The "Chicken Run" casino slot game is a theme-based online gaming experience that draws inspiration from Aardman Animations’ 2000 film of the same name. The game has been developed by various software providers, but most notably, it’s available on websites powered by Microgaming. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of all aspects of the "Chicken Run" slot machine.
Theme and Design
The slot is set within a farmyard, transporting players into the whimsical world created by Aardman Animations’ Oscar-winning stop-motion film. The game’s design combines nostalgia with modern gaming try Chicken Run for free features. Players can expect to encounter characters from the movie, including Ginger (the protagonist), Rocky (Ginger’s partner in crime), and other lovable animals that help or hinder the plucky chicken duo on their mission.
The slot has five reels, three rows of symbols, and offers a fixed number of paylines – we’ll discuss these further below. The background is set against a rural landscape, complete with rolling hills and clouds. Color schemes predominantly feature earthy tones such as greens, browns, and yellows, which accurately capture the film’s farm setting.
Symbols
The slot machine incorporates both high-paying symbols associated with farm animals (horses, cows, pigs) and lower-paying ones representing playing cards from 9 to Ace. The former offer more substantial rewards when landed in specific combinations on active paylines. Meanwhile, players should not overlook opportunities to land on the movie’s main characters – these provide higher payouts than regular farm animal symbols.
Payouts
The payout system for "Chicken Run" is typical of many modern slot machines: a combination of fixed coin values and variable betting amounts (we’ll explore this in more detail later). Payouts are based on specific combinations of matching symbols that appear anywhere, or sometimes from left to right only. High-paying animal symbols often require four-of-a-kind configurations for the maximum payout; whereas lower-paying card values can reward smaller sums with just two of a kind.
Wilds
In this game, Ginger and Rocky – the lovable chicken duo – act as wilds. While these characters typically represent their own unique special abilities within the movie narrative, in "Chicken Run" they function identically to one another (wild). They appear anywhere on reels 2 through 5, except during free spins when no additional wild features are triggered.
When Ginger and Rocky substitute for other symbols – they enable more successful combinations. Furthermore, given their versatility as replacement characters within the movie narrative, it isn’t surprising that they take over this role in-game too!
Scatters
Rocky’s accomplice (Finger) serves as a scatter throughout "Chicken Run." These icons appear only on reels 1 and 5 – unlike Ginger or Rocky. Finger’s presence triggers the ‘Scratch-a-ma-Lot’ feature when landing on both reel positions.
Bonus Features & Free Spins
The bonus features in this slot machine, although straightforward compared to some of Microgaming’s other titles like the Thunderstruck II game series, still offer rewarding gameplay opportunities. The "Finger Frenzy" free spins round (or ‘Scratch-a-ma-Lot’ as it is more commonly referred) awards a varying number – up to 20 – non-persisting free spin credits that players cannot re-trigger while active.