Hacksaw GamingMarlin Masters Review
| A slot game centered around fishing, perfect for casual gamers
Marlin Masters is poised to attract players who prefer a more laid-back gaming experience. With betting options ranging from as low as $0.10 to a maximum of $100, it may not cater to high-stakes gamers but offers a comfortable betting experience for those who prefer less risk. However, managing your budget is still wise since the game's medium-high volatility and its 14 paylines may lead to quicker bankroll depletion than expected. The Marlin Masters slot is filled with exciting features , boasting three different kinds of free spin bonuses and a bonus buy option. In addition, multipliers, Wild symbols, and unique icons enhance the excitement of this 5x4 slot. Visually, this game captivates players with its vibrant imagery and intricate designs that create a relaxing atmosphere. |
Marlin Masters symbols and payouts
We always start our reviews of the most acclaimed online slots in Canada similarly to how we approach this Marlin Masters analysis: by discussing the key symbols and payout structure of the game.
Game symbols
In Marlin Masters, players will find nine different symbols that provide payouts , excluding the wild symbol, which itself can also generate rewards. There are five symbols with lower payouts: 10, J, Q, K, and A, all offering the same payout values. Meanwhile, the four higher-value symbols feature colorful fish: brown, green, red, and blue. The brown and green fish provide identical payout options, just like the red and blue fish.
Interestingly, while the red and blue fish offer respectable payouts, the wild symbol has the highest payout value; however, it requires appearing on all five reels to generate this payout.
Maximum win and paylines
Marlin Masters offers an impressive maximum win of 7,500x with 14 paylines . Winning combinations must begin from the leftmost reel.
Marlin Masters special features
Hacksaw Gaming is renowned for its cutting-edge special features, and Marlin Masters exemplifies this with its innovative gameplay. Wilds, free spins, bonus rounds, and unique symbols are just a few elements that make this slot special.
Wild symbol
The wild symbol in Marlin Masters is represented by a W-shaped anchor. It has the ability to replace any standard paying symbol on the reels to establish winning paylines and is featured both in standard gameplay as well as during the free spin bonus rounds.
As stated previously, the wild symbol also generates payouts when it lands across all five reels, earning a maximum payout of 20 times the bet.
Fisherman symbol
During the free spins rounds, players will encounter the Fisherman symbol, which collects cash prizes from all Marlin symbols present on the board, regardless of their placement. Additionally, this symbol comes with multipliers that can reach up to 20 times, enhancing the total win before it's distributed. If multiple Fisherman symbols appear simultaneously, they will combine to amass all the collected fish for an even bigger win!
Marlin symbol
Marlin symbols reveal cash values that players can accumulate during gameplay. These values can range as low as 1x the current bet to a staggering 1,000x. Players can secure these cash values by landing three Marlin symbols along a payline or by having them gathered by the Fisherman.
Free Spins symbol
A wooden box featuring the letters FS will trigger free spins rounds if at least three of these symbols appear on the reels.
Free Spins
Players can enjoy three distinct free spin bonus games in Marlin Masters:
Reel It In
The Reel It In bonus is activated whenever three Free Spins symbols appear on the reels. This grants 10 free spins along with the Marlin Progress Bar. Each time a Fisherman lands on the reels, the Marlin Progress Bar is advanced, even if the Fisherman doesn't tally any Marlins during that spin.
The Marlin Progress Bar is divided into several levels, each offering additional free spins and varying multipliers:
- Upgrade 1: Additional 10 Free Spins, with all Fisherman symbols carrying a minimum multiplier of 2x.
- Upgrade 2: Additional 10 Free Spins, where all Fisherman symbols have a minimum multiplier of 4x.
- Upgrade 3: Additional 10 Free Spins, providing all Fisherman symbols with a minimum multiplier of 10x.
Off The Hook
Landing four Free Spins symbols will trigger the Off The Hook free spins bonus, providing players with 15 free spins alongside the potent Marlin Progress Bar featuring more lucrative upgrades. From the very first spin, all Fisherman symbols automatically boast a minimum multiplier of 2x, which may only increase.
- Upgrade 1: 15 more Free Spins, with all Fisherman symbols featuring a minimum multiplier of 4x.
- Upgrade 2: 15 more Free Spins, and all Fisherman symbols have a minimum multiplier of 10x.
- Upgrade 3: 15 additional Free Spins, and all Fisherman symbols come with a minimum multiplier of 15x.
Plenty Of Fish In The Sea
When players land five Free Spins symbols, it will activate the Plenty Of Fish In The Sea bonus round, granting 10 free spins . Throughout this round, every Marlin symbol possesses a base multiplier of 5x, with at least one Marlin and one Fisherman symbol guaranteed to appear during each spin.
Bonus buy
For bonus buy slots , Marlin Masters holds its ground firmly with four different buying options . Players can purchase four distinct features, each one with its own volatility level.
- The first option is BonusHunt Featurespins . Once activated, each spin has a significantly higher chance, five times more likely to activate a free spins bonus round. This particular feature costs 3 times your current stake, with each spin carrying the same cost. The RTP for this feature stands at 96.31%.
- Fishy Featurespins ranks second, where every spin ensures that a minimum of one Fisherman symbol and two Marlin symbols will appear on the reels. This feature has a price of 50 times your current wager, and each spin incurs the same cost. The return to player (RTP) for this feature stands at 96.25%.
- Additionally, players have the option to purchase the Reel It In and Off The Hook free spins bonus rounds. The cost for the Reel It In feature is 65 times your current stake, while the Off The Hook feature costs 200 times. When acquiring these free spin rounds, their RTPs are 96.27% and 96.30%, correspondingly.
| Three free spins are quite a catch
What truly sets this slot apart are its three distinct types of free spins rounds. While they share similarities, each offers unique multipliers and features that modify the winning potential, keeping the game exciting for players. The BonusHunt and Fishy Featurespins you can buy are also interesting elements, but remember the investment required. |
Marlin Masters graphics & sound
The visual appeal of this slot is impressive, filled with numerous intricate details that make it vibrant and engaging .
In the background of the game, we see a fishing vessel navigating the sea, equipped with fishing rods on both sides. These rods lively animate when the Fisherman symbol gathers Marlin cash values. A cloudy sky with glimpses of sunshine and seagulls also decorates the backdrop. During the free spins, the scenery remains unchanged, apart from the appearance of two fishermen in small boats flanking the grid.
The symbols stick to the bright and detailed aesthetic of the slot. The border of the grid resembles timber outfitted with pulleys and ropes draping from it, alongside hooks and buoys. Throughout the game, these ropes are softly animated, moving as if gently swaying in a sea breeze.
The soundtrack accompanying the slot features a lively tune driven by an electric banjo, which adds an interesting twist to the serene fishing atmosphere . The game also incorporates ambient sounds, such as the waves crashing against the boat and seagulls overhead. The sound of spinning reels mimics the whir of a mechanical rod being reeled in.
| Graphics | Detailed, high-quality 2D graphics |
| Optimized for Mobile | 👍 |
| Music | Catchy electric banjo music themed around fishing |
| Special features | Wilds, Free Spins, Scatters, Bonus Purchase, Marlin symbols, Fisherman symbols, BonusHunt Featurespins, Fishy Featurespins |
Marlin Masters mobile experience
Hacksaw Gaming consistently creates games with comprehensive mobile functionality, enabling players to enjoy their slots while on the move. This applies to Marlin Masters too.
The slot seamlessly adapts to mobile devices in both landscape and portrait orientations. The symbols and buttons are large and easy to read, delivering an experience as smooth as the finest mobile slots available in Canada.
| High-quality graphics and sound that translate effectively to mobile devices
Hacksaw Gaming ensures that the visuals and soundtrack of their slots are well-aligned with the overall theme. With exceptional graphics, the transition to smaller screens is crucial. Fortunately, Marlin Masters retains its impressive details on mobile, and the game maintains its smooth performance. |
Marlin Masters pros & cons
In addition to its stunning artwork, Marlin Masters offers several other significant advantages. With an RTP of 96.24%, it exceeds the average, featuring a potential maximum win of 7,500x . The slot is also rich in special features, allowing for substantial multipliers up to 1,000x and multiple free spins rounds .
However, it's important to point out a few drawbacks. Despite having a decent RTP, the medium-high volatility and limited 14 paylines influence the hit rate of Marlin Masters. Consequently, it doesn’t deliver frequent payouts. The base game returns are also lower, which means the larger wins primarily come from special features . During free spins, Fisherman symbols are not common, indicating that you’ll benefit from cash values only if Marlin symbols align on a payline.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 96.24% RTP | Medium-high volatility |
| 7,500x max win | Base game payouts are low |
| 3 Free Spins bonus games | |
| Potential for big multipliers | |
| Bonus buy feature |
| Impressive visuals and features, but limited hit rates and payouts
It's disappointing that the slot's hit rate is somewhat low and the base payouts fall short. Given the stunning graphics and thrilling special features, the limited returns can feel underwhelming. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable slot with potential for substantial wins, particularly when multipliers play a role, but players might find that the average payouts occur infrequently and are often modest. |
Top online casinos to play Marlin Masters in Canada
If you're eager for a fishing adventure and want to try Marlin Masters, here are the top online casinos in Canada offering the game:
Troubleshooting tips for Marlin Masters
If you run into any difficulties, here’s a set of recommendations from our review of Marlin Masters to keep in mind:
- Malfunction voids all pays and plays.
- Always reach out to your casino's customer support team for further assistance.
- If you get disconnected, any unfinished round can be picked up again simply by restarting the game.
- Only the results of completed rounds will appear in the game history.
Ready to master the big blue sea?
Hacksaw Gaming consistently delivers high-quality, immersive slots, and Marlin Masters is no exception. The potential maximum win of 7,500x is remarkable, and with all the special features in this slot, there’s plenty to keep players entertained .
The existence of three different types of free spins bonus rounds, each with unique bonus features, is certainly a welcome addition. The multipliers and Marlin symbols can lead to some substantial payouts . Designed aesthetically, the slot provides a great visual and auditory experience with several elaborate details that enrich the gaming journey .
That said, there are aspects where the slot could improve. Its medium-high volatility combined with a mere 14 paylines means that players may experience a lower hit rate, which may disappoint those expecting more from all its bonus features.
Fisherman symbols appear infrequently, making it challenging to accumulate Marlin symbols unless they coincidentally align on a payline. Furthermore, base game payouts tend to be on the lower side unless players make larger bets.
Overall, our review of Marlin Masters determined it to be a solid choice for casual gamers, but it may not be the best fit for seasoned high-stakes players, so we conclude with a score of 82/100 .
Other slots worth trying if you enjoy Marlin Masters
If you're a fan of fishing-themed slots, there are a few more popular titles that you should consider playing in Canada:
Frequently Asked Questions
