolling hills and lush greenery as far as the eye can see.
Upon closer inspection, players will notice various farm-themed symbols, including chickens, ducks, sheep, cows, pigs, and horses. These animals are beautifully illustrated, with intricate details that bring them to life on screen. The game’s developers have also added several animated elements, such as birds flying in the background or fluttering around the reels.
Symbols
The standard symbol set consists of the following:
- High-paying symbols:
- Chicken: 10-100x bet
- Duck: 5-50x bet
- Sheep: 3-30x bet
- Medium-paying symbols:
- Pig and Horse are present on some platforms, offering smaller payouts (up to 20x bet)
- Low-paying symbols:
- Numbers from 1-10 represent the lowest-paying combinations in the game.
The wild symbol is represented by a picture of a country road. When it appears on reels 2, 3, and 4, it expands to fill all three positions.
Payouts
As with most online slot machines, payouts are calculated based on winning combinations formed using adjacent symbols (either horizontally or vertically) from the leftmost reel forward. The top-paying combination rewards players with a whopping 10,000x bet when five chicken icons appear in sequence from left to right. Lower-value combos pay out smaller amounts of up to 100x bet.
Wilds and Scatters
The wild country road symbol has two distinct functions:
- Wild Expansion: When the wild appears on reels 2-4 (any position), it expands to occupy all three positions, potentially creating new winning combinations.
- Multiplier Symbol: The expanded wild icon carries a multiplier value of x5 or x10.
Scatter symbols are not present in this game. Instead, a distinct bonus feature, "Bonus Wheels," serves as the trigger for special rewards (explained later).
Bonus Features
One of Chicken Road 2’s standout features is its innovative Bonus Wheel mechanism:
- Land three scatters: Unfortunately, there are no traditional scatter symbols here; however, landing three specific bonus-wheel-activating combinations on reels 3, 4, and 5 triggers the feature.
- Choose your prize: The game offers two types of rewards:
- A multiplier wheel featuring x50, x150, or x250
- A cash reward between x25x bet to x500x bet
This innovative system allows players to pick their desired outcome from a random selection of multipliers and/or cash prizes.
Free Spins
In addition to the Bonus Wheels feature, Chicken Road 2 offers an additional mode called Free Games:
- Trigger: Collect three specific "Farm Frenzy" symbols (corn, sunflower, or watermelon) on reels 3-5 in any combination.
- Activation: The player will receive a predetermined number of free spins between five to nine rounds.
During this phase, the game’s volatility decreases slightly, making it easier for players to accumulate more substantial rewards. Some bonus features may be disabled during Free Games, so consult the paytable and rules section for detailed information on specific characteristics of your local variant.
RTP (Return-to-Player)
Chicken Road 2 has a theoretical Return-To-Player rate of around 95% – 97%. However, it is essential to note that actual RTP values may vary between software providers or platforms. When evaluating this value in the context of overall performance and entertainment, consider other contributing factors like volatility.
Volatility
The slot machine falls under the High-Volatility category due to its rare yet high-paying combinations. As with most games classified as ‘high,’ players should be prepared for longer periods without wins or higher losses during brief moments when it’s paying out well.
Betting Range and Max Win
Stakes in Chicken Road 2 range from 1c (0.01 EUR, AUD, NZD) up to €/£/$100 per line. Since this is a medium-to-high-risk game with large maximum payouts of x10,000 the bet on each spin (€50 max bet), do not play at stakes higher than your budget can afford.
Gameplay
The gameplay experience in Chicken Road 2 is both entertaining and engaging:
- Choose one to five paylines per round.
- Select a betting value that aligns with your preferred risk level.
- Spin the reels by clicking on "Start."
You may also use various options available in the game, such as an Autoplay feature for unattended gameplay sessions.
Mobile Play
As part of Novomatic’s commitment to offering mobile gaming experiences that are on par with their desktop titles, Chicken Road 2 can be accessed directly from a browser or download through mobile app stores. As long as your device meets minimum system requirements (e.g., screen resolution above HD and compatible operating systems), the slot machine should function seamlessly.
Player Experience
Gamblers who prefer engaging gameplay mechanics paired with significant winning potential will appreciate Chicken Road 2:
- Overall design, graphics, and overall presentation are an improvement over its predecessor.
- Innovative "Bonus Wheels" system offers a refreshing twist on traditional bonus rounds or free spins, making the experience more immersive and exciting.
However, for those sensitive to higher volatility slots without substantial payouts between wins might become disheartened. This could be seen as part of what makes Chicken Road 2 appealing; it’s aimed at experienced players seeking an intense gaming atmosphere.
Overall Analysis
The online slot machine "Chicken Road 2" combines visually stunning graphics with enticing gameplay mechanics and generous reward structures, ensuring a thrilling experience for seasoned gamers willing to take on higher risks. Though we would have liked a more comprehensive bonus feature offering larger payouts between individual free games, its unique ‘Bonus Wheel’ system compensates for this drawback in many respects.
Ultimately, Chicken Road 2 serves as an excellent example of how the developer’s continued dedication to evolving and enriching slot machine gameplay has produced another captivating game. While some may find its volatility too high or reward distribution somewhat irregular compared with lower-risk alternatives available within the same provider portfolio or through other suppliers, this title still manages to capture a place among many top-rated slots due to its unique selling points.
With regular payouts possible up to €50,000 (€500 x max bet) and an attractive theoretical RTP range of 95%-97%, we strongly encourage players who appreciate the excitement offered by high-variability slots with significant potential returns on their stakes.