Theoretical return to player
96.12%
Minimum bet
0.10
Slot format
Video Slots
Volatility
High
Number of reels
5
Progressive prize
No
Popularity
Maximum bet
100
Slot developer
Thunderkick Gaming
Special features
Yes
Active paylines
9
Central theme
Kraken
Beat the Beast: Kraken’s Lair Slot Review
Thunderkick’s Beat the Beast: Kraken’s Lair is a video slot built around an emblem that works as both wild and scatter. It can substitute for symbols, start the bonus round and contribute to expanding wins. The listed maximum prize is 7,777x the spin bet.
Setting and Story
The game takes players into the Kraken’s domain, where matching symbols across the reels represents a raid beneath the creature’s watch. The imagery includes a giant squid, treasure chests, jewellery from a sunken wreck, a trident and a distinctive emblem. Matching these items can form winning combinations and, in the game’s story, earn a share of the Kraken’s treasure.
Visuals, Audio and Motion
Thunderkick creates a detailed underwater setting in this 3D slot, though the review notes that there are no animations. The reels and features still include moving elements, particularly when ‘Expanding Win’ is active. Bare rocks and shipwrecks evoke a lost world, while colourful symbols depict objects from the Kraken’s lair. The audio is also described as effective, with drums, violins and soft horns forming an exploration-themed score.
Top Casinos to Play Beat the Beast: Kraken’s Lair:
How the Reels Work
Beat the Beast: Kraken’s Lair has a 5x3 reel layout, 9 pay lines and 10 regular symbols. Of these 10 symbols, the pink Kraken pays the most: landing 5 on a pay line awards 500x the spin bet. A payout of 500x the spin bet is described as exceptionally high for a regular-symbol combination in an online slot. A line of 4, 3 or 2 matching symbols pays 50x, 10x or 1.5x the spin bet, respectively.
The golden squid is the slot’s second-highest paying symbol, although its prizes are well below the Kraken’s. A line of 5, 4, 3 or 2 pays 50x, 17.5x, 3x or 0.5x the bet per spin, respectively.
Other illustrated symbols include sunken treasure, a necklace and a trident. Matching 5, 4, 3 or 2 of these on one of the 9 paylines returns prizes ranging from 40x to 0.5x the spin bet. The remaining regular symbols are A, K, Q, J and 10; combinations of 5, 4 or 3 can pay.
The combined scatter/wild symbol offers another way to make a 5-symbol combination. A payline containing 5 of these symbols is listed to pay 500x the spin bet, the same as the pink Kraken.
Bonus Rounds and Free Spins
Kraken Emblem: This emblem combines wild and scatter functions. It can complete paylines by substituting for any regular symbol, and it can also pay a spin-bet multiple when it appears anywhere on the reels without completing a line. Landing 5, 4 or 3 anywhere in view pays 200x, 20x or 2x the total spin bet.
Free spins: Landing 3 ‘Kraken Emblem’ symbols awards 10 free spins. One Kraken Emblem Symbol is placed randomly on the reels at the start of each free spin. Landing another 3 scatters during the free spins round retriggers 10 more spins.
Expanding Win: This base-game feature can contribute a substantial share of wins. When a payline win includes the Kraken emblem as a wild, some symbols expand, potentially creating additional winning combinations.
Bet range, RTP and variance
The listed minimum and maximum bets are 0.10-100.00, adjusted with the ‘number 1’ casino chip on the control panel. Paytable prizes are calculated as multiples of the spin bet, with combinations ranging from 500x down to 0.5x. The free spins round is described as offering the game's largest potential wins, while the ‘Kraken Emblem’ can produce medium-sized base-game prizes through ‘Expanding Win’. The slot is characterized as medium variance, with a theoretical RTP of 96.12%.
Review Summary
Beat the Beast: Kraken’s Lair launched Thunderkick’s Beat the Beast series. At the time the review was written, a second title, Beat the Beast: Mightly Sphinx, had also appeared, and further games were then expected.
The Kraken is the featured beast, and the game lists a top prize of 7,777x the spin bet. Its key feature is the ‘Kraken Emblem’, which substitutes for other symbols, helps trigger expanding symbols and starts the free spins round—the feature identified as the source of the slot’s largest wins.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
