5 Lions Megaways 2

5 Lions Megaways 2 Review

Pragmatic Play is a leading iGaming developer that is known for its affinity for following up its most successful slots. There are dozens of examples, and there is no need to water this review with such content. However, there is one spinning machine that was not sequeled, and in February, we'll finally meet 5 Lions Megaways 2.

In June 2021, Pragmatic Play introduced 5 Lions Megaways, which turned out to be a blockbuster, thanks to the innovative mechanics by BTG. Moreover, the game offered 7 Free Spins modes, random wild multipliers, and a lot of action. Despite the encouraging numbers, a sequel was postponed but now, it's already on schedule.

5 Lions Megaways 2 is bigger, brighter, and more powerful with extra bonus modes, more impressive multipliers, and a Level Up feature. The Megaways mechanics are enhanced with a Tumble feature, which delivers multiple winning chances per spin. Winning symbols disappear, triggering tumbles, and new ones drop from above.

The grid size is the same - 6 reels but this time with up to 8 symbol positions on each one. That generates up to 262,144 ways to win orientated from the leftmost reel to the right compared to the 200,704 ways in 5 Lions Megaways. As usual, symbols must fall on adjacent reels and at least in the minimum numbers as per the Paytable.

5 Lions Megaways 2 offers all the tech tools that the Pragmatic Play fanbase is used to having at hand - Quickspin, Autoplay, Turbo Mode, etc. Several purchasing options and a bet booster are also active in the regions where they are not restricted by the regulatory authorities. The audio and visuals are supreme, as anyone would expect from a high-tiered provider!

5 Lions Megaways 2 Slot - Game Screen

5 Lions Megaways 2 packs high-tiered symbols in the form of mythological creatures and low-valued card royalties and numbers. Dragons pay the most - 1x to 25x for 3 to 6 on adjacent reels, followed by Phoenixes and Frogs - up to 5x, and Koi Fish and Turtles awarding up to 2.50x the bet.

The low-tiered figures, A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9, pay between 0.10x to 1.25x the stake. The Golden Lion is a wild symbol and substitutes for all of these characters but has no power over scatters, super scatters, and Level Up Coins in the bonus. The 5 Lions Megaways 2 RTP ranges and the highest rate is 96.50%.

The alternatives are 95.50% and 94.50%, but you better avoid them due to the high levels of volatility. In terms of payout rates, the game is identical to the original. However, the max win is increased to 8,000x the bet from the weaker 5,000x. The probability of hitting the ultimate prize is also better, although it remains slim - 1 in 615,385 spins.

Overall, the winning potential is also low, given the fact that, after all, it is a Megaways slot. The Hit Frequency is expected - 21.32% or 1 in 4.69 spins, and won't impress those who seek increased dynamics. Bets in the 5 Lions Megaways 2 slot start at €0.20 and reach €240 per spin, or up to €600 via Ante Bet.

5 Lions Megaways 2 Features

5 Lions Megaways 2 retains the mechanics and features from the 2021 game and adds a few extras. Players will appreciate the new tier in wild multipliers and the new Free Spins mode. Moreover, the bonus minigame is heavily enhanced with a Level Up feature, which increases its payout potential, as well as its duration.

Wild Multipliers

A random multiplier is added to all winning combinations during the base spins and tumbles when at least one wild symbol is in view. It multiplies the combinations formed with the help of wilds and, during the base game, can be 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 8x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 30x, 40x, and 100x. The new tier here is 100x, which is rare but has solid potential!

Free Spins Choosing Mode

Scatters and Super Scatters are the key to the Free Spins bonus in 5 Lions Megaways 2. A combination of any 3, 4, 5, or 6 of them triggers the minigame and pays a cash prize of 3x, 5x, 25x, and 100x the bet, respectively. Regular scatters activate Free Spins, while a combination with at least one Super Scatter triggers Super Free Spins.

Before starting the bonus, players have to choose one of eight possible combinations, as shown below. During the minigame, only wild multipliers from the selected range will appear when wilds hit the board. In case Super Free Spins is activated, from 1 to 10 extra free spins will be added, and the bonus will start from Level 2.

• 25 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 2x, 3x, 5x, or 8x;
• 20 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 3x, 5x, 8x, or 10x;
• 15 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 5x, 8x, 10x, or 15x;
• 13 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 8x, 10x, 15x, or 20x;
• 10 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 10x, 15x, 20x, or 30x;
• 7 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 15x, 20x, 30x, or 40x;
• 5 Free Spins with wild multipliers of 20x, 30x, 40x, or 100x;
• Mystery number of Free Spins with Mystery wild multipliers.

Free Spins Bonus

Level Up Coin is a new symbol, and it may randomly appear during free spins or tumbles. These are collected to a Meter above the reels, and the 3rd Level Up Coin upgrades the bonus to Level 2: + 3 free spins, and the lowest wild multiplier is removed. Three of these symbols after that will activate Level 3.

Another wild multiplier value, the lowest one, will be removed from the possible multipliers, and 3 extra free spins will be added. The same will happen after the 3rd portion of 3 collected Level Up Coins and Level 4. It is the last tier on the Meter, and only one wild multiplier value, the highest one, will remain active. From that moment on, 3 collected bonus symbols will only add 3 extra rounds.

If Free Spins is activated with only Super Scatters, the Max Free Spins bonus will be in play. In this type of bonus, the Level Up mechanic will be disabled, and collected Coins will only add extra free spins. Moreover, the minigame will have an initial duration of 35 free spins with a 100x wild multiplier.

Buy Free Spins

Pragmatic Play loves to equip its online slots with bet boosters and Buy Bonus features. The Ante Bet in 5 Lions Megaways 5 will increase the base bet by 2.5x, but the chance of triggering the bonus will be naturally 7x. The RTP rate remains the same, just like if you activate a Bonus Buy feature.

Buy Free Spins in the game offers 3 options at certain prices. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee of success, and honestly, I was not very lucky while testing this functionality. Therefore, I recommend approaching the panel with caution:

• Buy Free Spins - 100x the bet - minimum 3 regular scatters are guaranteed to land;
• Buy Super - 150x the bet - activate Super Free Spins with at least 1 Super Scatter;
• Buy Mystery - 500x the bet - activate randomly Free Spins, Super Free Spins, or Max Free Spins.

Theme & Graphics

5 Lions Megaways 2 follows the script and vibe of the original. The slot utilizes an Asian theme inspired by mascots of prosperity and power, like turtles, frogs, dragons, and, of course, lions. In Chinese mythology, lions are imperial guardians and are considered symbols of protection and strength. They are common architectural ornaments and are often used by game developers, too.

5 Lions Megaways 2 is very similar visually to the first title and comes with a large, gold-framed grid on a blue, patterned background. The wall presents the sky and sea in a typical Asian art style. The quality of graphics is slightly improved, and colors seem a bit brighter. The audio is kept unchanged, which was a good decision, in my humble opinion.

The game impresses with more sophisticated animation effects and attention to detail. It ideally fits any screen due to advanced HTML5 optimization. As part of this review, I tested the title on Android and iOS smartphones and recommend landscape mode and the Chrome browser. A minor letdown is the size of the game, which I'm confident has been increased.

Pros And Cons Of 5 Lions Megaways 2 Slot

Our Verdict

Overall, 5 Lions Megaways 2 provides an upgraded gameplay with retained mechanics and key features. Players who enjoyed the game released in 2021 will most probably appreciate the sequel, too. At first glance, the enhancements are not major, but their effect on the game's payout potential is obvious.

Besides the extra wild multiplier value (100x) and the Mystery Free Spins option, the game offers Level Up Coin, which works well. This brings the 5 Lions series in a new direction with a more complex bonus. I wish to highlight the decreased max win probability (1 in 615,385 spins), but sadly, the bonus triggering frequency remains extremely high - 1 in 420.32 spins. So, in conclusion, I will say that the title is worth the spin, but only after careful planning.